The Placer herald., 1866-06-16
ICOMMC NICATED
SopA SrRlNG VALLEY, Placer County
,.1 lima 10Th 1896

y. i
ing observed that you manifest considerable
interest in the mining enterprises of this
County, by devo,ing a column of your pa.
per weekly in its behalf, would offer few
mneralogical suggestions which may par
haps be Of some benefit to the Gold and Sill
ser quartz seekers OF this vicinity.
The above mentioned mining district. was
discovered some two years since, by j. N.
Smith, an old resident of this county, whose
geological Investigations for several years
have been confined to this District. Soda
Spring Valley is located at the head of the
North Fork OF the American river, miles
south of the Dutch Flat Wagon road, 10
miles west Of Lake Tahoe, and 5 mile south,
easellv from Meadow Lake. To natural
4. beauty, picturesque scenery, and romantic
landscapes this valley prominently stands
out unique and wonderful in all the features
that compose it. Your scribe, with party
of mineraliss, who are now sojourners in
this enchanted Valley, recently crossed the
snow belt Of the Sierra Nevada Mountain;
leaving thu Dutch Flat road at Tinker's uoi
tel, after three days of recruiting and procur-
ing sufficient amount Of forage for our trip,
we embarked on our pedal expedition via
the trail. Two miles nearly over three feet
of snow, brought us over the snow limit to
the Summit which divide the waters of the
South Yuba and the North Fork of the
American. From this position the traveller
could look downward into the valley of the
American river clothed as it is in its EN-
erad rode, which contrasted strongly with
the chilly regions of the country we had
just travelled.
On our descent towards the river we eros.
sed several small meadows, not exceeding in
area 100 or 200 acres, which looked like
oases growing amid'the gantic fir trees that
surrounded them. These little plains were
carpeted with rich verdure, the genuine
grass which time and sun mature into lecili.
mate hay. These meadows offered rich
pasturage for the stock during the drv sea.
son, which is driven up from the valleys be-
low, and herded during the months of July
and August. We were soon in the valley of
the American River about one mile below
our point Of destination. Taking up the
stream, half an hours walk brought the
bamy air~of Soda Valley TO our nostrs.
We were in the valley of our G olden antci,
pations, surrounded by lofty mountain
peaks at tie North, Triumphant piles Of
granite lifted in grand proportions at the
South, and at the East rising in snow crested
majesty were the skyward peaks of the Sier-
ras until our vision became confused by dis,
tance. Vegetable creation was spread out
profusey at our feet-tlowers that batfls
iption-innumerabl mountain violets
opened their vergaed petals to bid us a
welcome TO the haunts of their retirement.
Notwithstanding year had rolled off
cycle into the abyss Of eternity since our
visit here, yet all was familiar as if it were
but yesterday we had visited this enchanted
ground. The boisterous cataract in the river
opposite our camp, still tumbes its volumes
Of protoxid Of hydrogen down the granite
stairway Of fifty teet-rolling off Sacramento.
ward in color resembling acteal very
much.
People may speculate upon The grandeur
of Niagara. Excursonists and adventures
may descant upon tue unparalleled magn-
icenco of Yosemite.
Philosophers and clerical dignitaries may
expatlate upon the precipat waters
of The various localities of the world:
which ill ihe mind of man with alteration
and kindles flame of ivid fancy in the fur
mace of the duIIest imagination, which
causes the most sceptic to quake at the en-
mlstakable evidences OF a Divinity. But the
ceaseless overpowe'lng water avalanche at
our side is sufficient to enliven The most in
veterate intde TO lift his soul in reverence
to him-"Who made the world and heaped
the waters far above the lofiest mountains"
We come now to the vast mineral resour.
ces of this District which are as vet undevel
|
been done, but sufficient labor to hold valid
the titles of the claimants. judging from
the rock, which is merely groupings we
would not hesitate to say that our candid
opinion is that Soda Springs, as mining
District will rank foremost in richness of
rock, facilities for crushing, and convenience
for working. Water privileges are remarka.
bly,fair the gigantic timber surrounding the
valley, will be great nducement for capi
itallsls, and the apparent inexhaustibility Of
5 the lodes, all conspire to offer unexceptional
9 inducements to men who are Interested in
; quartz. Several parties on prospecting
tours, visited Soda Spring Valley within The
past few days, from Meadow, Lake Mountain
City and Virginia City, pronouncing the
: prospects far better than at Meadow Lake
or the above mentioned mining districts,
judging from the returns. The most promi
nent lodges are the Granite, the American,
' Pittslaurg and the Cataract The Silver
Dip and Golden Dip Derrick lodges, dscov'
J cred few days since, are very rich in APP
pearance, specimens of which can be seen at
Tinker's Hotel. Messrs. Weber, Smith,
Benedict, & Co., have just completed their
block house 26 by lS feet. Several COM
panies are busy now doing necessary work,
prospecting, etc. Several tons of rock is
> being taken to Summit City or Meadow
Lake by parties, intended to be crushed A
|, wagon route is surveyed and work COM
menced, running from the valley north in
tersecting the Dutch Flat road at Tinker's
on the Central Pacific Railroad.