The Nevada Democrat., 1860-09-05
rHE HENnEss oR NEVADA PASS.

Editor Democrat III have to-day, met Mr.. II
Hecker, ofDry Creek, Yuba county, who has just
returned from Virginia City, ria the great "Nevsda
Pass, /" and learn from him some interesting partic-
ulars in regard to this route.
Mr. II. left Marysville with eleven wagons, haul
ed by oxen, and loaded with $1,000 pounds Of
freight, being principally the machinery Of quartz
min for the Mexican Company, to be located at the
mouth Of their new tunnel at Virginia City. The
trip was made in the middle and latter part Of the
month of Augustine. Hecker arriving at Nevada
to-day, 1.-THE 3lst inst) The whole Of the above
large amount Of freight, safely delivered within
the stipulated time, at Virginia. and the whole trip
accomplished in manner satisfactory to all parties
concerned.
An abundance Of good grazing for cattle was
found along the route In this respect the road is
believed to be greatly superior to any one, Of all the
different ones Travelled.
Mr.. II. speaks Of the route as being admirable
for mountain road, and declares that in months
time, when the construction is fully completed this
road from Nevada to Virginia City will be superior
to the present roads from Sacramento and Folsom
to Nevada.
The most difficult portion Of the route for heavily
loaded teams, at the present time, is about four
miles from Virginia City the steep hill on the turn
pike road from Steamboat Valley. A much needed
improvement, Of great comparative cost and value
the turnpike road Of Messrs. Rice, Laird and 9TH
ers-which win avoid this hill, is being pushed
rapidly, and viii soon be part Of the road.
Mr.. Hecker speaks in high terms Of the substan-
tial and thorough manner in which the work is be-
ing completed, on the northern branch ria San
Juan, by which his teams went out, as well as the
division ria Eureka, by which they returned. The
labor and expense bestowed on the grade above
Forest City, and on the hills this side, and beyond
Bowman's, show the determination Of the Directors
to make the best road possible, where passably
good road could have been made at less expense;
as also their confidence, that eventually they win
be well remunerated
Among many other points especially mentioned,
the heavy work in the neighborhood Of Dog Valley
is worthy Of notice, and that around the Sand bluffs
on the Truckee. Those who have heretofore passed
over this route on horseback, win remember the
dizzy precipice at the latter place. and the cruni-
bling sandstone which slid from beneath their feet
and dropped in fragments from overhead. This has
been changed to broad road, Of easy grade, where
stages will be driven at the gaop, and travel
ers resting in security on cushioned seats, will wit
ness one ofthe finest exhibitions Of grand and rug
ged scenery that nature has displayed in all these
mountains.
When the whole road is completed, the teamsters
will find the heaviest grade and most difficult por-
ton of the distance, from Marysville acranento
to Virginia, at the Illinois bridge crossing Of the
vi n. 4. T.la
that this is the crossing commonly used by persons
going to Forest City, Downieville, Orleans Flat, and
the upper portion Of Nevada county, and that stages
and teams as heavily loaded as any that leave the
cities below pass over this scorst portion Of the
whole distance across the Sierras daily, in large
numbers, and hare been doing so for four years,
it seems to me the whole question Of the practical
bity of this route, well as its great value to the
travelling public, must at once be conceded The
road through the Henness or Nevada Pass is now
the best crossing Of the Sierra Neyadas, for dis
lance of 900 miles. JuNIUs.
Nevada, Ausust 3lst 1860.