ITINERARY OF THE ROUTE FROM FORT VANCOUVER TO FORT DALLES. 377 



creases in size, and is not always fordable. A good trail follows the valley. The 

 stream is well supplied with wood, and good grass and water for camping are 

 readily found 32$ 



Leaving the Touchet, with an easy ascent the trail passes again to the plains ; 

 the soil becomes poor and sandy, the grass gives place to the artemisia, and, ap 

 proaching Wallah-Wallah, the country is a sandy, wild- sage desert. In this inter 

 val is neither wood, water, nor sufficient grass 



52 



Total distance from Fort Owen to Fort Wallah- Wallah 340g 



This is the sum of the estimated courses. It is probably no greater, and is perhaps a little less, 

 than the actually travelled distance. The course plotted and compared with the odometer sur 

 vey appears to be about ten miles in excess. Most of the mountain reconnaissance was con 

 ducted during thick, snowy weather, with snow-shoes and heavy packs, and under circumstances 

 that rendered it impossible to obtain an accurate survey. 

 I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



A. W. TINKHAM. 

 Governor I. I. STEVENS, 



Chief N. P Railroad Exploration and Survey, 



Washington, D. C. 



34. ITINERARY OF CAPTAIN MC CLELLAN S ROUTE; PREPARED BY j. F. MINTER. 



OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON TERRITORY, 



February 25, 1854. 



SIR: I have the honor to submit the following itinerary of the route pursued by the party under 

 your command, in an exploration of the Cascade mountains, during the months of July, August, 



September, October, arid November, 1853. 



Miles. 

 July 18, 1853. From Fort Vancouver to camp Wahwaikee ; wagon road through 



fir, with dense underbrush ; road good ; crossed a running creek If 



Camp on a small plain, grass and wood good ; water half a mile distant \ 



2J 

 July 21. To camp Kolsas, road same as on the 18th ; crossed two small prairies 



with good grass ; crossed small stream 4J 



Camped on a large prairie ; grass indifferent ; water for animals quarter of a 

 mile from camp 



July 22. To camp Sim-Sik ; Indian trail passing for one mile through Kolsas 

 prairie, thence through a dense fir forest, with much underbrush and fallen timber; 

 country flat; much labor to clear the trail from here to Chequoss ; no water during 

 the march ; camped in a small prairie near a little brook ; soil poor, grass good ; 

 seven hours and a half from camp to camp 6 



July 23. To camp Mesache. Country rougher than heretofore. Crossed two 

 boggy creeks, and two with fine crossings ; much fallen timber and brush ; timber 

 as before ; camped on a small stream fifteen feet wide ; grass in small openings of 

 the forest ; twelve hours from camp to camp 6 



July 24. To camp Mankas. Country becoming still rougher ; obstructions on 

 the trail very great, but rather less than yesterday ; crossed a fine stream ; bottom 



thickly overgrown ; soil good 3 



48 / 



