, 1858-10-08
Vancouver Trail

The OregOHiaH of the 7th ult., contains n
communication from Mr.. Il. n. SAwrELL
Announcing the completion of the trail
through the Cascade mountains from Van.
couver to the open country east, and sta
ting that government pack-train had
already passed over it from Fort Vancou-
yer to Fort Simcoe. The opening of
trail in the direction indicated at this time
is doubtless to be credited to the gold ex.
citement Of the past season-as, otherwise.
it would probably not have been opened at
so early day. Much credit is due the
citizens of Clarke county for the energy
with which this work was entered upon.
and the thoroughness and rapidity with
which it was pushed 10 completion. They
have added an important link in the chain
which unites the eastern with the western
interests of our territory, and cannot prove
otherwise than highly beneficial as an out.
let for the stock-grower, and thoroughfare
for government transportation. Through
the north, south and centre, is the Cascade
range now pierced with good, practicable
trails, leading to the broad praries of the
IWalla-walla, Yakima, and the Spokane
the country which is destined to be the
great pasture land-to contain the immense
herds of our stock-growers be the vast
corral or slaughter-house, so to speak, for
the future supply of Washington and a
large portion of Oregon Territory. The
day is not very far distant, when all those
trails will be converted into wagon roads,
upon oil of which the hustle and hum Of
business will startle the unbrOken sotudes
through which they now lead.
We make the following extracts from the
letter to which we have referred:
al am confident that when this trail shall have be.
come opened, 1t will be one OF the best in the
country All that il needs TO accomplish this Is travel
it is well known that old trail Is always easier on
animals than one newly opened, the hills both as
cending and descending, become worn and thereby
give much better footing. In two very necessary at
tributes this trail possesses great advantages-feed
and water The longest distance between grass which
could be depended on for large companies, being
thirty.6ve miles from this end Of the trail although
there is not mile OF this distance which Is not plent
fdlly covered with huckleberry browse Of which our
animals eat very freely. The hills on this trail are
not formidable they would naturally be sup
posed to be- The longest and worst one to ascend can
easily be circnmnayigated This will bring il on level
ground without increasing the distance On the pTinc
pie that the bale Of bucket Is long when standing
up as it would be lying down. Another thing worth
mentioning is the fact that there has been no logs left
In the trail which animals cannot very easily step
over Old packers are always down on a trail where
there are many large logs, nothing much strains
an animal as jumping with heavy packs on. The dis
ance from Vancouver to Smcoe 4 estimated bv those
who have travelled it TO be los miles Mr.. French as
has been before stated in your paper rode this In ~
hours and has since assured me that he could have
ridden i in even less time had he been properly
mounted.
To sum it all up in nutshell the trail is probably
as good one there Is IN the country and with the
requisite expense can be constructed into very good
Magon roAd.N