The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-08-13
The Upper Sodas.

Mr.. REGISTER Having recently,
with party of friends, made short tour
to the Cascades" as far as the Upper
Sodas." have thought brief account
of the trip might not be uninteresting to
your readers.
The mountain road is certainly credit
able to the enterprise of its projectors,
and IS in excellent condition, but little
short of as good as could be constructed /
on the ground it traverses. a tirstciass
span of horses would easily draw ton OF +
merchandise over its steepest activities /
In many places the road is fianked by
fearful precipices and far decending de-
clivities which suggest the Importance OF
true horses, strong harness and careful
driving. The road is amply wide for
single team at all points, but care must
be taken to avoid meeting teams on many
OF the long hillside grades.
The Wyley Mountain and the crossings
of the Sautiam arc the chief difficulties.
These, however, can be entirely avoided
the former by feasible route either
along the eastern or western base OF the
mountain, of easy grade and not materi
ally affecting the distance the six cross
ings west OF the Upper Sodas,' by a
road of easy construction and light grades
on the west side of the river. These
changes viii render the road available
much earlier in the spring. The cross
/ Jugs east of the upper Sodas' have
easy descents and can be readily bridged.
| When the improvements (already begun)
are completed, this pass of the Cascades
will be equal to any wagon road | am
acquainted with traversing the Allegheny
Ranges, and will prove of immense i'm
portance as thoroughiare between our
valley and the settlements in Eastern
Oregon. The tall mountains with their
crowns Of basalt, concede but a narrow
valley for the passage OF the river flowing
with descent of from sc to so feet per
mile, and presents a scene most imposing
and picturesque. There is, however
many nook aud cosy recess to attract
the lovers Of adventure and solitude, and
cabin at wide intervals already indicates
the home of q settler Trout, deer and
grouse, all abounding, attract and reward
the sportsman aud afford the most de-
licious fare.
The Upper Sodas have an altitude of
near 4 900 feet above the ocean level.
This water is pungent and agreeable to
most palates its most obvious properties
are diuretic, apperient and tonic. 1t
contains carbonic acid in large proportion;
also, chloride of sodium, aud carbolatcs
and sulphates of soda, magnesia. and
probably lime, with marked traces of
iron. No reliable analysis has yet been
/ nft fad huS ko hara triaA
| confde largely IN its healing virtues
, Capt. White IS the genial and obliging
proprietor.
The Lower sodas" are Is miles wes'
) of the Upper, and Of 1000 feet less alti
tude. These consist of several springs
closely GROUPED, and rising through seam:
IN the rock, lying horizontally, and main
ly, below high water mark, in the chan
mel of the Santiau,. The lowest spring
/ was discovered during our trip by Prof
7. G. Taylor, of our party This is ;
beautiful jet within bowl in Il rock
Yields by careful estimate over % "a 9u
Of water per hour. Th.s is n ms
sparkling. concentrated faa -t--4 g
ali the spiln@s, : r9us. 5a4-e e
raj coG,i .aca, - .n0se .: ~
Upper >odas w..i- E-.o.aaiy more l.m
ana less lfoD, anu lnUichtioh OF 1odlnc
Here the recession of the mountain
form heausiiai tiIn1ered valley on eacl
: side q tie r.ver. containing quite a
extent q fertile land
Mr. Vim E.nd.ey, well know
citizen Of Linn county, Is the proprietor
The energy aHd enterprise of this gentle
man is gVscareoo thai ere long thcs
sp:ines will become a popular place c
5 resort Measures have been taken t
{ secure thorough analysis of the water
c and convenient baths will soon be erected
e These springs are about 40 miles fror
II Albany. Among the foothills Of the "Cas
Il cades" are the Summers Springs and tn
: Waterloo Springs, the latter rising fror
;; the bed of the river. They are of cas-
Ii access and much visited.
Q After enjoying the pure air and exhil
II rating scenes of the mountains for te
days, our party returned in safety wit
e many pleasant memories Of the incident
e, and adventures of our excursion.
E. r. GEARI