The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-10-23
,so~r..l = - overland trip to California.
ny Al. MORSE.


9th. Il being day Of rest, remained in camp
during the day assembled one of the high
points 81 the lower range Of mountains, and with
in space Of two miles counted 90 encamp-
mcnts on Sweet Water river, some numbering
from 40 to go teams Passed "a horses that
were unable to travel from the effects OF alkall
water, and II oxen that had died at one place.
10. Left camp on Sweet Water at sunrise;
passed Devils Gate at p m, and camped m.
west Of it on the banks of Sweet Water. AT
this point the water passes between two perpen-
dicuiar rocks or bluffs, $50 # high. The water
here rushes through narrow space with deaf
eninr and terrific roar, that can be heard at a
great distance. The river in this channel is a.
bout # deep and I2 # wide, the water rushing
over huge rocks for some 800 yards until it rea-
ches the open space on the east side OF bluffs
After getting our teams turned out upon excel
lent grass at p m, assembled to the highest
point of these rocks, from which l beheld a
more beautiful sight than l did from the rock
$50 Il above Sweet Water. On my left lay the
placid waters Of the river Sweetwater, and wind
ing like a serpent among the rocks and hills off
towards the west: to my right lay the bound |
less plain-the road which stretched eastward
covered with emigrants as far as the eye could
reach winding along towards the mountains.-|
Before me lay chain of the Rocky mountains
extending along as far as the eye conld reach,
their peaks appearing to reach the clouds, COW
cred with perpetual snow; behind me lay the
white tented little city of emigrants, stretching
along the banks of the rivers. After feasting my
eyes for long time upon the beautiful scenery,
at last commenced the perious attempt of de-
scending the rock, large portion of which hung
directly over the roaring stream below. After
clambering about half way down the rock, night
unexpectedly came upon me, and was COM
PEELED to grope my way in darkness, finding
that it was dangerous undertaking to proceed
farther. I commenced search for suitable
place to camp for the night. | soon found
shelf in the rock that was sufficiently large to
hold at least dozen men, and converting my
blanket coat into a bed, laid down; on awak-
ening the next morning found the sun far up,
having oversight myself. | fastened down and
joined our company who had just breakfasted;
they had been fearful of my having been killed
by Indians or lost in the stream and it was one
hour before 1 could answer all their inquiries as
to my trip up the ssbig rock as it is called.
18th. Travelled yesterday 81 miles over
heavy sandy road, barren country most of the
way, nothing growing upon it but wild sage and
2rckley pear. Weather still continues cool q
pleasant with the exception of or hours in
the banks of Sweetwater: Is miles out passed
Ice spring near the right Of road. Ice can be
had here in large quantities by digging down a.
bout two feet. A little farther on passed two
alkali lakes, water very poisonous of mile
further on is third equally poisonous
as the other two. Encamped toni ht quite late
on the banks of Sweetwater, having travelled 26
miles-heavy sandy road most of the way, found
both grass and fuel very scarce.
18th. Left our encampmcnt at sunrise-cool
and pleasant-heavy shower of rain last night
which has made great difference in the tenn
perature--threw away large amount of cloth
ing &c. &C., in order to tighten up our loads be-
sides leaving grain wagon; we now have
one light wagon and horses. Crossed Sweet
water second time to-day, and continued up
its banks part of the day. Very little grass or
day-nothing to be seen but wild sage and prick
w pear. As we continued to ascend the noun
tain the roads became more difficult ard danger
GUS for wagons, the sharp rugged rocks in many
places rising from ~ to Is inches high in the
centre of the road, and no way to avoid them on
horseback or with wagons. At m, we reach
ed near the highest point Of the mountains that
lay before US, and in many places could see the
snow piled around us from to 8 feet i'll depth
the atmosphere at this point agrees with the
bleak appearance of things around US. Find O
ver-coats and mittens very comfortable since
last evening, and find it difficult to keep warn
at night with plentiful supply of bedding
Passed this morning alkali lakes at the left o
road-water very poisonous. Travelled 10 mile
ana Cdmpeu OH dWDeTTy creek, grass ant
timber very scarce. We are now passing lare,
numbers of horses and cattle failing on the triI
far the want of grass and the injurious effects
alkali.
18th Continued the ascent of the snow cap
ped mountains, piled either side and ahead OF
us, and crossed Quakenap creek, branch Of
Sweetwater, early in the morning-no grass
nearer than one mile from the road. Antclopes
and mountain sheep are becoming plenty, but
fan xx,i1l To bo Il, hot
mounds 10 miles ca of South Passive hills
that it is almost impossible to distinguish apart
about 800 feet high, of granite rock. The roads
continue rough and difficult. Granite rock is
piled in rugged masses on all sides, as though
nature had perfected the great undertaking il
forming this mighty chain Of mountains; contin.
ued our ascent till p III, at which time we
reached the South Pass the dividing ridge oil
the Rocky mountains, between the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans. Lat at this point, 42d Ism Sc
s.; Long. 1OSd ION; Altitude, 70S5 feet-find.
ing no water at this point, we pushed on and at
5 pm, reached the Pacific springs, grass and wa
ter plenty, no fuel but wild sage. About 3OU
teams encamped in sight Of US Tonight. Wa
CONS, stores, guns, clothing, &c. &c. are strown
along at every mile, and yet horses continue to
fail rapidly under hard driving and heavy loads
14tll. At 7 o'clock a IN, left our encanpment
and commenced our decent down the mountains
Cold rain last night followed by heavy frost
Ice was found in our buckets an inch thick on
the following morning. Continuing down the
mountains we crossed a dry sandy creek 10 miles
from Pacific springs-found but little grass nc
timber, but some wild sage. Left the Salt Lake
road to our left this afternoon having travelled
to-day 90 miles from South Pass-found but lit
tie grass, no timber but wild sage.
10Th. Left eneampment quite early and con
tinued our course down the mountains-afte1
travelling 10 miles we reached Big Sandy crecl
on the edge of the 45 mile desert: after filling
our cans and canteens at 3 p IN, we pushed GU
on to the Desert; after travelling about IL miles
we bated our horses some grass we found &
pushed on for the purpose of reaching the oppo
site side by the following morning. After trav
cling until sunrise found good quantity o
grass upon the desert, and availed ourselves o
the good opportunity Of grazing, while we tool
breakfast-Passed during the night over 1o'
teams encamped at varions points on the desert
continuing our course we reached Green rive
having made the distance in 81 hours, includin!
hours stoppage.
In regard to this desert which has been spo
ken of by so many, would say that it has bee,
greatly misrepresented in my opinion it is no