The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-11-13
Written for the "Exprrss"
Journal Of an overland trip to California;
BY A. e. MORSE.


BY A. c. MORSE.
9Th. After leaving our encampment, the road
continues to wind through narrow passes in the
mountains, over hanging crags, and hun
dred feet above our heads; the roads, as we ap-
proach the lIumbolt, continue to grow very dus
ty, owing to the soil principally, beside the dry,
sutry weather and constant travel. Heavy
shower of rain this afternoon, which has render
ed the atmosphere cool and pleasant, and settled
the heavy clouds of dust that have hung around
us for several days past
Travelled this day "a miles, und at rundown
cncamped upon mountain stream at the left of
road found water, grass, and fuel in abundance.
25M. After leaving camp, continued our course
over broken country, which has lasted for
great while. After travelling about 3 miles,
Of us mounted our horses, which we had been
leading, and determined TO ascend very high
mountain off to our left, in order to gain, if pos
siblc, a view Of Salt Lake, near 200 miles dis
isn't. AT, A. NJ. with our horses, we commcn-
ced ascending the mountain, which shall here
call the Emigran,'s Peak. After ascending a.
bout 5000 feet up the mountain, finding the as
cent much sleeper than we expected, left our
horses, and continued the ascent on foot. At Q
A. NJ. reached the summit, height Of over
5000 feet, and distance of near four miles from
| the base
| After spending about one hour in constructing
a small neat flag, we placed it upon the highest
| - Ill
The view from the summit toward the east, far
surpasses anything ever saw; before US lay the
great valley OF the Salt Lake; off to our left lay
the great Lake itself, its dark blue waters ap-
pearing to rise up and CONCEAL with the blue sky
above; the Lake is about 200 miles distant, but
can be plainly seen from the summit of this
mountain, upon clear day. After satisfying
our curiosity for some time with the scenes a..
round US, we reluctantly left the beautiful spot,
and commenced the toilsome descent down the
mountain, and at l2 o'clock, NJ, we reached the
base, ourselves and horses very much fatigued.
Continuing our course west across the Salt
Lake Valley, which stretches itself along for
over 800 miles, we at last overlook our train, at
3 P. NJ on the banks of Raft river, preparing to
cross the stream. Finding it itimpossible to cross
the stream with our loaded wagons, seven of us
jumped in and commenced packing across on
our backs after laboring hard for one hour in
the cold, disagreeabe stream, at last succeed
ed in getting all across; in short time we loaded
up, and were off again in search of camping
ground; at sundown we encampec upon the bank
Of the same stream, at the second crossing, where
the Fort Hall road intersects this; found grass
and fuel in abundance; having travelled to-day
"a miles.
2Jth After leaving the Oregon road, we con.
tinued up the banks of Raft river, and at 10 A
NJ, crossed the south branch of that stream, the
road leading down wide pass for Is miles, un
til we reached Goose Creek hills, ascended the
dividing ridge between Raft river and Humbolt
and at p. NJ. encamped upon the summit Of tht
divide. Crossed to-day several mountain streams
-most oft them running south, and empty:ng in
to Bear river; for the past two days the wealth
er has been cool and pleasant; roads much bet
ter than they have been; grass and water plen
ty the only fuel being wild sage. Travelled
to-day % miles.
3OA. After leaving the summit of the divide
continued our descent down the mountains
crossed large number of mountain streams to-
day; water clear and cold; at P. NJ, reached
Goose Creek, IL feet wide, 9 feet deep; founc
grass and water plenty; after travelling l2 miles
up this stream, we encamped on the west bank
having travelled % miles; grass and water plen
: ty no fuel but wild sage.
r July lst. After leaving camp, continued oul
; course up the east bank of Goose Creek, found
the weather quite hot and sultry to-day; travel
led 10 miles up the creek this forenoon, making
the total distance up Goose Creek % miles
: found large quantities of wild currants bordering
, upon it's banks very similar to the tame curran
grow ing in the States. This stream, near it,
source abounds with speckled trout, large guam
titles of which we caught last night with hool
and line; they are fine favored fish, but no
as good as those caught in the mountain streams
in the States.
After leaving Goose Creek, the road passe.
over rough and stoney piece of ground for a
bout miles, from which it leads into very
, level plain or valley, called "Hot Spring Val
ley," lying between two ranges of mountains o.
hills. The roads to-day have been exceedingly
dusty, which has made it very unpleasant trav
cling. Encamped tonight small muddy
stream, at the left of road, eighteen miles ives
of Goose Creek; having travelled 25 miles,-S
without water; found water and grass very poor
no fuel but wild sage. Found large number o
Shoshonee Indians encamped near US tonight
and finding our company quite small, we mount
ed double guard, in case of surprise.
Cd. After leaving our encampment quite ear
ly, continued our course up the hot spring val
ley; roads very dusty, leading over parchet
+ and barren country, ground not even producing
sufficient grass for our horses for great distance
water very bad during the day, almost impossi
BILE to drink it without holding our noses. Pass
ed two alkali springs near the road, said TO b
very poisonous. miles from camp, passed
beautiful spring of cold water on the left Of road
from to 10 feet deep, the largest have foun
on the road since left the States.
| p,.,ol 1h, r,r,va of nav;d X Ropor of Va,