[The Truckee River, Sacramento Transcript, April 18, 1851]

 

The Truckee River.

            When the Truckee river bursts forth first upon the view of the overland immigrant, it is just after he has passed over an arid desert of from forty to fifty miles in length. The view of the Truckee as it first breaks upon the vision, is one of the grandest that can well be conceived. The limpid waters and the green trees stand out in strong contrast with the desolate country around.— The grass is fresh and luxuriant, and all animated nature seems revived at the change. The stock which had been used to willow bushes and dry-sage, nips the tender blades of grass with a peculiar relish.

            The immigrant on arriving at the Truckee, will find good grass about two or three miles below the first crossing. The river is a fine bold stream, about 150 feet wide, clear and very swift. The immigration of 1849 crossed the Truckee some twenty-seven times, but last year this was obviated to a great degree. Some of the crossings are exceedingly difficult, having large round stones at the bottom, which are termed "negro heads." We give last year's detail of the trip.

            On the 22d of September, our party arrived and crossed over to the North side, and laid by to recruit the stock one day. We crossed the river on the 23d seven times, some of the fordings being exceedingly rough. Twelve miles from the first ford we left the river and took off to the right, up a ravine, to its head, passed over the hill, and three miles travel brought us to the river again. The road is a rough one. We left camp on the 24th, early, and kept up on the north side for about ten miles, where we crossed the river again over the very roughest kind of a road. These roads are travelled to avoid the dangerous crossings. There is some grass at most of the points along the river. Five miles farther brought us to the Big Meadow on the Truckee. This is a beautiful valley, about ten miles wide, the river running very nearly through the centre.

            This valley is almost surrounded by mountains, and presents a handsome view when contrasted with the wild scenery around. The Sierra Nevada appears in full view, though its snowy peaks are far distant. The grass is quite good here, and immigrants should recruit their stock, and if late in the season, make some hay. The general course of the river to its head is west. One of the annoyances to the immigrant is at an end when he reaches the Truckee ; we allude to wood ; for there is a good supply of that article onward to California.

            We drove out again on the 25th—nine miles of rough road, though no hills, brought us to the ninth crossing, which is exceedingly bad. The immigrant will of course find new crossings this year.

            On the 26th we left the Truckee river and took over the mountain to the right, up through the first thick forest of pine and cedar on the route. Some of the hills we found steep until we attained the summit, then we descended into a fine valley which is five miles from the river. Eight miles more brought us to a fine mountain stream, about thirty feet wide. The grass was quite good here. Where the pine commences at the last crossing of the Truckee, the river runs due north and south. We found the forest dense, with its growth, immediately after we entered it. After we left Truckee we traveled north, until we arrived at the valley before referred to, when we took a course almost due west.

            The feelings of the traveller as he leaves the burning wastes behind, and enters into the shade of the magnificent pines, the lofty cedars, and the spreading fir trees, can more readily be imagined than described. The whole man seems to be refreshed and invigorated by the change. He feels more hale and his weakened system seems to gather strength from the freshness and life-like picture around. For thousands of miles he has looked upon dead and decaying nature, but here, every thing teems with life, and man regains his wonted buoyancy and vivacity of spirits.