James White was a 21 year old farmer from Quincy, MA. In 1849 he sailed from Boston around Cape Horn to San Francisco and the gold diggings of California. In all he spent 6 months at sea and a year in California. I've transcribed his journal and am publishing it here as well as on Amazon/Kindle and Apple/iBooks.
Monday May 20th.
Little cooler all day approaching the mountains the road uneven (save bare tracks). Saw marked on a tree or cut on the side of trail. D. Julien December 12th, 1844! The road uneven & stoney and hard for cattle. The distance traveled was 20 miles today on account of water.
Camped near Capt Redding’s Ranch, an old settler on Cottonwood Creek. O how weary were we when we arrived here. What won't man do for money!
May 21st.
Rather warm today. Started in Company with five other teams, 4 yokes oxen each. The road rather good & descending. Nearing the Mts. Camped on the Sacramento at noon and on Clear Creek at night. Distance traveled 14 miles. Left the beautiful Sacramento. On on over the mts we must go.
Wednesday May 22d. 1850
On the last days travel for ox teams. The morning was cool & the air very bracing at the north by the Chasta [Shasta] Butte Mtns from which the Sacramento takes it rise. In part they were covered with snow. This was one of the most magnificent sights I ever beheld. The contrast, the beautiful valley, the Sacramento winding its course with here & there the mighty oaks as if made on purpose for man and mighty works of God.. But now we are to leave the valley & try the mountain life.
At 2PM we arrived at the upper springs or Chasta City. We passed Salt Springs through what is called Redings Diggings. The road very rough. Saw one team completely smashed and where two or three others were. The springs (from which the place derived its name) were pure & pretty.
There were about thirty houses & tents on the place. The inhabitants rough & ragged & desperate looking. Distance travelled today 10 miles. Clark, Southern, & Davis started back on the road in Company with three others who kept in Company with us for Cottonwood Creek & an exploring tour up the crest, & left me in charge of the goods etc.
This is the city known today as Shasta or Old Shasta, a California State Historic Park: Link to Wikipedia entry for Shasta