The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-11

the dferent routes presented, that cAded NO. pre-
sents more q the nrst and fewer OF the ass. kun'
ming with but little DETECTION nom the thirty hnh
degree parslel il enters the Sierra Nevada ct tia
same point that two OF the others must. Theee, 70
reach this same point, must make numerous smaller
reflections around mountains, independent Of the
from AZ dogs 80 min, SO degs 50 min, and 80 dega
80 min. No. might enter by Warmers Pass but
the grades will DO too heavy Besides, an obstacle
of vast importance Is to be found in the sandy desert
lying west Of the Big Colorado river rendering the
attainment Of either Warmers or Walkers pass Z
very questionable matter. Passing in Its course
through wide open gaps, instead Of over high ridges
all heavy grades are consequently avoided. The
only mountains to be crossed are the Sierra Nevada
and these common to all. The chain rises at the
northern portion 10 an immense height, some Of the
peaks towering up as high as 10000 feet above the
level of the sea- The summit level OF the most prac
dcable passes in this PORTION is about 10 900 feet
The ascent is easy on the eastern side, but on the
western slope it is abrupt and almost impossible TO
be overcome without series OF Inclined planes;
these, Of course, account Of danger and expense
should never be used except as last resort The
Rocky Mountains present an almost unbroken line
as far as the Santa Fe road.
Below they take the table or mesa form for about
fifteen miles. Then two clupps or distinct noun.
tans rise from the plain, called the Placer and San
Ola mountains, South Of them is o wide opening,
through which the road from Anton Chico 70 Al
buquerque passes The heaviest grade on this Is
about ten feet to the mile and 30 good is the road
itself that large wagon trains passing from the
frontier to Santa Fe, have gone over it in preference
to the usual one, although the distance was In
creased some sixty miles, To pass through tho
Rocky Mountains as far north as Nos. and 2, no
point as favorable as the above can be found, be-
canse the submits Of some portions must be at
tanned, and because the chain itself is wider re.
qAiripg, consequently, vast increase Of expense.
time and labor From Albuquerque, by ascending
the Rio del Norte as far as the mouth Of the Rio do
Jemez, crossing and following that stream, thence
by the Soda springs, near the town of San Isdro,
they divide between the waters Of the Atlantic and
Pacific is attained without the slightest difficulty
no mountain has to be crossed, for the divide is
simply convex surface lying between two escarp
ments, that on the east being the Jemez mountains
that on the left the Tunioha mountains.
From this point. BY passing through the valley Of
the Ojo del Oso, the Tunicha and Zuh mountains
are conquered without the slghtest difficulty. From
here, either turning down to Zufi and following the
Zuh creek to its Junction with the Little Colorado
river, and then that to thirty miles below tho Cas-
cade or striking out nearly west by the Csltes sprag
and hoqui villages to the same point on the Little
Colorado no difficulty at all Ia to BE- met with. From
this point on the Little Colorade broad valley can
be followed to the Yampai creek, and then taking
its course the Big Colorado Is reached, the heaviest
grade requ red being from twenty five to thirty feet
and this for not more than five miles. From the Big
Colorado to Walkers Pass no obstacles present them
selves. On No. even after passing the main chain
Of the Rocky Mountains, greater difficulties are to be
conquered in the high mountains in the vicinity Of
the Salt Lake. II this route leads to Walkers Pass
fewer obstacles will Intervene than il that by Hum
boldt river and Carson river be followed A wide
sandy desert must be crossed, and Afterwards the
Sierra Nevada, near their highest elevation.
No. 2, beyond the Rocky Mountains proper pre-
sents an obstacle lying in the junction Of the Sierra
Blanca and Sierra de Chowatch. The pass through
this is called Coo cha to pee but Of its character
know nothing from reliable data Beyond, the obsta-
cles are few and inconsiderable. No 4, the summit
level being the western side Of the Del Norte and
near it, the ascent is abrupt, and grade not less
than forty or fifty feet, pc rhaps more must DO over
come. From this the ella has to be followed, but an
immense amount of labor will be necessary as this
stream cahons in several places Besides. its north
ern bank must be followed to keep within our own
possessions- The wagon route pursued by It. Col
Cook, U. 8. A., in 1896 whilst In command Of the
Mormon battalion, independent Of the sand, presents
far better route than that by the ella. But this
route lies also beyond our territory.
Routes Nos. 3 and 4 cannot be objected to on A.
count Of snow for they both lie too far to the south
whilst Nos. and are impossible for several months
in the year. A glance at tie map will show the gu.
periorty possessed by No. in regard 20 its central
position.
owe you thousand apologies, but my time has
not been my OVID. am busy from sunrise to 10 P.
NJ, and by that time too weary to write. | am ut
Fort Massachusetts, now, and We start to morrow,
August 23d 1t is cold, and I have irs six feat
high ib front Of my tent. Three blankets aud robe
src more too much for comfort.
Believe me to be, truly yours.
R. Il kern.