The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-11-20
:, IOWA, NOVEMBER 90, 1850.


able, however, to learn any of the parties names,
or where they were from. The Carson river at
this point is over forty yards wide, and 20 feet
dccp-a beautiful stream of clear water and san |
dy bottom, abound;ng with large quantities Of
fine tiSlf the banks shaded On o1thcr side With
beautiful popars, measuring from l to ?! feet in
d;amc:cr-a delightful retreat for the weary en-
igrant who has just passed over orcary desert,
exposed to almost a tropical sun, with barely
sufficient water to keep him alive; and the first
tree atfording any shelter for nearly 1000 miles.
22d. After spending the 2.st in resting our
teams at this point we started out at daylight
this morning, and continued our course miles
up the Carson, at which place we found trad
ing post, with small supply of PROVISIONS own
ed by Philip Hull, formerly of 10 Davicss CO.,
ILL.,, he had brought out supply to furnish emf
grants. | was informed by him, that large sup
plies had been brought out by cmgrants, and
that We would find trading posts at every few
miles, all the way on to the City. After leaving
this point, we leave the Carson, and cross anoth
cr l4nilc desert; water grass until we
reach the river again.
After grazing our horses for few hours at .!c
river, We pushed out again on to another 23-mi!c
stretch, without grass water. The sand over
this desert is very hcavy--much than
any we have found although the desert is not as
long, and not much suffering for water as the
one east Of the Carson. After travelling until
daylight, we reached the river again, where we
found grass water and fuel; as We advanced up
the Carson grass and timber grow more plenty;
many Of the trees the river at this point mca-
suring from 3 to 5 feet in diameter Horses
still continue to fail very fast, although grass is
much more plenty than could be found on the
lIumbolt; | counted some 30 last night the
road, most of them killed up by hard driving.
23d Weather still continues hot and sulry
although the dust is not unpleasant it has
been on the Ilumbolt-anI although we appear
to be in a tropical climate, yet we can see the
E peaks Of the Sierra Nevada mountains risin, Il
bove u.s. covered with snow, which we shall pass
through in few days
After travelling up the Carson 3 miles, we
found food spot Of grass where We shall re-
main until tomorrow, in order to rest tired
horses, which appear to be very much jadcd af-
ter crossing the last deserts, with but very poor
grass to live upon.
2ih. Weather moro pleasant to-day than for
some time past; cool breeze blowing from the
south west. One o! our company being anxious
to push ahead, took one Of our horses, and de-
signs pushing on to the City, with the cxpccta-
ton Of making his fortune by the time that We
! | ~
days in advance of us, as We design taking tie
wagon the mountains, if possible, which
/ will delay Us short time
= Left cncampmcn, at . O'clock P. NJ, and con-
tinucd up Carson river ! miles, after which we
, left it again, and travelled over 4 broken coun-
try for IS miles, and at P. NJ, reached the riv
or again, and encampcd for the night. Water,
, grass and timber in abundance.
2jLh. After leaving the river to our left, our
road led through a pass of the Sierra Nevada
. mountains, which were piled above over 200
feet high.
After travelling 10 miles through this pass, or
kanyon, we reached the river, and continued up
+ it II miles, to 4 small mountain stream among
the hills; found large number OF Pinte lnd-
ans, who informed US that great many persons
were prospecting for gold 10 miles distant, on
this side Of the mountains and that several dis
covcrcs had been made Provisions are now
very plenty, although selling at very exorbitant
6 prices; large numbers met daily, loaded with
flour, pork and beef cattle principally, together
E with large quantities of mining tools for pros
pccting OH this side the mountains Flour is
worth from 81 to $3.50 per lb; bacon from 81 so
to So; beef from 25 to SO; brandy 81 per drink,
or $3 per pint, and groceries in proportion
We now find grass and timber in abundance;
cold springs and mountain streams at almost ey-
E cry mile.
Goth. Being anxious to sec the way in which
they s'done up things at these trading posts,
called for breakfast this morning at the Mormon
House. After eating poor meal, consisting of
bread, meat and coffee, asked the landlord for
my bill, aud was told $4 l paid it over, but con-
cluded hereafter to eat at camp, and receive a
= little better fare.
After leaving camp, continued up the foot of
the mountains, until we reached the mouth of
the kanyon, rocky pass at the foot Of the noun
tans, on the head waters of the Carson. The
r. road here leads up deflc between the
mountains, the rocky crags piled up perpendicu-
lar on either side, and in many places directly
over heads, over 900 feet high covered with lof-
. ty pines and cedars, many of them measuring
from to G feet in diameter. The mouth of the
kanyon at this point is of the widest and
most romaptc looking places ever bcheld; the
high craggy cliffs, surrounding US at every point
covered with dense timber and undergrowth
the water here rushcs down the mountain with
maddening violence, the d, aicning roar of which
, can be heard at distance of several miles
Travelled to-day l5 miles over the roughes
road | have seen since we left. Encamped a
bout midway Of the Kanyop tonight; foune
grass, water and timber in abundance. s at#
r eth. After leaving encampmcnt quite earl,
G THIS morning, continued our course through thu
Kunyon, over the toughest road that could b.
imagined for distance of 6 miles; in many pla
Y cog the uph hi uh rncIe ,yar, r;1al f.a, q i.