unites with Captain Whipple's and
Lieutenant Beall's roads to California.

Another road, which takes its departure from Fort Smith and passes
through the Cherokee country, is called the "Cherokee Trail." It
crosses Grand River at Fort Gibson, and runs a little north of west to
the Verdigris River, thence up the valley of this stream on the north
side for 80 miles, when it crosses the river, and, taking a northwest
course, strikes the Arkansas River near old Fort Mann, on the Santa Fe
trace; thence it passes near the base of Pike's Peak, and follows down
Cherry Creek from its source to its confluence with the South Platte,
and from thence over the mountains into Utah, and on to California
_via_ Fort Bridger and Salt Lake City.

For persons who desire to go from the Southern States to the gold
diggings in the vicinity of Cherry Creek, this route is shorter by
some 300 miles than that from Fort Smith _via_ Fort Leavenworth. It
is said to be an excellent road, and well supplied with the requisites
for encamping. It has been traveled by large parties of California
emigrants for several years, and is well tracked and defined.

The grass upon all the roads leaving Fort Smith is sufficiently
advanced to afford sustenance to animals by the first of April, and
from this time until winter sets in it is abundant. The next route on
the north leaves the Missouri River at Westport, Leavenworth City,
Atcheson, or from other towns above, between either of which points and
St. Louis steamers ply during the entire summer season.

The necessary outfit of supplies can always be procured at any of the
starting-points on the Missouri River at moderate rates.

This is the great emigrant route from Missouri to California and
Oregon, over which so many thousands have traveled within the past few
years. The track is broad, well worn, and can not be mistaken. It has
received the major part of the Mormon emigration, and was traversed by
the army in its march to Utah in 1857.

At the point where this road crosses the South Platte River, Lieutenant
Bryan's road branches off to the left, leading through Bridger's Pass,
and thence to Fort Bridger. The Fort Kearney route to the gold region
near Pike's Peak also leaves the emigrant road at this place and runs
up the South Platte.

From Fort Bridger there are two roads that may be traveled with wagons
in the direction of California; one passing Salt Lake City, and the
other running down Bear River