Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-08-13
Report of the Cowlitz Valley Road Viewers

Unsolicited, we the undersigned. have ex-
amined the above route for a road across the
Cascade mouneains, ria the Cowlitz Pass, and
beg leave to make the following report:
We left Mr.. Barton's, on the east end of
Cowli,z prairie, and travelled N. of E. until we
struck the Cowlitz river, distance Is miles.
The land we passed over is rolling. with fir
timber, end numerous prairies containing from
two to five hundred acres each, all level good
arabic land, covered with high fern. AT this
point we crossed the Cowlitz river, requiring
but very little work to make good road.
We crossed in canoes and swan our horses
over. We were told that there was a very
good ford th:ee miles below, but did not 60
to see it.
Here we came to the Klikatat prairie,
which is about three miles long. From this
point we tsaveled about tho same course upon
which we started out, until we struck the Cow
litz river near where Skunk creek puts in
distance from Klikatat prairie, seven miles.
About one-half of this distance is through an
old burn, the remainder of the way through a
high, level piece of excellent vine maple land,
requiring but little work to make road until
we come to the river. There some grading
would be necessary, which could b. easily
done, there being no rock.
From this point (Skunk creek) until we
reached the falls, distant % miles, the route
lies through brush bottom and open burns,
quite lsvel excepting one point of land that
comes down to the river, which would require
grading, not exceeding, however. fourth OF
mile on each side. The cost would be
lght-perhaps 500 on each side-no rock,
the ground looking like burnt or rotten
quartz and ashes. From the falls we had to
20 up hill of half mile. but it can be as
cended by an easy grade. From there we
have to descend che same distance to the
south fork of the Cowlitz river. The road
could 20 around this hill and reduce the hight
but increase the expenses, which would not
be much either way when compared with the
Nisqually route. From the falls to the river,
two miles, crossing good; thence from the
south to the north fork one mile, land rolling.
From this to Ce-cum-is, or maple prairie, dis.
tant 1s miles, the land is level, excepting two
small hills which would require but little work
more than the removal of the logs. The re-
mainder Of the road is through brush bottoms.
There are three small streams the banks Of
which would require some grading. From
Maple prairie to Kiouas ranch, distance OF
five miles, the roMte about the same, no hills.
Eight miles from here is big creek, crossing
good. Five miles from here We crossed the
Cowlitz river and struck the Nisqually route,
five miles above the Indian camp.
The route passes through good arabic land
nearly all Of which could be cultivated. That
above the falls is better adapted to grass. on
account Of the frosts. From where we inter
sect the Nisqually route. on the other side o'
the Cascade mountains. our route would have
to be the same, and we suppose it to be good
from the report Of the viewers Of that route.
The distance from Cowlitg prairie to where
the routes intsrsect is only 80 miles. and can
BY made good wagon road all the way fo'
$50 or less per mile. ON an average; with
plenty of grass, wood and water to supply any
number of immigrant teams.
L. A. DAVIS,
J. T. BRowNINo,
e. T. FINCH,
MARCEL BuRxEY.