["N.," Trip to Washoe No. 2, Sacramento Union, March 13, 1860]

 

TRIP TO WASHOE— NO. II.

Stalled by the Snow — Breaking Jail — A Hard Case — Freight Accumulating.

STRAWBERRY VALLEY, March 7th, 1860.

            In my last, I informed you that all travel beyond this point was suspended, and that parties would go out yesterday to break the trail across the summit; but, owing to the storm continuing during the day, with a high wind, but light and warm fall of snow, it was not done. This morning, Old Sol came out bright and warm above the snow-clad peaks, and such a turn out as there was from our crowded hostelry would furnish a theme for a ready writer that would interest your readers far beyond my power.

            When I said parties would be sent ahead to break trail, I thought there was enterprise and interest enough among the packers, traders and teamsters along the route to do this ; but I find they are the same easy go-lucky set of fellows that I met here three years ago, that like to turn an honest penny without making an extra effort, but are morally opposed to any labor that can be avoided. They can sit longer before a rousing fire, that will blister the shin of an ordinary man ten feet off, smoke more villainous pipes, drink more tarantula juice, and play a longer game of "draw" than any set of men you can start. Yet, should any green-horn be in danger of losing his life (anything short of that he would have to take, together with their sport at his expense), they would make Herculean efforts for him that would astonish those not familiar with their rugged nature.

            At an early hour this morning an agent of Brady & Co. determined to start his passengers ; and twenty or thirty others, one-half on foot, also prepared to go. Seven of the nine passengers, with the energetic express rider, J. A. Dobson, of Wells, Fargo & Co., led off, and before they were out of sight the first mule and rider lost the trail and floundered over head and ears into the snow ; and a nice, jolly time they will have of it. The difficult point is at the summit, distant eight miles. There the road, as you are aware, descends into Lake Valley by a cut along the precipitous mountain a distance of two and a half miles, making a perpendicular descent of one thousand or twelve hundred feet. This cut, or "the grade," as it is familiarly called, is exposed to the highest winds of the mountain regions, and before the train can get through it, it is necessary to shovel off the snow that has fallen and drifted into the old trail. Experienced men inform me that it is impossible to do this in one day, unless large parties start and work rigorously from both ends, and even then it is doubtful, after so severe a storm. So I should not be surprised to see our enthusiastic leaders come back to-night, sadder but wiser men. At all events, myself and companion can leave here in the morning, should the weather continue good, and easily overtake them before reaching "Woolford's," where we again take stage to Genoa and Carson.

            It is a painful reflection to me, when I think of the blind zeal of many who come to our State with high hopes, willing hands, and energy to accomplish much, if directed by a little judgment. A case in point: A young, active, intelligent man, reached here before we did, on foot, and left with many others this morning. Yesterday he told me that, finding it pretty hard to get along in San Francisco, he thought he would try his luck at Washoe, and his detention here had nearly exhausted his means, and he was living on one meal a day ! Consider that the late storm has increased materially the depth of snow at the diggings, and that the towns are full of penniless men, too glad to work for their board. What can this young man and these like him do for the next month or two? I do hope that the press will continue to raise its potent voice against this insane rush to an inhospitable region, totally unprepared for such an increase of population. I have it from good authority that at Virginia City and other points it is now totally impossible to get a shelter for the night by all who seek it, and the closing of the road by the late storm will make provisions so scarce and high as to produce an amount of suffering fearful to contemplate.

            As I anticipated, a large portion of those who started out with the hope of reaching Lake Valley returned here this evening, the larger number stopping at the Summit House, an unfinished building seven miles from here. There were upwards of forty men and twenty-three animals started out, and after the most laborious efforts all day only accomplished seven miles. Those who remained at the summit will probably try and push on, while those who returned to the comfortable quarters at this point of Messrs. Berry & Crosby are unwilling to start again until we hear that the trail is opened.

            March 8th.— To-day is bright and beautiful, but we are compelled to be still, as we are all dependent upon the slow action of the sled owners and packers. A few of the former went up the trail this morning with empty sleds, expecting to reach the Summit House. But the hard work down the grade is avoided by all but the enthusiastic remnant of the stage and foot passengers, who went yesterday and remained at the summit. From the best information I can get, I think the trail will not be thoroughly opened till the 10th instant. In the meantime, there is a very large accumulation of goods here and vicinity, to which will be added, no doubt, a large amount of passengers that will soon make the travel over the mountains easy and pleasant.

            I suppose many like myself have wondered why freight should be so high by the sleds when the trail is well opened, as one would naturally think that they could carry over the snow as heavy a load as the wagons ; but such is not the case, owing to the fact that the trail is too narrow for two horses abreast. Consequently they have to go "tandem." Beyond this point are innumerable little brooks unbridged, in which the sleds would stall were they heavily loaded, and again the trail has to turn many sharp corners, so that all the draught comes on the shaft animal. It is the opinion of the more experienced that loaded wagons will not be able to go through before June. Should this be so, it is easy to imagine that living will be immensely expensive to the thousands that will rush there in the next ninety days.

            Major Ormsby and train arrived here at noon, and will push on for Lake Valley to-night.  I hope he may get there.

                                                                                                                                    N.