, 1861-03-29
Journal Of The Exploring Expedition
For Pass through he Cascade Mountains South o
EIount Rqnier


Monday, March llth, 1861. Left Olym-
pia about IL o'clock, in WinsoPs wagon,
with Maj. Blankenship and an Indian,
George one of our packers. In passing
the reserve, obtained other Indians, and
we're joined by Mr. Packwood. The whole
party then proceeded on to Yelm, to Mr..
Longmyer's house, who was to accompany
US.
Tuesday, March 18th Mr.. Longmyre
furnished us with two horses this morning
TO pack our provisions, &c, as far as the
Bald Hills, II miles distant, which is the
the first stage of our journey, and we
started about O'Clock. There is a good
road from his house for miles, as far as
Layman's prairie, and an Indian trail for
the rest of the distance. Passed Whites
farm and Novelties on the prairies. Ar
rived at the Bald Hills about o'clock,
and camped at a small spring. Sent the
horses back Party consists of Packwood,
Longmyre, Blankenship and De LaRH and
Eve Indian packers. After scen-
ded to the top of the Bald n ich is
about 1900 feet high, and from thence had
a magnificent view Of the whole country
At the foot Of the hills could be traced the
Nisqually river, with its two long tributa-
ries, the Owhap and Michel, and a
large lake, probably Kipowsin. To the
west could be seen the Lacamas and Yelm
prairies, and Nisqually plains, together
with the coast range, and part Of the
Sound. To the east were the Cascade
mountains with numerous spurs, and Mt.
Rainier towering gradually in the setting
sun. above them all
Wednesday March 18th. Crossed the
bills this morning, our course being gener-
ally to the east, passing several rayines at
the head Of the Deschutes river, and turn
ing to the north, struck the waters Of the
Nisqually, and kept on until we came to
the main Nisqually, and the mouth of the
South Fork, aud camped, having made
about miles to-day, over q very boggy
and bushy country. Packwood killed two
deer. There are bluffs on both sides of the
river at this point from 100 TO 200 feet
high, and also on the South Fork. There
are ravines, however on both sides, down
and up which road could be constructed
without any very high grades. We found
to-day timothy grass growing. which had
been scattered along the trail by Packwood
and Longmyre, in former trip made some
three years ago. The Smith Fork is q very
rapid stream about 40 yards wide. The
main Nisqualy is about so yards vide, isl
very rapid, and has fall of about 40 feet
per mile here.
Tuesday, Marah l4th. The morning
was spent in endeavoring TO fall a tree
across the river, so as to pass to the other
side. Several were cut down, but invari
ably broke in the stream. At length two
Of the Indians swan across with the axe,
and by cutting poles, made bridge from
one Of the large trees which had lodged in
the stream to the other bank, on which we
all passed in safety. We we're now on the
north side Of the Nisqually, and assembled
the bluffs to the table land on top, and took
an easterly direction SO as to cut of large
bend in the river We travelled thus for
about miles, and camped on a small
stream flowing through an alder bottom.
The timber we passed through to-day was
mostly burnt, except in the alder swamps,
and the land deep aud rich, without gravel,
and excellent for cultivation.
Friday, March Is. Continued our course
Of yesterday; the general direction being
to the S. of E. Shortly after leaving camp,
crossed low ridge and assembled a butte,
in which It terminated Thence we des-
cended into the valley beneath, and after
passing through an alder swamp and cross
ing n small stream, re0ched the river where
we dined, having made about five miles,
The valley passed through seemed to be
very extensive, and very fine land. After
dinner, kept on our course, still s. Of E..
passed several small streams, and generally
Travelled on bench about so feet high,
which runs along the river, and finally
camped at an old camp Of Paekwood and
Longmyre. We made about IL miles to.
day, and cut off two or three bends of the
river.
Saturday, March l6. Our route to-day
lay generally near the river, on top Of the
bluff before mentioned; our course being
still s. Of E. We occasionally descended
to the river in order to preserve our course,
aud cut off distance; particularly at one
place called the "Big Spread" where the
river has small arms which are crossed in
preference to going through thick swamp.
Just abreast, we passed around Che foot ol
a small butte, and again came upon our
bluff, or rather table land. On this we con-
tinued for about miles, when we came to
the mouth Of another large branch Of the
river called "Lequady," or Cedar creek,
coming in from the southeast. We still
kept up the main river and camped, having
made about l3 miles to-day. 1t was evil
dent from yesterday aud to-day's travel
that the north side Of the river is the prop
er one for road, as the south side is very
high, steep and cut up by ravines, The
river is broud, but cut up'by grayelly bars,
and fordable in many places. The banks
were heavily timbered, and the land good
for cultivation, To-day we saw the first
signs Of snow 10 the valley under some
logs.
Sunday March l7ts. The river com
menced to turn more towards the north,
and the mountains close in to the river on
the northern side. The southern bank is