The Placer herald., 1857-05-09

Before proceeding further, we will point out
the inaccuracy Of Eddy's map of California in re-
gard to the position of Lake Bigler. On the map
The whole of the lake is placed within Placer
county and Utah Territory. This is Incorrect
The angle formed by the State line is in the lake
about ten miles from its southern shore, and be-
low the northern boundary of Ell Dorado county
From the angle the State line continues north
through the center Of the lake. This places one
half of it in Utah Territory and the remainder in
Placer and Ell Dorado counties, the largest por
tion of which is in Placer. (Bigler Lake is from
40 to 80 miles in length, and has a varying width
of from 20 to 25 milcs) Eddy's map also lays
down an emigrant road around the south end Of
the lake into Placer county, following down the
divide between the North aud Middle forks of the
American river There never was any such road.
The old Georgetown trail passes down the d-
vide between the Middle and South forks of the
American into FL Dorado county On the upper
portion of this road is Johnson's Cutoff This
must be the route intended to be laid down on the
map.
With this correction, the reader will be enabled
to trace upon the map Of the State, the road
through this county that is described in The fore
going, and form correct opinion of its mpor-
tance.
We propose to show the advantage our
road has for connection with the National road
which is to terminate near Honey Lake Valley.
We take it for granted, that in order to reach
Honey Lake the National Road will follow the
old emig grant trail down the Humboldt to its sink,
from thence it will strike directly to the shores of
Mud Lake, rounding its southern shore and con-
tinuing about westerly to Honey Lake Or it
may go from the Sink of the Humboldt to the
south end of Pyramid Lake, into which, the
Truckee, flowing from Lake Bigler, discharges
itself From here, ri ght up the stream in south
erly direction, and along the eastern base of the
Sierra Nevada, the road could be constructed to
the Truckee Meadows. At these Meadows the
Truckee cuts through the east summit of the Ne
vadas in an east and west direction. From the
Meadows right up the course of the river, to the
Placer county crossing at Lake Bigler, ii is but
twenty-five miles, and over a most favorable coun-
try; but little work is necessary to make an ex-
cellent road.
From the south end of Pyramid Lake along the
river to the Truckee Meadows, the distance is
so miles. Beautiful meadows are found along
the whole course of the stream, alternating from
right to left bank, the hills generally rising alb
rupt from the river opposite these meadows. The
banks of the river in many places along its course,
show the round boulders and gravel deposits
similar TO the high flats Of the American river,
which induces the belief that gold diggings may
be found. Between the Meadows and Pyramid
Lake surveys may show that the road can be
shortened by going over some of the hills instead
of always following the course of The river.
Taking, then, The south end of Pyramid Lake
as point at which the National Road will touch,
we have a distance from Sacramento to National
Road as follows:
Miles.
From Sacramento, over emigrant road
through Placer county. to crossing
of Truckec river at Lake Bgler, 10i
2" crossing Of Truckee to Trucbee o.
Meadows, 20
Truckee Meadows to south end of so
Pyramid Lake, oo
Total 179
The National road by leaving the Humboldt at
its sink, and continuing to the shores of Mud or
Pyramid Lakes, will pass through country
mostly well watored and having plenty of grass
thereby avoiding the inhospitable desert between
the sink and the waters of Carson river. The
routes from Calayeras (Big Tree) and FL Dorado
counties, in order to make as favorable connec-
tions as Placer with the National Road, will have
to cross both SUBMITS (the Placer routc avoids the
eastern summit by following the course of the
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