44 
GALISTEO.—LOS CERRITOS. 
to graze somewhere in the neighborhood during the winter, from which it may he inferred that 
a moderate climate, with little snow, characterizes this region. 
October 1.—Our party was again divided ; one portion carrying on the survey direct to Albu¬ 
querque, while another proceeded to make examinations towards Galisteo. 
For two or three miles the latter route passed over an undulating country, and then led to a 
ravine, which conducted us for several miles in a straight course, along a descent inappreciable 
to the eye. An adobe house indicated permanent water near, and the name “ Canon Co¬ 
manche” suggested a reason why the building was tenantless. Passing three trifling spurs, we 
traversed pleasant valleys among mesa heights to the head of a branch of Rio Galisteo. The 
stream at this place threads a narrow gorge, the road passing over a small rocky ridge fifty 
feet high. Descending, we crossed the brook, a few feet wide, and followed its bank. Accord¬ 
ing to the Mexicans, it is five leagues fiom the crossing to Galisteo. Pursuing the valley three 
or four miles beyond, another branch coming from the left united with the former, making a 
good-sized stream, but so sluggish that its current was scarcely perceptible. At the junction 
of the creeks the country spreads out into extensive prairies, nearly enclosed by distant hills. 
We now saw the Gold mountains, west; the Santa Fe mountains, north; and towards the 
northwest the distant range of the Jemez mountains beyond Rio del Norte. Continuing along 
the wide valley, we came to a much larger affluent which was called Arroyo de la Xara, coming 
from the northeast. The distance between its bluff banks was from one hundred to one hun¬ 
dred and fifty feet, and a wide open valley seemed to extend uninterruptedly in a westerly 
course to the Rio del Norte. The lofty mountains beyond that river now stood in bold relief 
before us, not a hill intervening. Crossing a little ridge, we came in sight of a lake, beyond 
which were the brown adobe walls and white church gable of the village of Galisteo. The true 
Rio de Galisteo, jiroceeding from the north, washes the foot of the town, and soon after unites 
with Arroyo de la Xara on its course to the del Norte. We encamped near the plaza, and were 
soon after visited by Major Weightman and Judge Baird, direct from Albuquerque, on their 
way to the county court at San Miguel. 
The country traversed to-day appeared to be an extensive plain ; but by barometric observa¬ 
tions, we find ourselves seven hundred feet below La Laguna. The distance is estimated at 
twenty-eight miles. Grass and water were abundant, but there was scarcely a tree to be seen 
along the road. Judge Baird says, that in the canon from San Antonio to Albuquerque, 
through which he has just passed, there are beds of good coal. Timber is abundant upon the 
mountains. 
The long storm which commenced on our arrival at Anton Chico has entirely passed away. 
The evening is calm and mild, the sky cloudless, and, as usual in this climate, meteors fre¬ 
quently shoot across the heavens, leaving behind long trains of light. 
October 2.—Having despatched a messenger to Santa Fe with an official letter for the mail, 
we took leave of Galisteo. The main road to Albuquerque, or Rio Abajo, as it is here called, 
passes through the>gold mines, San Antonio, and the canon at Carnuel. Few have business 
leading them directly to the mouth of Galisteo river. Those who do, travel on foot or horse¬ 
back, following a trail about thirty miles along the valley, which, cut up by small ravines, is 
not favorable for wagons. There was said to be a road, on the mesa to the right, commanding 
a good view of the stream, and this we proposed to follow. Crossing a creek, we ascended to a 
high prairie, and for four or five miles pursued a northerly course towards Santa Fe. Then, 
turning north 75° west, we continued fifteen miles farther to Delgado’s rancho, called Los 
Cerritos, from the small rounded hills surrounding it. Near by are several springs boiling 
from the ground, and furnishing a perpetual supply of water. The basin in which they are 
situated proves, on examination, to be the crater of an extinct volcano. Here the road forks, 
and the one to the left, which we desire to take, is said to be impassable from some temporary 
cause. The other is very rough and more circuitous, it being five leagues by it to San Do¬ 
mingo. Therefore, as we could not accomplish the march before dark, it was thought best to 
