Oroville daily Butte record., 1857-05-05
Report OF the Wagon Road Reconnoi-
To Honey Lake U'agon Road Committee
of the Citv of .ndyysriHe

GENTLEMEN In compliance with yonr
/ instructions, on Tuesday the l4th day Of
! April. 1857, we started from the city for
/ Honey Lake Valley. taking in our way the
! following places Rabbit Greek, Gibson
Vile, Nelson Point, American Valley, and
! Indian Valley, and arrived at Honey Lake
/ Valley on Monday, the goth of the same
month
On the oath we started to return, having
occupied our time during the four days in
tervening in examining the passes lending
out of the Valley, and found but one which
we deem practicable, as follows
Commencing at point on the West side
Of Honey Lake Valley, known as Rupes
Ranch, we proceeded nearly due West
course, and crossing Susun River, at a dis,
tance of about eight miles from the place of
starting, at the mouth Of the Western
branch Of said river
Thu. far, the road has gradual ascent,
almost impcrceptible, and it is not until you
look back upon the Valley, that you become
aware Of having reached so high M altitude.
! This hin requires little or no grading. The
principle labor will be found in removing
the loose stones or boulders, none OF which
are sufficiently large to offer any serious
difficulty. Along the top Of this ridge, are
n number Of small valleys, where it will be
necessary to ditch, III order to make the
road good in the Spring-at all other sea-
sons Of the year it is good natural road.
! A the crossing Of the river before mon
| toned, bridge about seventy feet in length
will be required After crossing, We pro-
ceedel up the West branch Of the river. a
distance of bout two miles, where we reach
ell the summit Of the Sierra Nevada Noun
! l.. -, 81, l,.f,
ticed. When standing on the summit
where there is not one particle of snow
you would not be made aware of the fact,
except by observing that the streams part
company, one running towards the Pacific
ocean, and the other towards the Honey
Lake Valley.
From the summit we change our course to
our bearing South Westerly direction, and
descend into u beautiful valley kn wn as the
Mountain Meadows, through what can east
ly be made n beautiful road The road lays
through the valley, distance Of about ten
miles, some portion Of which-sny one half
the disance-will require dItching on both
sides in order to secure dry road in the
Spring.
From this point we entered wooden
country, through which we passed in
straight line bearing n westerly course to
the Lasson Meadows, distance Of about
miles. Through the LassOn Meadows we
continue the same straight course, a distance
of three miles, when we strike the north
fork Of the Feather river. This, it will be
necessary to bridge with substantial struc-
ture of about one hundred feet in length
Timber convenient and Of excellent quality.
From the north fork we pursue n more
/ Sont thprlV direction thrnOuh tho tyoo1u
leaving the old emigrant trail to the right
through which we found level pass that
can easily he made good road, and reached
Butt Greek in n distance of about six miles
This creek will also, require bridging
From Butt Creek you strike hill through
which good pass was found This leads
into Soda Spring Valley, formerly known as
IIumbug Valley, n distance not exceeding
three miles from Butt Creek.
From Soda Spring Valley, we assembled,
by n very easy grade. to the top of the
mountain, where we found about three feet
of snow. which was soft, and the only snow
between Marysvile and the Honey Lake VAL
lev, on the route we are here describing
The distance over the snow will not exceed
ten miles. and we became satisfied, from the
observations we are able to make, that
good road with an easy grade, can be made
the entire distance without any difficulty
Over this portion of the road, four yoke Of
oxcn. on the 10Th Of November last. hauled
fny.sir hundred pounds of freight in one
wagon, which freight was purchased in tho
CITY Of Marvsville In addition to this. we
are advised that stock has been driven over
the road during the entire winter
From this point, where we left the snow,
we proceeded southweNterly, and reached
Chapparcl House in n distance of fnur miles,
over a rood road. In coming 10 this house
we reached Chapparel Hill. This is the
worst hill on the route, bnt an easy grade
can be found over it by avoiding the pres ent
road. The entire distance between Soda
Valley and Chapparel House is eighteen
miles.
From Chapparel House, we prooee led. ex-
nminng all the way, critcaly.to E0velocks,
said to be eighteen miles, hut from an ex-
animation VIC are convinced it is Less by Mt
least two miles Over this entire distance,
n beautiful stage road can be easily made
from thence to Do Town, about four miles,
still bearing south westerly direction, the
road IL easy, requiring hut light work to
make it. all that can be desired
From Dog Town to Pence's Ranch, in
the valley, distance of eleven miles, we
have no occasion to speak, as il is we'll
known by all stage men as being one Of the
best mountain roads in California.
From Pence's Ranch to Oroville, we pro-
ceed over an excellent road, the distance be-
ing eleven miles; and from Orovile to Ma
rysville twsaty- seven miles all are famil-