DESCRIPTION OP THE COUNTRY. 
43 
west. At station 6, about 2 miles west of and 40 feet below station 5, the width between bluff 
banks is a quarter of a mile. From this point the ravine becomes abrupt, descending the 
western slope of the mountain-ridge with a rapid declivity to a broad valley which sweeps 
from the north, and turning the S.E. base of Marl hill, leads between sandy slopes to Soda 
lake. From station 6 to station A, where the trail intersects the Sand-hill valley, the distance 
is seven and a half miles, and the descent 1,538 feet. The crest of the mountain, however 
being passed, gravelly slopes proceed from between stations 6 and 7 ; and by edging along the 
foot of the crest, above stations 7 and 8, and bending to the north, this valley may be reached 
several miles above station A, where the increased altitude and the natural declivity of the 
prairie would enable the engineer to locate a track for a road with a grade not much exceeding 
100 feet per mile. The distance thence, by the course of the valley, to Camp 42, at Soda lake, 
s about 45 miles, with a descent of 2,618 feet, averaging nearly 60 feet per mile. The first 
portion of this distance, however, would be steeper than that near the lake, and the maximum 
would be from 90 to 100 feet per mile. 
From the crossing of Sand-hill valley the trail led over an ascending prairie to Marl Springs. 
These issue from the foot of a granitic ridge, furnishing a small quantity of water at the 
surface. There is grass upon the hill-sides and at a few spots upon the plains, but the region 
is generally characterized by barrenness. Yucca trees and chamisa shrubs relieve its nakedness. 
From the springs a valley several miles in width leads in a southerly course to Sand-hill valley. 
Westward of Marl Springs there are high broken prairies, over which the trail passed. These 
are rocky and nearly destitute of vegetation. Upon the north of station 8 there is a large 
black mountain, beyond which appears a broad valley, parallel to the trail until opposite station 
10. Beyond this station the trail turns toward the southwest, and descends a steep ravine to 
Camp 141, which is in a dry gorge between two mountains, where grass was found upon 
the slopes. 
For three miles from Camp 141 the trail descends a gradually sloping prairie, with a declivity 
of about 200 feet per mile, to the border of a broad basin of white sand. This is a perfect 
desert, extending six miles to station 2. The surface is generally hard enough to bear the 
weight of horses. Opposite station D, upon the left, is a ridge of hills, with drifted sand 
piled upon the northwestern sides. Upon the right, seven miles distant, appears a high moun¬ 
tain range. Between stations 1 and 2 is a rocky ridge upon the north, with bluff sides from 
200 to 300 feet in height. Beyond, the hills recede, leaving a wide vista north and south, 
apparently level for a great distance. At station 2 there are a few small sand-hills which lie 
upon the border of a dry lake, its surface indurated with ferruginous exhalations, or encrusted 
with white efflorescent salt. It extends toward the north, and is about four miles and a half in 
width between station 2 and Camp 142. 
Camp 142 is upon the western border of the lake, 1,000 feet above the level of the sea. An 
abundance of rank, coarse grass grows in the vicinity, and large pools of brackish water were 
obtained by turning aside the marshy sod. Upon the north-northwest, about one mile and a 
half distant, there is a range of hills, upon the eastern slopes of which were Indian camp fires, 
and hence, probably, springs of water. Six miles south of camp there is another range of 
hills, and at a greater distance a high mountain is visible above it. 
Leaving Soda lake we again entered a field of sand. It was loose, yielding to the pressure 
of feet, and occasionally drifted into hillocks. Upon the north and south, many miles distant, 
are ranges of high hills, seeming to enclose this desert space, which extends westward from 
Soda lake to Camp 143, twelve miles, with a uniform acclivity of 18 feet per mile. Here we 
first meet the flowing waters of Mojave river. At Camp 143 it is a clear and rapid rivulet. A 
short distance below, upon the north of the trail, it is lost in a bed of sand. 
We now ascend the banks of Mojave river and enter a canon, formed by the near approach 
of two ranges of hills about 300 feet in height. Near station 1 the canon is contracted to 200 
yards in width. At another narrow point, between stations 2 and 3, it is 300 yards wide. 
