The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-14
GATES OF THE RANGE
Entrance to the 0lympics
Reached by O'Neirs Party.
CLIMBING UP a PREclPIcE.
Beginning Of the Government Expiora-
tfon-A struggle Through Forest
Mud and Rain.
from STAFF Correspondent Of the Pos s-Inteili-
Rencer.

from STAFF Correspondent Of the Pos t-lnfeih-
Rencer.
cawp NELLIE BIZ, July 9.-On the
morning of July the party sent out oy
the government for the purpose OF explor-
ing the Olympic range. accompanied py
the scientific corps of the Oregon Alpine
Club. landed ct the mouth OF Liilewauk
creek. and shortly after the advance party
took the trail for Lake Cushman.
The rartv is commanded by Lieutenant
j. p. O'Neil. Fourteenth infantry, and con-
sists of a geologist, mineraiogist, botanist,
naturalist, photographer. three sergeanss'
six priYates andsa packer.
The pack train, consisting OF t"eive
mules. took the trail for Lake Cusnman at
IL q. M, but though the trail has been
hacked over before, it was found necessary
to do considerable clearing, and in conse-
ouence only three miles were covered that
day. The trail, after leaving the shores OF
Hoods canal. leads up the flat at the
month of Lillewauk creek past Mr.. Tay-
lor,s ranch and climbs by very steep as
cent to the first ridge.
Here trouble was encountered for the
FIRST time, one mule making the ascent
three times and each time losing his foot
ing and rolling to the bottom OF the hill.
After gaining the summit of the ridge
the trail runs due west, crossing Big creek,
and leads through heavily-timbered coun-
try to Lake Cushman Lieutenant O'Neil,
realizing that the pack train could not
cover the remaining seven miles to the
lake that night, pushed on and overlook
the advance party on the east bank OF the
lake. Five members of the advance then
returned to the pack trairI, which in the
meantime had kept steadily on its way.
That first day and night will long be re-
membered by every member OF the party.
The mules, green from long spell of idle
ness, we're slow to assert themselves when
caught in bad situation, and, as the trail
crossed many small creeks, making soft.
muddy swails, greater part of the day
was spent in getting mules out OF the mud.
Add to this that none of the party had
eaten anything since an early breakfast,
that almost every roll of blankets in the
outfit was either smeared with mud or wet
through, and You will have the situation
which might have found us on July 2.
The trail had been represen ted as being
good and the distance only six miles, and
IN consequence preparations had been
made to camp at Laks Cushman that
night, but the trail was found to be bad
and the distance at least ten long miles.
On the morning of the third. the march
was resumed ana the party reached the
lake at D. m. Lake Cushman is q BODY
Of water covering an area Of about 1000
acres, fed aud drained by the river Skoko-
mish, its waters forming q paradise for
lovers OF angling. Is the fnny beauties are
gamy, large and plentiful. The view from
the east bank is Rrandly beautiful. the mount
aims rising on every side. abruptly from
the margin Of the lake almost to the line of
perpetual snow.
The lake was crossed on . raft belonging
to Mr.. Windover, who has q ranch on the
west bank; and the Iparty partook of a
plentiful and very welcome meal at his
house. After . short rest camp was
pitched and every person busted himself in
getting things in shape.
The next day being the Fourth of july.
no move was made. and the day was spent
in fishing in the lake, Professor Henderson
distinguishing himself by catch of nearly
100.
The following day Lieut.. O'Neil started
on ahead to locate . trail, and the scientific
corps started in to gather material for their
report. So far the weather had been fine,
but 1t commenced to ram on July 4th and
has continued ever since. The pack train
in the mean time was engaged in bringing
up the remainder Of the supplies from
LiIlewauk, and in this way four days were
consumed.
On the morning of the It'll, camr
was struck and the march resumed. From
the Windover ranch the trail led up the
right bank Of the Skokomish river, crossing
several small creeks and passing some four
or five cabins. No trouble was encountered
here, as the trail was good and level, follow.
ing along the river bottoms.
Five miles from the lake further progress
was barred by perpendicular bluff rising
from the bed of the river. Here camp No,
was pitched and dubbed "Nellie Bly,"
The next day all hands fell to to cut a
sig-zag trail up and over the bluff, and are
still occupied in doing so.
So far the only game encountered has
been two or three grouse and few pigeons.
and fish has been our chief diet.
At camp No. the party was ,oined by
Mr.. Church, q mineralogist and extensive
traveller in the Olympic range. At Camr
Nellie Bly, all signs of civilization end and
the next move win be into an entirely un.
known region. b. ]. B.
MAIL FROM AuASxA