[87] Lieut.-Col. W. H. Emory, _Notes of a Military Reconnoissance from Fort Leavenworth, in Missouri, to San Diego, in California, Executive Document_ 41, Washington, 1848. _Meteorological Observations_, p. 163. Camp 44, half-mile south of the Pecos, Aug. 17, 1846, altitude six thousand three hundred and forty-six feet. Camp 45, on the Pecos, near Pecos village, August 18, six thousand three hundred and sixty-six feet. [88] This is the lowest height of the peaks seen from the valley. Some of the other tops are much higher yet. The altitude of Santa Fé Baldy, for instance, exceeds twelve thousand feet. [89] Not to be confounded with the Rio de Pecos proper. The _arroyo_ is not found on most of the maps. Its width is about 100 m.--330 ft.--but there is scarcely ever more than a mere fillet of very clear, limpid water in it. [90] This is, however, only accidental, and exclusively due to nine months of consecutive drouth. Generally the strips of bottom-land have a rich soil, and grow fine corn, wheat, and oats. [91] They are very picturesque objects, and stand out boldly, appearing to rise directly from the plain. Their height is stated to be about thirteen thousand feet. In this vicinity are the Placitas, now famous for mineral wealth (gold and silver), and the Cerrillos, also rich in ore, and containing beautiful green and blue turquoises, of which I saw excellent specimens in possession of His Excellency Governor L. Wallace. [92] Baughl's Sidings is a switch and large storing-place for ties. Even the Spaniards call it La Switcha. It is about 800 m.--2,620 ft.--from the foot of the _mesa_, in a belt of fine large pine timber, very high, and gives glimpses of splendid views over the valley of Pecos to the Sierras beyond. Climate fine, but nights very cold. The buildings are as yet nearly all temporary; it is more a camp than a place as is it now. I spent ten very happy days here, from the 28th of August to the 6th of September,--or rather nights, since the days were, with two exceptions (5th and 6th of September, when I visited Pecos town and explored the high _mesa_), devoted to the study of the ruins. I shall always gratefully remember the uniform kindness and attention with which its inhabitants and transient guests have treated me, and assisted me in my work. Aside of those whom I shall have occasion to name in the body of my report, I take occasion to express my thanks here to Messrs. McPherson & Co., and to their obliging manager, Mr. Wright; also to the station agent.