The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-11-20

Clark s fork by the nOthern trail, and
to repair to the Spokane house, on the
Spokane River, TO receive additional
instructions. He was directed in his
instructions to Lieutenant Arnold to
provide for his not meeting Captain
Mcclellan or receiving instructions
from, and was likewise directed, in case
OF similar experience on bis own part
to push forward on his own route, either
by Wallah. W allah or the valley OF the
Yakima, and thence over the military
road, taking the precaution, however,
to communicate 10 any event with
Wallah. Waliah for instructions.
likew Use determined to assign that res.
olute and intelligent civil engineer,
Mr.. Tinkham, to the duty OF examining
the Marias pass, OF returning by the
maiu Flathead trail to ST. Mar!
thence by the southern Nsz Perce's
trail TO ah.Wallah, and thence on
the military road to Nisqually and Oily
mpia."
October Governor Stevens little
party was in motion, and on the 18th
he reached the Occur d'Alsne mission
The route on the mountain was much
INSTRUCTED by fallen timber, and at
times passed through dense underbrush
Two streams having their sources In
lakes only half mile apart, were found
to flow due east and west. in opposite
directions from the route. 1.-THE as
cont is along the stream to within
about five miles Of the dividing ridge,
when the trail rises about 1000 feet, by
estima alton, 10 that distance, and thence
passing along the ridge of spur for a
considerable distance, falls suddenly at
least 1900 feet. Its course thence to
the mission il generally along the river
called by the Jesuit fathers st. lgna-
titus, but known more generally as the
Coenr d'Alene.
I'VE canped within one mile OF the
top OF the mountain on the nights OF
tho 10Th and 18th OF November In q
rainstOrm, and looked forward to snow
in the morning; but, to our agreeable
surprise, we awoke to the clearest skies
and the most genial breezes we ever
experienced. Not a cloud was to be
seen. The vast solitude OF the Occur
d'Alene mountains covered with forest
trees, the Rocky mountains in the far
east and the K0otenaies mountains to
the north in British territory, formed
coup d '0eil imposing and magnificent.
The slow and lazily rising belts and
lines Of fog indicated tho position Of
the lakes and streams. A year ago a.
this very time the blasts of winter
howled in these solitudes, and the drift
ing and rapidly falling snow complete
ly INSTRUCTED the traveller.
whether this route will come into
competition with that by G ark's Fork
can only be determined by more accur-
ate observation than we were able to
make. IL Is probable that by following
up on either side of the stream itself,
the length Of the tunnel could be re-
duced to six, and perhaps four miles
without involving impractical grades;
it will considerably abridge the dis.
lance; but the difficulties from snow
should be carefully investigated. The
route was good 10 grass even on the
mountain tops, except for some miles
in the valley Of Occur d'Alene. 1t is
,c favorite route of the Spokanes and
the Nez Perces on their way to the
buffalo hunt.
"At the Occur d'A'ene mission I got
no information as to Captain Mcclellan
but from a Cayuse Indian who reached