. Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean . ving a range of low hills on either hand that on the east separating it from the San Joaquin valley. To reach this latter, fromMartinez, on horizontal ground, would be very easy—following the shore of the bay andturning the point of hills. But this route would be rather circuitous, and I therefore preferredto take the ordinary road, and cross the Coast range more to the south, at a pass known asLivermores ; which pass I believed would, u
. Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean . ving a range of low hills on either hand that on the east separating it from the San Joaquin valley. To reach this latter, fromMartinez, on horizontal ground, would be very easy—following the shore of the bay andturning the point of hills. But this route would be rather circuitous, and I therefore preferredto take the ordinary road, and cross the Coast range more to the south, at a pass known asLivermores ; which pass I believed would, upon examination, prove a practicable one. Thewhole of the first day was occupied in crossing our teams and mules, and the next morning wemoved, in a southeasterly direction, up the little creek upon which Martinez is built. To ourleft was Monte Diablo, a fine peak in the Coast range, and nearly 4,000 feet high—the highestfor a long distance. At its base is the finest and most beautiful valley in this vicinity, aboutfifteen miles long and three or four broad. It is covered with oaks, and is somewhat celebratedfor its excellent quarries of MONTE MABLO VALLHY. In proceeding towards Livermores valley, we have a range of hills on either hand ; that onthe right abounding in red-wood. Several saw-mills are established there, and supply SanFrancisco with large quantities of lumber. Our road was in the intermediate valley, which is livermores pass. 11 from one-half to two miles wide, and, to the eye, perfectly level. We are, however, at firstascending the little stream which waters Monte Diablo valley, and subsequently get uponground descending in the contrary direction. The greater part of Livermores valley is of agravelly soil, and unfit for cultivation. It is used principally as a cattle rancho, and numerous herds were grazing on different partsof the plain as we passed. This valley is about eleven miles long and six broad. A view ofits surface is presented in the ann
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