The teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1876-1878, 1877-05-26

the brink Of the canyon of Grande
Ronde river opposite the main Nez
Perez crossing leading to the Wallowa
valley, and in view Of the camp ground
Of the troops who had come with wa
CONS from the Wallowa valley to said
camp on the opposite bank of the can
yon. We had before learned that the
troops hada day or two before broken
camp and gone in some unknown direc-
ton. This deferred US from seeking to
cross the river. We made camp and
left our wagon, saddled our horses and
searched for an easy grade for wagon
road to the river. We FIRST took down
a gulch leading far back into the table
land from the river, and followed down
the same to the river brink and found
an excellent grade the entire distance,
in no place not more than 20 inches to
the rod. The length of the entire gulch
is about 81 miles. There we found
good crossing, but We also found no
suitable ground for wagon road up
the bill on the opposite side Of the river
and we also found that we could not
ascend or descend along the margin of
the river on either bank to good ground
for q road up the opposite hill. by rea
son of the preci pitons rock bluffs that
enclose the margin of the stream. We
then rode up the stream over two high
spurs making from the table land to the
river and came down to the main Ne2
Perez crossing. Opposite this crossing
terminates long smoo,he ridge with
very sradua! slope from the river to the
summit of the table land on the south
side ofthe Grande Ronde. and where
the Indian trails now ascend to tho
camp Of the troops before mentioned.
We then became satisfied that if we
could find good grade from this cross
ing to the summit where our own camr
was, the question Of wagon road to
Wal!owa from Lewiston would be settled
beyond dispute. Accordingly We as.
ccnded a ravinc in direction west Of
north about mile and one half to
where it forked, the right fork we found
too steep. but the left fork we found
good grade for some distance, but found |
that it terminated abruptly near the
summit. We then turned and followed
a good grade round the point between
the two forks, and swung in around the
head OF the right fork and came out up
on bench of ridge where formerly |
lumber had been delivered with wa.
gon from the Assotin mill. We then
proceeded up this ridge to the summit
and came to our camp. TO build
good wagon road from the summit TO
the river via this route will REQUIRE
about one-half mile Of deep grading on.
~, the cutting Of some underground
and the removal Of some loose rock in
the gnlch, and some little work on the
ridge near the summit. No blasting
Will be required so far as we could fore
see. We are of the opinion that the
work of ten men for 20 days under a
skilled road builder will make a better
road tor wagons from the summit on
the north side to the summit on the
south side of Grand Roude river. than
many parts of the stage route between
his place and Walla Walla. All else
'f the road between the mouth of the
Assotin creek and the Grand Ronde
river is as good natural road as can be
found 10 any country for the same dis.
lance. The entire distance between
Lewiston and the crossin: of Grand
tonde at the point contemplated is less
han y miles if We goakp the bank of
Snake river to mouth Of the Assotin.
In returning We came through from our