30 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE REGIONS EXAMINED. 



CASCADE MOUNTAINS, IN OREGON TERRITORY. 



The Cascade Range, in Oregon, consists of a belt, from thirty to ninety miles in width, of 

 pine and fir covered ridges, separated from each other by a network of precipitous ravines. A 

 line of isolated volcanic peaks, extending in a direction nearly north and south through the 

 Territory, rises from this labyrinth, and marks the extreme western border of the elevated 

 plateau already described. The chief summits are Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Mount Pitt, 

 and Diamond Peak; which, with the four buttes composing the group called the Three Sisters, 

 tower high above the rest into the region of eternal snow, the lower limit of which is here 

 about 8,000 feet above the sea. The other peaks, although quite prominent when seen from 

 the plateau, are hidden by intervening ridges from the Willamette valley. 



Westward from this line of volcanic peaks, an abrupt slope, mostly composed of ridges of very 

 compact slate, separated by immense canons, descends to fertile valleys, elevated but slightly 

 above the sea level, and extending to the foot hills of the Coast Eange. 



Near the water-shed are numerous lakes, some of which discharge their waters towards the 

 east, and others towards the west, by canons so enormous that words fail to convey an adequate 

 idea of their size. One, the side of which was so precipitous that we could only make the 

 descent with the greatest difficulty, was found by actual measurement to be 1,945 feet deep. 



A few small prairies covered with excellent bunch grass, lie hidden among the mountains. 

 They are often surrounded by bushes bearing a kind of whortleberry, called "Oo-lal-le" by the 

 Indians, who come in large parties in August and September to gather and dry them for winter 

 use. Hence, it frequently happens that the explorer, while following a large trail which he 

 hopes may lead across the mountains, suddenly finds it terminate in a whortleberry patch. 



An examination of these mountains is very difficult. The ravines, filled with thick under- 

 brush interlaced with fallen timber, are, many of them, utterly impassable; the ridges are very 

 precipitous and rocky ; generally the thick forest of pine, fir, spruce, and yew, quite conceals 

 the surrounding country ; and the great scarcity of grass for the animals is a source of constant 

 anxiety. According to the best information which I could gather from Indians and settlers, the 

 whole range is covered with snow during the winter. 



There are six known passes through the Cascade Eange, in Oregon Territory. It must be 

 borne in mind that they are not simple gateways, but long winding courses through a labyrinth 

 of ridges and ravines. They will be described in their order of succession, beginning at the 

 most southern. 



1. Pass south of Mount Pitt. — This pass, through which an emigrant wagon road has already 

 been constructed, was not examined by our party. Lieutenant Williamson followed the road 

 to the point where it enters the mountains, near Camp B, on Klamath river. It strikes Stewart 

 creek, in Eogue Eiver valley, not far from Camp 78 A. The air-line distance between these 

 camps is only 32 miles, and the road is said to be very good, for a mountain route. 



2. Pass south of Diamond Peak. — A wagon road has been constructed through this pass, 

 also, by which Lieutenant Williamson crossed the range. The approach from the eastward is by 

 a branch of Des Chutes river, that rises near the foot of the main ridge. About 20 miles after 

 leaving this stream, the road strikes the middle fork of the Willamette river, the course of 

 which it follows to the settlements. Where it passes over the main ridge, the road is very 

 mountainous in its character, and in the ravine of the middle fork, it crosses the stream many 

 times at deep and rocky fords. There is a scarcity of grass upon the route. 



