Part 26 (2/2)

16.70. Las Lonas.-Road follows the river bottom. Scattered bunch-gra.s.s on the hills.

11.40. Vegas.-Road follows along the river bottom. Gra.s.s poor.

16.80. Metate.-Road runs along at the foot of a rugged mountain. Excellent gra.s.s at the camp.

14.70. El Horral.-Road ascends to the plateau, which it follows for seven miles over a level country, then descends over gravelly hills to the river. Camp on the river bank near the desert. Wood plenty.

20.80. Los AlG.o.dones.-Road runs along at the foot of the hills or spurs of the desert; small rugged hills, vegetation dwarf mesquit, cacti, etc. Good gra.s.s at camp.

7.40. Fort Yuma, on the Rio Colorado.

Total distance from Fort Thorne, N.M., to Fort Yuma, 571 miles.

XXIV.-Lieutenant Bryan's Route from the Laramie Crossing of the South Platte to Fort Bridger, via Bridger's Pa.s.s.

Miles. Laramie Crossing to 14. Bryan's Crossing.-Road runs on the south side of the Platte. Good gra.s.s and water.

12. First Crossing of Pole Creek.-Pole Creek is a rapid stream, sandy bed, 15 feet wide, and two feet deep. Good gra.s.s on the creek, and wood three miles off on the bluffs.

37. Second Crossing of Pole Creek.-Road runs along the creek. Good gra.s.s and good camps at any point. Good road.

17-1/4. Third Crossing of Pole Creek.-Good camp. Wood on the bluffs.

20-1/2. Fourth Crossing of Pole Creek.-Creek dry for three miles. Good gra.s.s.

20-1/4. Bluffs covered with dead pines.-Creek is crossed several times. Road runs over a rough, broken country. Good gra.s.s.

14-1/2. Road from Fort Laramie to New Mexico.-Road rather rough. The valley opens out into a wide plain. Plenty of gra.s.s.

10-1/2. On Pole Creek.-Good road; good camp.

20. On Pole Creek.-Road crosses several ravines, most of which can be avoided by keeping on the bluffs; the valley is narrow. Gra.s.s not very good.

17-1/2. Cheyenne Pa.s.s.-Road pa.s.ses over a rolling country. Good gra.s.s; willows for fuel. Military post established here.

14-1/2. Summit of Black Hills.-Source of Pole Creek. Gra.s.s poor.

10-1/4. East Fork of Laramie River.-Good camp.

16. West Fork of Laramie River.-Good camp. Cherokee trail comes in here.

14. Cooper's Creek.-Wood and gra.s.s.

10-1/2. East Fork of Medicine Bow Creek.-Wood and gra.s.s as far as Pa.s.s Creek.

2-1/2. Small Creek.

6. Birch Creek.

5-1/4. West Fork of Medicine Bow Creek.

2. Flint's Creek.

3. Elm Creek.

7. Rattlesnake Creek.

5. Pa.s.s Creek.

14-1/2. North Fork of the Platte.-Good road over high prairie. Five miles before reaching the river the Cherokee trail turns to the left, and crosses three miles above. Good camps on the river.

3-1/2. First Crossing of Sage Creek.-Good road. Gra.s.s not plenty.

10-1/2. Second Crossing of Sage Creek.-Road runs through Sage Creek Valley; hilly, broken, and sterile country, covered with sage-brush. Gra.s.s not abundant. Cherokee trail leaves three miles back.

4. Third Crossing of Sage Creek.-Road continues through sage-brush. Gra.s.s gets better.

3. Fourth Crossing of Sage Creek.-Good gra.s.s, wood, and water.

9. Bridger's Pa.s.s.-Road runs over a hilly country, crossing several small branches, with a little gra.s.s upon their banks; country covered with sage.

3-1/2. Muddy Creek.-The valley of the ”Muddy” is deep and narrow at first, and afterward opens out. The crossings of this creek were either bridged or paved by the troops in 1858. But little gra.s.s in this valley.

20-1/2. Near Muddy Creek.-Very little gra.s.s; poor camp.

16-1/2. Bridger's Fork of the Muddy Creek.-The road for thirteen miles runs over a rolling country, then over a rough, broken country, with deep ravines. No water in this fork in a dry season; small springs of brackish water near the crossing. Gra.s.s poor.

4. Small Spring.-Water bad; gra.s.s poor.

2-1/2. Small Spring.-In the bluff. Water bad; gra.s.s poor.

1. Haystack.-Clay b.u.t.te. Spring in the dry bed of the creek. Bunch-gra.s.s.

5-1/2. Small Springs.-In bluffs on the right of the road. Gra.s.s poor and water bad.

7-1/2. Springs.-There is a fine spring at the foot of a steep hill on the south side of the road. Very little gra.s.s; rushes on the creek.

3-1/2. South Fork of Bitter Creek.-Good gra.s.s and water.

14-3/4. On Bitter Creek.-Country hilly, and intersected with deep ravines. South Fork is a fine stream of good water.

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