48 EXPLORATIONS FROM A. D. 1843 To A. D. 1852. 
Ham’s Fork, called the ** Muddy," (Frémont calls Ham’s Fork, Muddy Fork;) thence striking 
over to Ham’s Fork, and ascending by a good road to the head of this stream, he next crossed 
the Bear mountains, a connecting ridge between the Utah or Bear River mountains and the 
Wind River chain of the Rocky mountains. This summit Lieutenant Frémont’s barometrical 
observations indicate to be the highest on the road between the Mississippi river and the 
Pacific ocean. Descending into the valley of Bear river, the party followed it northward to 
Beer spring, at its most northerly point, and thence turned south down the river for about 
sixty-five miles. Here turning westward they followed one of its tributaries to its head, 
crossed a high rocky ridge, and descended into the valley of Roseaux or Reed creek, which 
they followed to Bear river. Lieutenant Frémont now ined din a lide of the latter 
stream in an India rubber boat, but failed, as the river separated into numerous sloughs and 
branches, rendering the navigation impossible. On the 6th of September this expedition first 
beheld the waters of the Great Salt Lake. Forming an encampment on Weber’s Fork, Lieu- 
tenant Frémont made a hasty survey of the northern portion of the lake. 
Turning back upon their former trail to the head of Reed creek, they crossed the dividing 
ridge between the waters of Bear river and Snake river, (Lewis’ Fork of the Columbia,) at the 
source of Pannack river, and proceeded to Fort Hall. From this point they travelled down 
the left bank of Snake river over a rugged, difficult road, and crossed the stream at the emigrant 
ford below Fishing Falls. Keeping close to the mountains north of Snake river, and crossing 
its numerous small tributaries, they struck the Riviére Boisée, (sometimes called Reid’s river,) 
and followed down its valley to Fort Boisée, near its mouth. Here they recrossed the Snake 
river, and travelled along its valley to the mouth of Burnt river, at which place Snake river 
turns north through deep and rocky cafions, said to be impassable for man or beast. Following 
up Burnt river to its source, they took a very rocky, dangerous road for wagons, which led 
them near the heads of several tributaries of Snake river, and finally across the Blue mountains 
to the source of the main fork of Umatillah river, a tributary of the Columbia. Descending 
along a mountain spur, they entered the valley of the Walla- Walla river, and followed it to its 
junction with the Columbia, where old Fort Walla-Walla or Fort Nez Percé was situated. 
Lieutenant Frémont now travelled down the valley of the Columbia to the Dalles, whence he 
descended the river with two canoes to Fort Vancouver. 
Returning to the Dalles, he started on his homeward journey, iudi abandoned his carts for 
packs, the only wheel vehicle which he retained being a mountain howitzer. He states, as the 
projet for his return trip, to make an examination of Klamath lake; to go thence to the reputed 
site of the lake called ** Mary/s;" thence to Buenaventura river; thence to the mountains at 
the heads of the Arkansas river; and then down the Arkansas to Bent’s Fort. He proceeded 
up the-valley of Fall river (Des Chutes) until within ۵ short distance of its head, where it 
d int on the we ide. Here he left it, and crossing a low and heavily 
timbered. divide, came into the basin al Klamath lake. Thence the party travelled east, 
visiting Summer lake and Lake Abert. From the northern end of the latter they turned south, 
passing a chain of lakes with little or no dividing ridges. Continuing south, he entered the 
basin of the Mud lakes and Pyramid lake. Leaving Pyramid lake and Salmon Trout river, he 
travelled on, crossing Carson’s and Walker's. rivers, until finally, in about latitude 38° 20’, 
(being disappointed in not finding the Rio San Buenaventura, which for many days he had been 
“expecting to see with every stream,’’) he turned toward the west. After encountering great 
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