, 1853-09-24
Ths summit OF Mount St. HeIens.

From the OTegonian Sept. 3.
After four days hard travelling VIC have
made forty miles toward Mount St. Helens,
upon trail, (by some called "military
road ~ which we care moi 10 taavel again.
This trail was recently cut by a party under
De command Of Capt. MeClelland, U. S.
A., who is engaged in exploring, with the
Ticw Of asceriaining the procticability of
northern route for the Pacific railroad. II
would seem that they had taken extra pains
% cul and mark their way in the shape of
anms horn, for the purpose Of crossing
every fallen tree in sight.
Upon our arrival al Vancouver, we were
Disappointed in securing one pack animal
which had BEEN promised us there, but Gov.
Ogden, upon learning it, with his usual lib
eraliiy, promptly supplied us with one. AZ
ier pariaking Of a substantial dinner with
he governor, We left for the mountains.-
The first night we slept at the house Of a
stller, some eight miles out. In the morn
ing we found one Of our horses had taken
@French leave" Of US during the night, and
we dispatched a messenger back to Vancou-
yer afler him. with instructions to pack on
what we could not take on before. We
were here joined by Mr.. Hardisty, gentle
man in the employ Of the Hudson Bay Com
pAny, who was anxious 10 sec little noun
Tain life, but who became satisfied after
three days travel that the reality of noun
tain journey Is not as pleasant as il is "crack-
eduP 10 be.n Tive other gentlemen from
vancouver came on and overlook US lasl
night at our encampment, and after enjoy
ing the felicity Of sleeping, or rather lying
upon blanket on the prairie, for one long
rainy night, without the least shelter, they
with Mr.. H. concluded to return. We
could not urge them 10 90 on, as the rain
was pouring down, and we had gained the
not very aattsring intelligence from party
Of Indians here, that we were yet four days
lravrl from the mountain, and that the road
was much worse than any we had travelled.
But we-the original parly-set out for ST.
Helens, and we are determined 10 go there !
We hardly think it possible that The road
ahead is much worse than any we have
srayelled,' for the roughncss Of some portions
Of il battles description. We have gone up
ehasms several hundred feet in height that
would puzzle q goat 10 climb. Thus far,
however, we have had to stop and unload
only two Of our pack horses, who have fal-
len with their burdens (only one hundred
and iny pounds each) in consequence Of the
Icughness Of the road. Being mounted on
animals accustomed 10 mountain travel, we
feel i0leFably safe in riding where a pedes-
tnan would hardly venture.
Asyel we have seen but little good land
:rlhe country generally is not only rough
but poor and large part ofthe timber has
been destroyed by ERE. Game is undoubt-
sdly abundant. ehave witnessed numer-
Gus 'igns of bear, deer, elk, and panthers
although, thus far, we have seen no game
hFger than grouse, parlridges, SC. Last
night we were serenaded by apaek Of wolves
on The mountain near by our camp, which
gaEe rise 10 miscellaneous discussion re-
Psetng damp and dry powder and caps
marvellous stories about griEzley bears, tigers,
Panshers, &C., and wonderful exploits in
hunilng them. Finally, all became quiet
Except the rain, which continued through
NE night Pattering upon our blankets, and
collecting in their folds, ready 10 give any
one cold bath who did moi exercise the
greatest care in turning over.
on the moTning Of the 18th, we left our