AND PACIFIC COAST GUIDE.

187 |

rewch the road-bed on the opposite eldte, | climate is invigorating and healthy, and

which we can see runs parallel with us,
Soon it is found, and turning to our left,
we cross the valley—Rice’s Ravine—on a
trestle bridge 113 feet high and 878 feet
long, under which can be seen the track of
the narrow gauge railroad, from Colfax
to Nevada. Gradually the height grows
less, until it is reduced, at the end of 600
feet, enough to admit of an embankment
being raised to meet it. On, over the em-
bankment, which curves around to the
left, and now we are on the solid hill-side,
and running along opposite the road by
which we passed up the valley. We now
have our last and best look at the bold
bluff.

The best view of this noted place is ob-
tained when going east, or from the river
below. Viewed from ihe river, the pass-
ing train looks like some huge monster
winding around the bluff, bold point,
puffing and blowing with its herculean
labors, or screaming angry notes of de-
fiance, or perhaps of ultimate triumph at
the obstacles overcome (see page 189).

When the road was in course of con-
struction, the groups of Chinese laborers
on the bluffs looked almost like swarms of
ants, when viewed from the river. Years
ago, the cunning savage could find only

a very roundabout trail by which to ascend

the point, where now the genius and
energy of the pale-face has laid a broad
and safe road, whereon the iron steed car-
ries its living freight swiftly and safely on
their way to and from ocean to ocean.
When the road-bed was . constructed
| around this point, the men who broke the
first standing ground were held by ropes
| until firm foot-holds could be excavated
| in therocky sides of the precipitous bluffs.
| Colfax—is 4.5 miles from C. H. Mills,
and about two miles beyond the high
bridge mentioned. This is a regular eat-
ing station, and an excellent table is set.
| The company have a large depot here, this
| being the distributing point for freight
| bound for Grass Vaile , Nevada, and a
| large scope of mining country. The town
| is named in honor of Schuyler Colfax,
| one of the warmest friends and earliest
| supporters of the road.
Rblfax is a substantial railroad town.
Tt contains about 1,000 inhabitants, is well
watered, and has an air of general thrift
about it, which marks all the permanent
towns along the road. The school and

 

the inhabitants a thrifty, driving, enter-
prising people; the greater number, na-
tives of the State of [llinois, who emi-
si to this country in early days— _
849-—50.

Intinors Towx— is a half-mile west,
once a noted freighting point for the sur-
rounding mines, now the only business is
raising fruit, apples, peaches and pears.

Towa Hii1—is a mining town, 12 miles
south of Colfax. A good toll-road crosses
the American River on the bridge which
we saw when rounding Cape Horn, and
follows up the mountain to the town,
which contains about 250 inhabitants.
Formerly stages ran daily to lowa Hill
and the mining camps to the southward,
but for some reason, they now run only
semi-occasionally. Private conveyance can
always be secured at Colfax at reasonable
charge.

As our trip is for pleasure, and to see all
that is worth seeing, we will need to take |
atrip to the old mining towns of Grass
Valley and Nevada.

 

Nevada County Narrow Gauge
Railroad.
The General Offices are at Grass Valley.
Joun F. Kipper...........Genl Superintendent.
vical coil ulcteaeconcen a ee Sen ies |

This road is a three-foot narrow gauge;
commenced in January, 1875, and com-
pleted May 22, 1876; length, 224¢ miles.

his is a very crooked road. has 15 trestle
bridges, aggregating 5,176 feet, two truss
bridges, each 165 feet long, and 97 and 85
feet high, respectively; and two tunnels, |
aggregating 800 feet. As for the scenery—
well, it is cmmense—the rapid and aston-
ishing changes remind one of the kaleid-
oscope, and its wondrous changes. Here
are to be seen every variety of mountain
scenery, as though a choice morsel of each
of the grand beauties of nature had slipped
from the hand of the great Architect while
distributing them, giving such a variety of
magnificent views as are seldom, if ever,
found in the same distance traveled.

On the route we shall pass through fear-
ful chasms, and tortuous canyons; under
and over lofty bridges, through dense for-
ests, beside bright green fields and tower-
ing mountains; tall pines, and diminutive |
manzanitas; huge smelting furnaces, and |

church accommodations are ample; the| thundering quartz mills; long water fumes |