AND PACIFIC COAST GUIDE.

183 |

whole length of the deep snow line on the| cars forthe East, at Truckee, without re-

dividing ridge. When we consider that!
along the summit the snow falls from 16 to
20 feet deep during a wet winter, we can
imagine the necessity and importance of
these structures. By this means the track
is as clear from snow in the winter as are
the valleys. Themighty avalanches which
sweep down the mountain sides in spring,
bearing everything before them, pass over
the sleping roofs of the sheds and plunge
into the chasms below, while beneath the
rushing mass the cars glide smoothly
along, the passengers hardjy knowing but
that they are in the midst of an enormous
tunnel.

Where the road lies clear on the divide
or level land, the sheds have sharp roofs, |
like those of any building calculated to
withstand a great weight of snow. But
where the road is built against the side of
these bare peaks, the root of the shed can
have but one slope, and that must reach the
mountain side, to enable the “ snow-slides”
to cross the road without doing harm to
that or the passingtrains. (See illustration,
pages, 101 and 170.)

ires sometimes cause damage to sheds
and road, but seldom any delay to the
trains, as the company have materials of all
kinds on hand for any emergency, and,
with their swarm of men, can replace
everything almost as quick as it is de
stroyed; but, to further protect the snow-
acs and bridges from fire, ard the more
effectually to extinguish them, the Railroad
Company have stationed the locomotive
Grey Eagle at the Summit (with steam al-
ways up and ready to answer a summons),
with a force pump of large capacity, sup-
plied with steam from the engine. At-
tached to the locomotive are eight water
ears, the tanks on which are connected
with each other and with the tender of the
engine, so that the supply of water will al-
ways be sufficient to check any ordinary fire.

The Summit House, located at the sta-
tion, is one of the best hotels on the road
and can furnish tourists with every accom-
modation required, while spending afew
days or weeks exploring this very inter-
esting region.

Passengers from the West, desiring to
visit Lake Tahoe, can take a stage atthe
Summit House, which will afford them a
fine view of Donner Lake, while rolling
down the mountain and around to the
north and east side of it, en route to Tahoe.
Returning, those who choose, can take the

turning to the Summit. Fare for the
“round trip,” $6.00.

Leaving the Summit, we pass on through
the long shed, and tunnels alternately, |
around the base of towering peaks, anon
over high, bare ridges, then through grand
old forests, for 5.77 miles to

CascapE—Here we cross one of the
branches of the Yuba, which goes leaping
down the rocks in a shower of spray dur-
ing the summer, but in the winter the
chasm shows naught but a bed of snow
and ice.

Summit valley, one of the loftiest of the
Sierra valleys, lies to the west, a broad,

rassy meadow, dotted with trees and ly-
ing between two lofty mountains, about
two miles long by one mile wide. It is
covered with a luxuriant growth of a
affording pasturage for large bands of cat-
te, dming the summer. It is ail occupied
by dairymen and stock-raisers, at whose
comfortable dwellings the tourist will find
a hearty welcome. It is a delightful sum-
mer retreat; a favorite resort for those who
prefer the mountains, with their cool
breezes and pure water. The valley is
watered by many springs and snow-fed
rivulets, whose waters flow to the Ameri-
can River.

This valley is becoming noted in a busi-
ness point of view, as well as being a place
of summer resort. It is becoming cele-
brated as a meat packing station, it having
been demonstrated that pork and beef
can be successfully cured here during any
portion of the year.

Sopa Srprrves —are situated near the
foot of Summit Valley, their waters unit-
ing with others, forming the head waters
of the American River. The springs are
very large and numerous, and the water is
pronounced to be the best medicinal water
in the State. Itis a delightful drink, cool |
and sparkling, possessing the taste of the
best quality of manufactured soda water.
The larger of the springs have been im-
proved, and great quantities of the water
are now bottled and shipped to all parts of
the State. Near the Scda Springs are
others, the waters of which are devoid of
mineral or aciduous taste, and boiling hot.

In the summer these springs are much re-
soried to by people from the “Bay.” There
is a comfortable hotel at the Springs which
is reached from the Summit by stage, and

sometimes at a side- track, called “Soda