, 1861-03-29

camped on the river in full view of the
pass, which we were to ascend the next
day. To the south of the pass is a round
topped hill called the Sugar Loaf, which
can be seen long distance down the river
Monday, March 18th. Left the river
entirely to-day, taking S f. direction,
and started fQg the pass, which We reached
IN about miles; passing two branches Of
small stream flowing from it, and travel
ing all the way through snow aboubt feet
deep. On reaching the summit, we stop
ped for short time to boil some water.
and ascertain the height by the thermome-
ter. Made it out to be approximately
1900 feet, The temperature of the Dir
was 62deg at 10 o'clock. The pass is
about 2 miles long, and one-fourth of a
mile wide, and the rise to it almost imper-
ceptible. The timber in it had been burnt
and the ground, which was very swampy,
was thickly covered with fallen timber.
There is small prairie on top of it. The
hills on either side are not very high On
getting through the pass we found rapid
stream flowing TO the east, shortly turning
S. E., through a narrow and rocky canyon.
In this however, there are for several miles
barren benches on either side which would
suit very well for a trail or road. In many
places there had been land slides which
had brought down earth, rocks and trees.
We passed the stream several times on
drift logs The stream, although not deep
being too rapid to ford The fall of the
water being probably $50 feet per mile.
The canyon at last became very narrow
and precipitous, and the benches disap-
peared. There was no snow since leaving
the summit. Travelled about IL miles and
camped.
Tuesday, March 18th. After going about
two miles, the canyon became more open,
and we could see the valley of q river, ap-
parently, with high range Of mountains
beyond it. We now turned to the east,
and passed on low range of bills to reach
this river, and at last came upon the edge
of the valley, which appeared to be from
to miles broad, and had -,bneral n >,
and south direction. None of the party
knew the country, and opinions were dvi-
ded; some thinking that we had struck the
Matches, and others the Cowltz. We
then descended into the valley to our old
stream, and after dinner resolved TO send q
party out toexplore. Pakwood and Long
myre started down the stream, and 10 about
three hours returned, stating that they had
come across camp of Indians, about two
miles down the stream, and had ascertained
from them that We were on the Cowlitz
river, about days journey above Klicka-
tat prairie. They said that it was about
3 days journey up the valley to where we
could cross the mountains over to the Ma
chess, if we could cross at all on account
Of the snow. There we're only women and
children and one old man in camp, the able
bodied men being all out hunting. The
two expresses also saw the main Cowlitz,
which they stated, appeared to be as large
as it is at the Cowitz Landing. As it was
now late, we resolved TO ehcamp where we
were, and send our Indians over to the
camp and endeavor to procure some more
suppoSing that they would con-
verse more freely with them than with us.
Our Indians returned about IL o'clock, hav-
ing been engaged all the time in gambling,
in which they had been very successful,
Judging from the number Of "ictas" wh hich
they brought back. They had heard moth
ing new relative to the country, stating
that the Klickatats were unwilling TO talk
about the subject
Wednesday, M1rch goth. The Indians
came over to our camp this morning, and
we had a talk with them, and offered them
blankets for one TO go with US as guide,
but none would 80. We therefore resolved,
finding that our provisions were getting
short, 10 retrace our steps to the Nisqually,
send our Indians back, and then ascend the
river for a couple of days, and endeayor to
6nd another pass, near to its head, so as if
possible, TO avoid crossing the second range.
We accordingly re-entered the canyon,
and after a severe march of II miles, ar
rived at the summit Of the pass and camped.
Shortly after we stopped it commenced
raining, which soon turned into snow, and
continued at intervals during the night.
Tuesday, March 2Isi. Showing this morn
ing when we started. Got down 10 the river
with considerable difficulty, as the snow
was soft and we sunk down in it at every
step. SHOWING heavily. We found that
it would be mpraciicable to put our scheme
of ascending the river in execution, as the
snow was too soft to bear us, and accord
ngly resolved to return. We accordingly
proceeded down the river, and camped af-
ter making about 10 or II miles. Wealth
er very bad all day.
Friday, March 22d. Showed all night;
some 5 inches of snow on the ground
Raiued and showed all day. Had to stop,
make Ere and dry ourselves. Made 10
or IL miles and camped,
Saturday, March 23d. Raiued and
showed all day. Very chilly and cold.
Camped in an old burn, where we had
plenty Of bark aud wood. Made about 10
miles.
Sunday, March PAN. Came opposite
the South Fork, made o bridge as we did
before, ard crossed. Continued on miles
further, to the Bald Hills. Rained and
snowned very heavily. Camped on the
Bald Hills.
Monday, March 25tA. Look the trail
this morning, and after l2 miles, came to