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



Cross the divide between Knhchess and the Yahinse, and re-enter the valley of 

 Yahinse. The trail steep in places, and very much obstructed by fallen timber 

 and brush. Cross the Yahinse ........................................... S 



Follow the valley; pass by the lower end of Lake Kitchelus, ascend gradually 

 for a few miles, and then the trail passes over the steepest mountain we encoun 

 tered, follows its summit, and descends to the little plain called Aiyutas. Grass 

 indifferent at camp; none on the trail from camp to camp; water from a small 

 spring .................................................. . ............. 7f 



- 19 



September 8. Returned to camp of 6th ..................................... 19 



September 9. To camp Kahchess; trail as on the 6th to the first crossing of the 

 river. Follow valley of Kahchess ; pass through pine woods with dense under 

 brush ; cross the Kahchess twice by steep ascents and descents. Encamp in a 

 small, boggy prairie, near Lake Kahchess. Grass not very good ................. 5^ 



September 10. To camp Kleallum ; turned back on same trail as far as first 

 crossing of Kahchess .................................................... 2 



Follow the heavily timbered but level valley; brush thick .................. 2J 



Thence over a mountain ridge heavily timbered, crossing three spring branches 

 to valley of Samahma. Descent into this valley very long and steep ............ 4 



Follow the valley to foot of Kleallum : open pine woods and bunch-grass; cross 

 Samahma where it issues from the lake .................................... If 



Hi 



September 11. To camp Tsai-ih. Descend the high and undulating valley of 

 the Samahma to its mouth, crossing the stream twice ; reach our trail of the 5th. . 5 

 Follow our old trail to camp ___ ........................................ 5 



September 12. To Depot camp at Ketetas; return by our trail of the 4th ......... 17 



September 19. To camp Nahnum. Move to the northern edge of Ketetas val 

 ley; trail good, sometimes stony; grass good in places; crossed the Nahnum twice. 

 Encamped where it issues from the hills ; grass not very good .................... 8J 



September 20. To camp Skilkantin. Pass over divide between Yakima and 

 Columbia, crossing the Nahnum at camp; the ascent generally gradual, but very 

 long; cross two spring branches; trail stony in places; summit of divide flat ; tim 

 ber small and dense near the summit, open and large below ; descent towards the 

 Columbia very steep ; during the latter part of the march good bunch-grass on the 

 mountain side, but no timber. Camp in a deep and narrow valley ; good water 

 and bunch-grass ; wood scarce .............................................. 



September 21. To camp on Pisquouse. Crossed Skilkantin creek half a mile 

 below camp ; follow the rapidly-descending valley, and cross a steep spur, and 

 descend into valley of Columbia ; followed valley of Columbia ................. 1 



Crossed one creek four miles below Pisquouse ; trail good ; crossed Pisquouse 

 half a mile above its mouth. Camped on it just above crossing; grass scanty. ___ 7 



September 23. Follow Columbia valley; trail keeps to a level terrace 3 



Crosses a difficult and rocky spur of hornblende rock and granite. Beyond it a 

 small stream; then a level terrace, broken occasionally by less difficult spurs than 

 the last; crosses a second spur much like the first, and reach the En-ti-at-kwu. . . 8 

 Follow a high, sandy terrace, and encamp in a thin grove of pitch-pines. Ground 



stony ; grass abundant a short distance from camp 1 



12* 



