Cunningham Gulch. Such a line of railway in connection with this tramway seems to me to be, from its less probable cost and near approach to the various mining districts, to be the project most likely to be remunerative. At Antelope Park it would pass within 30 miles of the mines on the Lake Fork of the Gunnison, and would also be the outlet of the mining region about the headwaters of the Uncompahgre.

From the south the most promising route to examine for a railroad route seems to be that via the valley of the Chama to Abiquiu; thence to Cañon Largo, thence to the San Juan River, thence via its cañon and that of the Animas to Animas Park, 40 miles south from the Baker's Park mines. Above this point the Animas flows in a narrow cañon for some 11 miles from Cascade Creek, which does not seem to offer a very promising route, and the benchlike valley along the west side of the Animas can only be attained by a road with gradients of 300 feet per mile. Above the mouth of Cascade Creek practicable gradients may be secured by blasting along the sides of the Animas Cañon and the road carried into Baker's Park. Such a route at best, like the northern one, must be, from the nature of the mountains and mesas of the San Juan area, very tortuous and expensive in its construction, and, for a railroad, with steep gradients at many points.

If the Denver and Rio Grande Railway should succeed in entering the valley of the Rio Grande above Taos, a branch route to the mouth of Pole Creek would certainly be the most advantageous line to secure the freights of the mining district. If the Thirtyfifth Parallel route be ever completed, the communications with the south may, perhaps, be simplified, since the drainage lines of the San Juan River being all in approximately north and south directions, may offer practicable gradients for a branch railroad along lines not interrupted by vertical walls or deep cañons. Beyond the freights of the mining-camp of the La Plata range, and the possibility of reaching the mines of the upper Animas by way of the cañon of that stream, there does not seem to be anything to induce the construction of more than a good wagon-route along or near the southern route. In the valley of the Gunnison and Grand and Green Rivers it is different. This is one of the main possible, but at the same time one of the most difficult, of the transcontinental routes. There are here extensive agricultural areas and fields of coal, mines on both the northern and southern tributaries of the Gunnison, and prospective communication with the rich mines of Utah and Nevada. A road in this area, next to that via the Rio Grande Cañon, offers to be soonest remunerative, and would probably always be a link of through and extended communication, which the Rio Grande branch can never become.

In the immediate vicinity of the mines, and across the rim of the upper Animas Basin, the following trails and roads exist:

1st. Road via Cinnamon Gulch Pass to the Lake Fork of the Gunnison. This will be extended through the cañon of the Animas from La Plata, at the forks of the Animas, to Eureka and Howardsville.

2d. From Howardsville, in Baker's Park, over the continental divide at the head of the Rio Grande to Del Norte.

3d. From the Animas Fork over head of Animas River to Mineral City, on the headwaters of the Uncompahgre.

4th. Trails east and west of Sultan Mountain to the Animas Park.

5th. Trail over south fork of Mineral Creek to the San Miguel and Dolores.

6th. Trails over Mineral and Crescent Creeks to Red Mountain Valley, on Uncompahgre waters.

Profiles are given herewith of the mountain parts of the first, second, fourth, and fifth.

Taken in connection with the fact that the gorge of the Uncompahgre below the mines may for the present be regarded as impassable, the problem of access to and egress from the mines of the Animas and Uncompabgre districts is a difficult one. Nowhere is this rim crossed by trail or road leading outward from the mountains with a grade of less than 800 feet to the mile, which means practically no wagon transportation at cheap rates. Of the existing roads, the Lake Fork route is the best, but this is too steep for free use. The cañon of the Animas offers to those districts the only possible route with good grades for wagons, and this is rock-bound; but it may be imperative if the mines are productive, even if the stationary steam-power line be put across the divide, to get an outlet by way of this cañon at the expense of blasting a road-bed in the flint-like sides of the cañon walls. In other words, the mining districts about the heads of the Animas and Uncompahgre must look for facile wagon communication to the south, or else to the northwest via the Uncompahgre gorge, which is equally rock-bound and of three times as steep gradients.

Besides the existing routes of communication for wagons, of which the Sagnache and Lake City, and the Del Norte, Antelope Park, and Lake City roads only are available, it seems to me advisable on the part of the people of Cañon City and Colorado Springs to examine the following route for a wagon-road:

From the point the Puncho Pass and South Arkansas toll-road leaves Puncho Creek, the proposed line passes over the divide at the head of this stream to the Tumichi;

thence to the Los Pinos agency; thence over the head of the Los Pinos to the Cebolla; thence via the headwaters of the western tributary of this stream, effecting a junction with the Antelope Park and Lake City road near the summit of the range, and over its road-bed to Lake City. Of this route there will be required to be built 16 miles of mountain road from Puncho Creek to the Tumichi Valley, and about 20 miles of road from the Saguache and Lake City road, above the old agency, to the summit, or in all about 36 miles of new road. The rest of the links already exist, or else the country is level gravel which requires only a wagon to be drawn over it to make a road. By this route the long detour by Puncho Pass around by Saguache and the Cochetopa Pass to the old Los Pinos agency, and also that to the Lake Fork of the Gunnison, 20 miles to the north of the point aimed at, will be avoided and a direct route gained, shorter by four days' teaming from railroad communication than any existing line. There will be one steep pitch on the west side of the range at the head of the Tumichi, a quite difficult descent to the Cebolla, and considerable work in rock-blasting in the upper cañon of the Cebolla; but taking everything into consideration, it seems to me from a cursory examination that this route is at least worthy a close survey and study on the part of the business men of the two places mentioned.

Now that it is conceded that the mines of San Juan, La Plata, and Hinsdale counties are valuable, rich, and extensive, this problem of routes of communication must touch these towns, which are at present (and who wish to preserve this status) the principal points of supply, very nearly in their business relations, and make for them and for the transportation companies the prospective traffic of this rich mining and producing region an alluring prize.

All hypsometrical data collected by my party bearing upon this subject is attached hereto.

Respectfully submitted.

Lient. G. M. WHEELER,

W. L. MARSHALL, First Lieutenant of Engineers.

Corps of Engineers, in charge.

APPENDIX B.

PRELIMINARY REPORT UPON THE OPERATIONS OF PARTY NO. 3, CALIFORNIA SECTION, SEASON OF 1875-'76, WITH A VIEW TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF DIVERTING THE COLORADO RIVER FOR PURPOSES OF IRRIGATION, BY LIEUTENANT ERIC BERGLAND, CORPS OF ENGINEERS.

LOS ANGELES, CAL., February 1, 1876. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following preliminary report with regard to the operations of party No. 3, California section, Geographical Surveys West of the One hundredth Meridian, during the field season of 1875-'76:

DUTIES OF THE PARTY.

The following extract from letter of instructions will explain the object and extent of the investigations with which I was charged:

"UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, "GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS WEST OF THE 100TH MERIDIAN, "San Francisco, Cal., June 10, 1875.

"SIR: You are hereby assigned to the charge of a party specially organized for the purpose of making a preliminary examination with a view to a further and more complete investigation as to the feasibility of the diversion of the Colorado River of the West from its present channel, for the purposes of irrigation. Your present survey will be confined to that portion of the river embraced between the foot of the Lower Grand Cañon and the vicinity of the Needles, the results of prior examinations made by parties of the survey under my charge during the past few years having shown the impracticability of turning the river from its present course at a point near the confluence of the Green and Grand, or between that point and the foot of the Grand Cañon, to direct its waters to portions of its western basin. The following route to and from the scene of your labors is suggested: From Los Angeles direct to Point of Rocks, in the Mohave Valley, thence to station at Black's Ranch, thence via Ivanpah to Cottonwood Island, on the Colorado. In returning, your line may leave the river near the Needles, running thence to the lower end of Coahuila Valley along the line of least profile. A reconnaissance-line duly checked by astronomical determinations and leveled barometrically will be measured, and as much mountain topography adjacent to this and other lines necessary to be traversed in the prosecution of your labors as time and means will permit, should be gathered.

"At mountain-peaks occupied, such instrumental observations will be taken as will permit of the introduction of such points into a scheme of triangulation, hereafter to be developed, reaching from the Coast Range near the latitude of Los Angeles to the ranges bordering on the Colorado after its great bend to the south. From present information, the most feasible, if not the only possible, points within the above limits at which the river could be taken from its present channel and carried over large alluvial areas are: 1st, at or near Cottonwood Island; 2d, mouth of Vegas Wash; 3d, foot of Virgin Cañon; 4th, Needles.

"If it is found practicable at either of these points to divert the entire body of the stream at any or all of them, you will cause surveys to be made sufficiently in detail to guide in the projection of the necessary constructions and to govern in the laying out of a canal, with an approximate estimate of the cost of such works, including embankments and cutting. In this connection the surrounding country should be scoured in search of the proper earth, rock, or other material requisite, and advantage of such examination should be taken to gather topography of the surrounding ridges in detail. "The flow of the river and the character of its sediments will be determined at Camp Mohave and at the mouth of the Rio Virgen.

"Your attention should be especially directed to areas of marked depression along the route, and their geographical extent, with approaches thereto as far as practicable. "Incidentally you will determine the points at which artificial reservoirs can be most easily constructed, taking advantage of the contour of the subdrainage basins; the more or less impermeable character of the soil underlying them; the value for agricultural purposes of arid tracts encountered if water can be had, and the probable amount that can be reclaimed; the analysis of alkaline, saline, and other deposits; the probable climatic changes to ensue; character of present vegetation; probable changes in the average total flow of the river in different seasons, &c. Any suggestions or recommendations growing from your examinations will be freely communicated. The physical obstacles of the section of territory to be traversed and visited are known to be great, and your operations may be materially modified and restricted thereby.

*

*

The party was organized at Rendezvous Camp, Los Angeles, Cal., and consisted of myself as executive officer and field-astronomer, 1 chief topographer, 1 assistant topographer, 1 geologist, 1 meteorologist, 1 odometer-recorder, 3 packers, 1 cook, a guide, and 3 enlisted men belonging to Company G, Twelfth Infantry; making, in all, 14 men. The means of transportation were 28 pack-mules and 1 bell-mare.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE.

The party left Rendezvous Camp on the 21st of June, and reached Martin's Ranch, at the mouth of the Cajon Pass, on the 29th of June. At this place a side-party was detached to make the ascent of Cucamonga Peak, and one of the enlisted men was sent by stage to Camp Mohave with barometer and psychrometer, to take observations during the summer, to which might be referred the observations taken on the route.

The march to this place had been necessarily slow, as the mules were nearly all wild and unbroken when the party started, on account of which much time was lost in loading and unloading the packs, and keeping the animals on the road after the train started from camp each morning.

From Martin's the route was through the Cajon Pass, over a divide of 4,487 feet altitude, thence across a portion of the Mohave Desert to the Mohave River, at Lane's Upper Crossing. The slope is gradual from the divide to the river, a distance of 18 miles. This is a barren waste, without wood, water, or grass. The only vegetation seen was sage-brush, stink-weed, a few juniper-bushes, and several varieties of the cactus family.

The yucca trees, which are found here in great numbers, obtain a height of 30 to 40 feet, and present the appearance of a magnificent forest. Rabbits, jack-rabbits, and field-rats were the only animals seen; an occasional bird; but lizards and horned toads were noted numerously. The soil consists mostly of coarse gravel, but could be made productive if it were possible to irrigate it.

The river at Lane's Crossing was about 100 feet wide, with a maximum depth of 3 feet. A considerable volume of water flows through this portion of the river at all seasons, all of which disappears in the sand a few miles below.

From this point the route followed the river to Point of Rocks Station. My instructions were to proceed north from this place as far as Black's Ranch, and thence east

wardly to Ivanpah. From the appearance of the country already traversed, and from information gathered along the route, I concluded that the attempt would be hazardous in the extreme. But little rain had fallen during the previous ten months throughout all that section of country. Springs, which formerly had never failed, were found dry, and no grass or other feed for the animals could be obtained if we left the river; hence, I concluded to follow the course of the river as far as the Saline Flats of the Mohave, called Soda Lake by Lieutenant Whipple. This latter place was reached on the morning of July 13.

The route to the Saline Flats of the Mohave kept near the bed of the river, in which running water is seen at but few places, and in diminishing quantity as one proceeds toward Soda Lake Spring. Water can be obtained by digging a few feet in the sandy bed of the river at almost any place. Vegetation occurs at points along the river where the water comes near the surface, and at several points along the route, as Point of Rocks, Cottonwood Station, and near old Camp Cady. Extensive groves of cottonwood and mesquite trees are found. Grass was scarce along the river on account of the great number of sheep which had lately passed over that route on their way to Arizona.

Between Grapevine Station and forks of the road, the road crossed the bed of a dry lake or basin. The bed isfclay,'baked hard and dry, and perfectly smooth. Not a particle of vegetation is seen, not even sage-brush. It is about 2 miles wide and 4 miles long. During the rainy season, water accumulates here to a depth of a few inches, the clay becomes soft, and the road is impassable for wagons and animals.

The heat during the day kept on increasing as we descended the valley, the thermometer indicating over 1000 in the shade nearly every day. The nights were generally cool, at one time the minimum temperature being as low as 44°. At Soda Lake Spring, however, no respite from the heat was obtained at night. The hot, dry wind coming from the south was almost suffocating, removing the moisture rapidly from the body, thus necessitating a great consumption of water to keep up the supply. The water here is obtained from a spring from which flows a considerable stream, clear and limpid, but strongly alkaline, and nauseating when drunk in large quantities. The Saline Flats of the Mohave constitute a basin about 20 miles long, with an average width of nearly 10 miles. The surface is composed of a white crust of saline and alkaline material deposited from the evaporated water. In the summer months nearly the whole basin is dry, but after heavy rains during the winter the surface is covered with water which is too brackish for use by animals or men.

Splendid mirages were seen here which gave the distant portions of the basin the appearance of a large lake. The illusion is perfect, and tales are told of weary and thirsty travelers who have hurried on to quench their thirst, only to be disappointed and meet a horrible death.

The drainage of the basin is toward the north, and the supposition is that it is connected with Death Valley, but this surmise has not yet been proved to be a fact.

From Soda Lake Spring to Cottonwood Island on the Colorado River, the route is northeastwardly after passing around the north end of the basin, over a range of mountains to Ivanpah, a small mining town, which contains one stamp-mill and a smelting-furnace; thence eastwardly across the dry bed of a basin without outlet, of considerable extent, over the summits of the Providence range, then down a gradual slope to the Colorado River at Cottonwood Island.

The route to Ivanpah is a trail, very heavy and sandy in some places, but passable for wagons with light loads. From Ivanpah to the summit of the river range there is an Indian trail practicable for riding and pack animals. From the summit to the river there is a gradual slope, the trail which follows the bed of the wash being practicable for wagons.

The only water found between Soda Lake Spring and Ivanpah was at Hallovan Springs, Camp 17, and France's Spring, Camp 18. At the former the supply was limited. Between Ivanpah and Cottonwood Island no water was found except at Crossman Spring, Camp 20.

At Ivanpah we were assured that an abundance of water would be found in wells on the east side of the basin; but on arriving there the wells were found dry, and it became necessary to push on to the spring. There but a small quantity of water was found, which was soon exhausted by the animals. The mud and decayed vegetable matter which nearly filled the spring were then removed, but the water trickled in so slowly during the night that there was not enough for the animals in the morning. But little grass was found on this part of the route. "Gallete" grass, very coarse and dry, was found in considerable abundance east of the basin, near Ivanpah; the latter place obtains its supply of grass here. Near the summits of the ranges some bunchgrass was found and a better quality of "gallete," but generally the grass was too far from the water to be of avail. Hallovan Springs was an exception to this rule; but here the water gave out, so we could not take advantage of the excellent bunch-grass found near this place. From the summit of the river-range we obtained the first view of the Colorado River. From this point it lay before us like a silver band, sparkling in

the sunlight, a most pleasant sight, as it gave assurance of abundance of water for a time at least.

Cottonwood Island, with its majestic cottonwood trees and rich vegetation, afforded a pleasant relief to the eye, after having seen nothing but black, barren rocks and parched, sandy valleys since leaving old Camp Cady.

The island, which is 5 miles long and less than half a mile wide, is occupied by a number of Pah-Ute Indians. Others of the same tribe have rancherias along the west bank of the river. They raise a few vegetables, a little corn, melons, and wheat; but their principal food is the mesquite bean. They had no supplies to sell to our party, as the products of their small gardens are consumed as fast as they ripen. They make no efforts to catch fish, but occasionally shoot a mountain-sheep, and hunt regularly for a species of large lizard and the field-rat. They visited our camp daily, begging for bread and tobacco, but otherwise did not molest us, nor did they show any propensity for stealing.

At this place a party was sent to Camp Mohave for supplies to replenish our nearly exhausted stores, and after a few days' rest we proceeded up the river to Stone's Ferry. The trail followed the river closely as far as El Dorado Mill. From thence a wide detour had to be made to get around the Black Cañon, and we reached the river again at the mouth of Las Vegas Wash. From this point another detour was made to avoid the Bowlder Cañon. The route hence was up the Callville Wash, over the divide, and down a gradual descent to the Virgen River, which was reached about 15 miles from its mouth; thence down the Virgen to the Colorado at Stone's Ferry, which point was reached on the evening of August 4. This part of the route was almost entirely destitute of vegetation; even the camps on the river afforded no grass for the animals. At Bitter Spring, Camp 28, some salt grass was found, but it was poor feed for the animals, and harmed more than it benefited them. The water at Bitter Springs is decidedly alkaline and unpleasant to the taste. Signs of water were observed near the summit of the Callville Wash, and some green grass was found in the immediate vicinity. The water of the Virgen was unfit for use by men or animals. It was intensely saline, its color brick-red, and surface covered with floating slime of the same color.

The trail from Cottonwood Island to Eldorado Mill is very rough, in some places precipitous and dangerous, entirely impracticable for wagons. Thence to mouth of Las Vegas Wash the trail is not so difficult, and nearly all of it could be traveled by lightlyloaded wagons. Thence to Stone's Ferry the route is practicable for wagons. Callville is entirely deserted; the wood-work has been removed from all of the houses, and nothing but crumbling walls indicate the site of the city at the "head of navigation." In the vicinity of Stone's Ferry and along the Virgen are found extensive deposits of rock-salt, and near the ferry there is a natural curiosity called the "salt well." This is a hole in the mesa, nearly circular, with steep walls, partly filled with a strong solution of salt. The greatest depth of water was found by sounding to be 96 feet, the diameter of the water-surface 118 feet, high-water mark above present surface 4 feet, and surface of water below crest of well 43 feet. The surface of the water in the well was found to be 3.9 feet above the surface of the river at the nearest point.

A considerable quantity of rock-salt is obtained in this vicinity, which is used in the reduction of ores both in Nevada and Arizona.

At Stone's Ferry we remained until the 14th of August. The time was occupied in taking soundings and current-observations. A description of the method used and results obtained will follow.

From Stone's Ferry, after crossing the river, we followed the road through a wash which heads in the almost insensible divide leading to the Sacramento Valley; then along this valley to Chloride; from this point, through Union Pass, to Hardyville and Camp Mohave. The first march, from the river to Mountain Spring, is a long stretch of over 40 miles without water. The ascent from the river is gradual and at the rate of about 80 feet to the mile. The first 10 miles is through a narrow wash, destitute of vegetation, then the wash gradually widens into a valley of magnificent proportions, bounded on the east by the Sacramento Mountains, and on the west by the river range. This valley was covered with different kinds of grasses-in the northern part principally coarse gallete, but farther south more nutritious grass was found in quantities sufficient to feed thousands of cattle, which is not available because water cannot be procured. Attempts have been made to dig wells in this valley, but no water has been obtained except in the vicinity of the springs near the summit of the valley. The spring at Nobman's Ranch furnishes water for about two hundred head of cattle. At Chloride we obtained good water from a well about 40 feet deep. The town was almost deserted, but half a dozen men living there. The mines were not worked, and the smelting-furnace stood idle at the time of our visit. There is a good wagon-road all the way from Stone's Ferry to Camp Mohave, a toll-road having been built through Union Pass.

The weather was pleasant and temperature moderate in the Sacramento Valley, but as soon as we crossed the summit of the river range we began to experience the dry atmosphere and excessive heat that had been felt previously in the valley of the Colo