APPENDIX A.—DIARY OF THE EXPEDITION. 
63 
appears from the road to terminate; and descending again into the valley of the Salt Plain, I 
found that what has been considered the terminus of the Guadalupe mountains is merely a 
spur running out from the main range in a southwesterly direction into the Salt Plain—the 
main range itself continuing uninterruptedly in the same course as it has north of the spur for 
many miles. I proceeded on for about fifteen miles on a southeast course, and found the 
mountains became higher and more rugged as I advanced along their base, retaining this 
character for about thirty miles to the south, where they appeared to terminate against the 
northeastern slopes of a range of mountains which extends from the northwest across their 
course. Being now more than a day without water, and having travelled over a hundred miles 
from our camp at the mouth of Delaware creek, and the object of the expedition having been 
accomplished, I at this point turned hack, and, following my trail for about ten miles, bore off 
northeast across .the mountains, direct for Delaware springs. Ascending canons, and leading 
our animals up the almost perpendicular sides of the mountains, I encamped towards evening 
near three beautiful natural tanks of water, which I discovered by following an Indian trail. 
The next morning, (March 13,) starting a few moments before 6, and crossing the dividing 
ridge of the Delaware valley and the Salt Plain, I followed, in a northeast direction for about 
fifteen miles, a ravine which afterwards became a canon; then, hearing more to the north, and 
crossing a succession of low hills, I struck the road near the head springs of Delaware creek, 
and encamped at the springs at 2| o’clock p. m. 
In conclusion, I have to report that there is not, within forty miles of the high peak of the 
Guadalupe mountains, a pass through them more practicable than the one which the road now 
traverses; that which appears from the road to he the terminus of these mountains, and has 
been generally considered as such, is a spur running out into the Salt Plain—the main range 
itself continuing without interruption for seventy or eighty miles east of south from the high 
peak, becoming more impracticable as you proceed to the southward; that the chain of Salt 
lakes which lie along the western base of the Guadalupe mountains, and which have been sup¬ 
posed to have their outlet into the Pecos around the southern and eastern bases of the range of 
bluffs extending south and east from the high peak of the Guadalupe range, have no such 
outlet. 
I found grama-grass of good quality in great abundance along the entire route both going and 
returning, and water in the following places, viz: in natural tanks about thirty-five miles south¬ 
west from the head springs of Delaware creek, and about twenty miles east of south from the high 
peak of Guadalupe mountains; and again in water-holes for three miles along the course of a 
ravine in a direction north, and about five miles from the tanks. The water in all these places 
was rain-water, collected in natural cisterns; hut from their appearance, and the quantity of 
water in them, it is likely it can he found there at all seasons of the year. These points are no 
doubt the habitual resorts of the Apache Indians, as there were numerous well-beaten trails 
leading to them from all directions, signs of frequent encampments in the neighborhood, and 
figures drawn by the Indians upon the rocks, sketches of which are to he found in my note¬ 
book. We saw also at the tanks fresh tracks of a party of Indians who had evidently passed 
only a few hours before uS. 
There was no large timber of any kind along the routes, hut in many places along the ridges 
there is a considerable growth of scruh-pine and cedar. 
I transmit herewith a sketch of the route pursued by the party. 
I am, Captain, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
KENNER GARRARD, 
Lieutenant First Dragoons , Assistant on Survey. 
Brevet Captain J. Pope, 
Top. Engineers , Commanding Exploring Party. 
Observations for the time made during the day. The heavens cloudy at night. The mules 
