Year: 1859




The discovery of this pass through the
Sierra Nevada was one of the most fortunate
discoveries for this Northern section of the
f, country that have ever been made. We
already had two passes, the Noble and the
Henness, which were much lower than any
pass south Of them through the Sierra Neva.
da range. But the Yuba Gap proved to be
so much lower than any of the rest, that its
discovery at once settled the question as to
which portion of California would hereafter
receive the larger share of emigration into
the country, the northern or the southern.


As there seems to be some misapprehen-
sion in regard to this Yuba Gap, we would
state that there is no road through it at pres
ent except bride or pack trail; but it is so
good natural road that small amount Of
money will make it the best mountain wag-
on road in the State. The road now usually
Travelled by the emigrants is that which runs
through the Henness Pass, short distance
north of the Nuba Gap, and some persons
have supposed, when travelling through the
Henness Pass, that they were crossing at the
Yuba Gap. The difference however, is SO
great that it could not fail to be recognized
at the first trial, for the Yuba Gap is at least
fifteen hundred feet lower than the Henness
Pass, and two thousand feet lower than any
pass, south of it, in the whole range of the
Sierra Nevada.


The road now travelled, as we have OBJ
served, is through the Henness Pass. 1t
should properly be through the Yuba Gap
and will be,so soon as a little work is done on
the route. 1t is already in contemplation tc
proceed with the business, and we under
stand that Mr.. james, the County Surveyor OF
Sierra county, intends in a short time tc
make a survey Of the route from Downieyille
to Sierra Valley through the Yuba Gap, and
thence to the Washoe Diggugs, in order to
ascertain the exact height of the gap and the
length and distance of the route. A very
good estimate has been already made by ex-
perienced observers, but it will be better, of
course, to have one which is perfect


That fuller idea of the Yuba Gap may be
possessed by our readers, we will describe
briefly how it is reached from this city.
You start from Marysville, via the Yuba
Turnpike Road to Garden Valley, miles
this side of Camptonville. Thence you pro-
coed, via the Sierra Turnpike Road, to Dow
melville. Thence you proceed, distance Of
% miles only, to the Yuba Gap.


Sierra Valley lies on the other side The
contemplated new road from Downieville
will run from Downievilc, through this gap
to the Sierra Valley, % miles; thence to an
intersection of the Beckwith Trail leading
towards Washoe Valley. 10 miles; thence to
the Truckee river, % miles, thence to Car
son City, in the Washoe Diggings, IL or Is
miles From Carson City, the emigrant
road to the intersection of the great Salt Lake
Route is broad and open.


In reference to the Yuba Gap, it is proper
to observe that, in the dead of winter there
will never be any snow, oe any consequence,
for more than eight or nine miles of the
route, and the physical conformation of the
country is such, as well as the heavy eharac-
ter of the timber, that there is no such thing
as drifting The way will always be oper
and clear


The inducements for the immediate con-
tinuation of the Sierra Turnpike through
the Yuba Gap to the Washoe Diggings are
very great. Besides the immense richness OF
the Washoe mines. the vast quartz interests
which are springing up around Downieville
enter largely into a consideration of the sub
jeet In addition to this the agricultural re-
sources of the numerous valleys connecting
with the Washoe cannot fail to attract the
attention of the sensible observer. These
valleys are strung out at intervals all along
the Eastern slope; are watered by innumcr-
able clear and crystal streams, richly mar
gined with grass; are furnished with excel.
lent water.power; have fine grazing for
fiocks and herds produce all kinds of grains
and vegetables and are, in short, the very
spots of all places upon earth for the planting
of happy homes and the building up of a
thriving and industrious population.