The Shasta courier. [volume] (Shasta, Calif.) 1852-1872, 1853-04-09
Report of the County Surveyor of siskiyou
County.
YREKA, CRY, Siskiyou Co., !

county.
YREKA CRY, Siskiyou Co.,
Sept. 10, 1852
Hon. w. M. EppY, Surveyor General:
SiR,-Accompanying thi | transmit TO You
rough skeleton OF map of the eastern part OF
this county. l have spent weeks in ex-
ploring that heretofore most unknown section
,of this State, and am satisfied that have mark
ed down the general features of the country
and the principal land marks very near cor
rectly.
The apology have for the roughness of my
map IS the haste have used in preparing il,
and this IN time for the departure of the express
and my intention OF forwarding TO your office
by the first OF December next, a more complete
map of the whole county, and also of all that
tract OF country lying between this county and
the ocean, with part of the adjoining territory
OF Oregon. This last i expect to obtain from
talented and scientific friend, who is now pros
pectlnS and exploring that country, and map
ping and noting the principal features as he goes
over 1t. | expect him to return to this place
by the first of November next. and hope then to
be able to present to you full description OF all
the northern part of the State.
1t is somewhat more than what properly be-
longs to me to do, but presume that whatever
new and useful information may give, will not
be thrown aside on that account
OF the country over which have lately been
rohinS, VIII Try " give sucn description
as can
From the Shasta range of mountains g. e..
those running N. N. w. from Shasta Butte) to
the Sierra Nevada, is large basin bounded on
the south by mountainous and very rough
range extending from Shasta Butte soth-easterly
to the Sierra Nevada.
This range is not ip all its length a distinct
range OF mountains. Volcanic eruptions have
scattered and broken the county into a rough
ness which | presume is not equalled in any
other part OF the State. Pitt river, the main
branch of the Sacramento breaks through this
county, and also McLeod's Fork (of Pitt river)
passing through canyons deep, narrow and
rocky, as to be utterly impossible to man.
The north side of the basin is formed by the
extension OF the umpqua and Rogue River
Mountains. In this basin are four large lakes
none of which, except Klamath lake, have an
outlet
Klamath lake, the source of Klamath river, is
from 25 to 80 miles long, and Is to 90 wide lis
waters are OF yellow muddy color, and very
strongly alkaline. Near its southwest corner /
found some fine specimens of chalk, and have
reason to think it is abundant in this part of the
country. There is no arabic land around this
lake.
East from Klamath is Tulare or Indian lake.
Around this are some valleys of agricultural
land. The water of this lake is sli Chilly aka
line.
Lost river, which heads in some smaller lakes
to the northeast, running west, then southwark,
and passing for some distance within g mile of
klamath Lake, empties into Tuare lake
2'his is a very deep, narrow stream The
!" natural bridge" this river is dam formed
by ledge OF rocks about 80 yards vile across
the stream Over this natural dam the river
pours in current about to - inches deep
while above and below, the water is generally
from to 10 feet Deep
TEL, IL
10 to Is wide. Across low range of barren
hills to the eastward and northward of this lake.
lies Little lake, smaller sheet of beautiful clear
good water. 1t is nearly circular in shape, and
ten miles across.
There is but little timber in the neighborhood
of these lakes-the hills and mountains around
only being sparsely covered with scrub growth
of cedar.
Eastward and southwark of these lakes the
country is very rough and broken. l crossed
several small canons usually from 10 to 60 yards
wide. and to 10 yards deep) which seemed
to have been once the beds of considerable
streams. The bottoms of these were usually
covered with rank growth of grass and will
lows
Goose lake is handsome sheet of water, ly-
ing directly at the western base Of the Sierra
Nevada mountains. 1t is 40 miles long and to
IL miles wide. The hills to the west of the lake
are covered with excellent pine and fir timber
There,are no streams other than small mountain
torrents emptying into this lake.
Pitt river rises about II miles to the south of
Goose lake, and runs in southwest course
McLeods Fork (of Pitt River) rises south of Tu-
lare, and its general course is southerly.
Along these streams there is but little arabic
land; indeed for the greater part of their course
they run through deep canons.
There is an abundance of game of all kinds
throughout all this country, and the lakes Eek
cept klanath) abound in water fowlSof various
kinds
The Indians arevery numerous, and are bold
hostile set of thieves. Some of the little party
was with were killed by them, and others Sc
yerely wounded
l extended my excursions few days beyond
the SIERRA Nevada mountains in examining the
canons, Mud Lake" and boiling springs OF that
strange country. Some account OF my observa-
tons may some day transmit to you, but would
prefer hrsf to visit that country again. and be
able to examine its curiosities more at leisure.
In the instructions you sent to me find such
an abundance of work 10 do that | think | shall
never accomplish half of it, and it is very Ger
tain to my mind that Twill not if have to do it
all without any remuneration. have seen no