The Nevada journal. [volume] (Nevada City, Calif.) 1851-18??, 1857-10-02
Wagon Road,


We took a trip to the summit of the
Sierras last week over the old Truckee
route, and came to the conclusion there
from that the pioneers Of this Oldest
route into the State, took especial pairs
to climb all the granite hills, and avoid
all the grassy bottoms possible. The
road we. took on the outward passage
has been used down to the present year,
and bears evidence of great travel upon
the rocks and trees in the inscription of
thousands of names of ambitiour travel
ers, seeking to perpetuate the fact of
their having traversed in different years
back to 1916 The old road outward
after leaving Bear Valley passes for
about six miles through succession OF
valleys, perfectly level and supplied
with good strong feed. After that for
most of the way to Summit Valley it is
an aggregation of hdeous preeipices
and rocky passes, that are sought thro'
a route making a DETECTION of at least
six miles from direct course. We
could not wonder, in view of the nature
of the road, that the old Truckee route
is at present SO little travelled. Human
patience and the strongest wagons alike
are completely worn out in the transit
We observed large trees worn deeply
10y ropes by which wagons had been let
down the precipices. Such was the
road we travelled in going to the sum
init.
In coming back we took the "Taylor
cut off, at the lakes, new road work
ed by a company Of Missourians this
year, and descended at once into the
valley Of the South Yuba, where the
road for many miles ran down the Yuba,
through fine meadow lands encountered
with tall grass, aud beautifully watered.
We avoided the frightful hills by the
Devils Peak, cut off six miles Of the
distance, and accomplished the distance
on horseback from the lakes to Nevada
city in one days ride, which by the old
route is good journey for two days.
The Truckee route is acknowledged by
all acquainted with the various passes
into the State to be the best for feed
and water, Nothing but the ingenious
ly laundering direction that has been
given to it round by the steep hills at
the base of Devils Peak, has kept the
great body of emigration from passing
over it. We have no doubt that when
"Taylor's cut off" becomes generally
known, the route will be preferred to
all others. We met a number of emf
grant trains in charge of men who had
passed over the road in previous years.
These men were loud in praise of the
improvement, and pronounced it now
incomparably the best entrance into the
State for emigrant trains. Our citizens
should consult their best interests and
finish the work so auspiciously begun.
a thousand or two dollars judiciously
expen1ed would make a splendid wagon
road from Bear Valley>to the summit
A large part of the route is now natu-
raj level road and if we can Judge
from observation and the experience of
gentlemen more intimately acquainted
with the country, the road down the
South Yuha bottoms can be continued
to Six Mile Valley, avoiding everything
like difficult passes. We trust attention
will lie given to this matter, and such
facilities furnished as will draw the en-
igration into our midst, to the benefit of
the emigrants and the business of the
county. Several prominent citizens are
interested in the matter; and surely we
have as much public spirit amongst us
as there is in other counties which are
moving in the matter of wagon roads.