The Shasta courier., 1853-09-17

From the Shasta Courier of lime 10, 1852
Immi grant Road across the Sierra Nevada
Mountains---Mr. Noble's Routc---Return
of the Prospecting Party.
On Thursday morning last, after an absence
of near six weeks, the party that accompanied
Mr.. Noble across the mountains. returned to
our town.
We cannot give as full report of the move
ments of the prospecting party as we could de-
sire--not having sufficient room.
The distance from this place to the point
where the road intersects the Humboldt river
is thought to be not more than three hundred
miles. 1t can be easily accomplished in eight
days with pack train. So far could be de-
iermined in the absence of proper instruments
for taking latitude and longitude, the route
docs not vary ten miles from direct line.
On no part of the whole road are the hills diff
fcult of ascent, travelling in either direction.
The road leading from this place into the Sacra-
mento Valley over which Concord coaches pass
daily, is said to be more rugged than any section
ofsthe proposed road.
In tra9 cling east from this place after the Sac
ramento Valley is left. the ascent is gradual and
easy all the way to the srnmlt OF the snountd1ns
IA distance of about ninety miles. After
days travel from the summit down the eastern
slope which is said to be gradual and easy de-
scent, the plain of the Great Salt Lake Basin is
reached at place called Honey Lake Valley
From this place to the Humboldt river, eighty
miles above its sink, the distance is about one
hundred and sixty miles. This section of the
route is almost perfect level, and is across that
strip of the country ON the east of the mountains
known the Desert. The passage of this Des-
EFT by immi grants, with animals worn down by
months OF tayel, has caused their chief suffer-
ings and loss. By the proposed road it is said
that this great obstacle in the path of the iInmi
grants Will be almost entirely obvated. The
greatest distance anywhere between Humboldt
River and Honey Lake Valley, where it would
be necessary TO travel without water, is not more
than twenty y-fve miles. AT all the watering
places this section of the road, grass is found
and i'll some places 1t is very abundant and OF an
excellent quality.
Honey Lake Valley is several miles in extent
and is watered by three creeks and innumerabe
springs 1t is now covered with luxuriant
growth of grass It's lands are all exceedingly
rich and are well situated for cultivation. Sew
eral members of the company took up claims at
this place, and intend returning within few
days for the purpose of improving them. This
valley will serve as an excellent place for the
wearied immi grant to stop with his stock, and
recover his strength after his long aud tedious
travel from the Missouri river. The grazing is
sufficient ior many thousands Of stock for the
whole year.
In the passage over the mountains no place
was found destitute either in water OF grass.
No stream was found in the whole road that
could not be easily forded.
In many places on the route, indications of the
existence of gold were observed. On The east
ern slope vast amount of quartz discov-
cred. The party. however, were not prepared
with the necessary implements, and had not
time, and are consequently unable to make any
definite report to the mineral resources of the
country over which they passed. 1t is conf
denily anticipated however, that rich deposits
of gold will be discovered on the route.