Snow peaks, Bull Run Mining District, Nevada

O'Sullivan, Timothy H., 1840-1882 · [1871]

Descriptive legend of view no. 1: A summer view of the snow-capped peaks of the Bull Run Mountains, about 9,000 feet in altitude, which form the eastern limit of the broad valley of Owyhee, in Nevada. In these mountains are mines of silver which were examined by a portion of the expedition in the early part of the season of 1871. This detachment came from Carlin, a station on the Central Pacific Railroad, which was the ground of the first rendezvous camp of that year. In crossing this range, great difficulty and danger in the deep fields of snow which were yet remaining, although it was then the month of June, was encountered. Observe on the picture the line which runs to the right obliquely up the nearest hill; this is the trail made by the marching party whose animals were obliged to labor and founder through snow which lay at a depth of four or five feet. In the Cañon which crosses the foreground of the picture the mining camp, which was their objective point, lies hidden from view. Reaching this they found the miners inactive, awaiting the more complete disappearance of winter snows in order that work might be resumed, impeded greatly, in these remote mountain districts, by the rigorous and enduring cold of the winter, and by the inefficient means of transportation to the outer world.