New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-03-05
CALIFORNIA.
Route Across the Nevada Mounta;n's

coropoEdence Of TheN. Y. Tribune.
PLAcERyILLE, Cal, Tuesday, Jan. 2j 1853.
Having been from its commencement reader
a NE Tribune and believer In its political character
and having had implicit confidence in !, for truth and
ycraciy, not little surprised to SEQ about
year since an extract ~ letter Published In The Tri-
tune purporting TO be description OF the Truckce
route ecross the Nevada Mountain. ! should have
pesed it by had not seen another, taken from Tbs
Tribune going the round of our papers here written by
D. NJ Van Dixie, of " J. The commlue1 in
ese statements must arise froIn some local Interest,"
or a want OF knowledge of the advantages of other
routes IN the place they directed TO keep the
old Carfon Valley, 39t miles from the Sink
thence up the river 60 miles within about Is miles
Of the Mormon Station, where they leave for the
Tuckee River which is said to be about 80 miles max
ing near 80 miles when it Ia universally known that
you can reach the Truckee River in distance Of 45
miles from the Sink. think, If 1 not mistaken,
that the Truckcc river is old route, (Nr Dow
and Mr. Van Dyke to the contrary, notwithstanding
and one that has been considered 10 be very din ut
route; but ia spite of all the facts universally known
many (rom the untred Efforts of persons nterested)
have been inhaled greatly to their disadvantage. think
however the following statement from DR.. Van Week.
who has travelled both routes, and being man Of
uudoubted veracity mus, set the matter at rest
YouIs, &c, p. L. PLATT.
In 1850 came TO California on the Carson River
route In 1851 returned for my family and wa pa
duced by letter publahed in the Marysvillc paper,
(which think was the published In The ITt6aaO
and by the recommendations of persons In whom
had confidence but who found afterward, were inter-
ested TO 10 the Truckee River route across the Nevada
Mountains which found TO be much further, and on
the whole much more difficult.
On leaving the Sink of Marys River You bear west
across the desert to Truckec River about A. miles,
which il about, the kind of road as 10 Carson
River, and about five miles further, Con rea'AinS
Carson River you enter OF the faest valleys IN the
VERDI where can be had all kinds OF provisions, aud
where the great abundance OF feed enables ensfants
10 recruit their teams before crossing the moun,a ns
On reaching the TIuckee River yon ascend the river
passing very heavy sand hills and Others that
very rocky you have also TO cross the rive" hVe
times within about 40 miles, when you come to avaliey
with plenty of grass or feed the first OF any amount,
alter leaving the Sink the ascent is about loo feet to
the mile, and this grade would be attended with tue
greatest difficulty being Distracted by some very high
lodges and mounains On leaving this valley you bear
anorthnorthwest course to a small stream In another
valley about 25 miles which stream you follow about
1mlcs-road good you then leave the stream and
bear west 10 the valley ON the summit IL miles eleya
ton ahout 500 feet; from the summit 10 Dunn hahch
seven mlee to Beckwith's, twelve mies-roaa soou
this IL called the great valley from Beckwthst TO inc
Mountain about 40 miles part of this road Is very
rough, mostly descending here you ascend noun
tain TO the summit about four mileselevation about
5000 feet you then descend 10 the American valley
about seven milesa part of the road very steep and
rocky here YOU strike branch of the Middle Fork OF
the Feather River, you follow down this stream about
Q miles to Bucks Ranch. you then leave the stream to
your right and ascend another mountain 10 the summit
about Eve miles you then descend to another branch
Of Feather River about miles; you now cross
number of mountains similar TO those already crossed
TO Bidwelrs Bar ON Feather River about 80 mies-a
large portion Of the road exceedingly bad irom here
TO Msrysville 50 miles road good to Sacramento
City, 80 miles, making from the Humboldt or Marys
River to Sacramento CHy about 400 miles By con-
suliing Plat sla,crs guide, which gives an exact
measurement of the whole of the Carson River route,
viii be found to be but 233 miles by that route 10
Sacramento City thus made to travel at less;
los miles further, and on a much worse road
Since arriving here find there has been new
rled worked across the mountain from Carson valley
cahed Johnson's cut off, leaving the valley AZ the
Eagle Ranch, about Is miles north OF the Mormon
Station, which Is about 20 miles nearer Ii has been
very much Travelled this year, and is said, with
little more working, will be very good road with
plenty Of feed and water II. VAN vLEcK.