NARRATIVE OF 1853. 139 
August 8, ice formed to the thickness of about an eighth of an inch. Though, as usual in 
mountainous countries, the nights were cool, the heat, even on this elevated region, became 
oppressive by day. On August 11 he commenced the descent of the eastern slopes, and at 
once found the forests more open and traversable, consisting of yellow pine, with little under- 
growth, and generally a grassy sward beneath. After five days’ journey through this he 
entered the open central plains, then very dry and barren in appearance, the tops of the 
ridges near the mountains being rocky and almost destitute of vegetation. The small valleys 
on the branches of the Yakima showed, however, by the height of the grass, although as brown 
and dead as in winter, that they were capable of cultivation earlier in the year. Near the 
Atahuane Mission the priests and Indians raise very fine potatoes, besides melons and 
squashes. 
On the Wenass he made a depot camp for two weeks, while parties were made up to explore 
the surrounding country. Deeming it necessary to have three months’ provisions before 
starting to explore the unknown country northward, Lieutenant Hodges was sent across the 
Nachess Pass to Fort Steilacoom on August 22, with fifty pack-horses, six soldiers, seventeen 
packers, Mr. Lewes, and two men; the three latter to be left there. Many of the pack-horses 
having already given out, he was directed to exchange as many as possible for mules, and also 
to make a reconnoissance of the route. 
On the 29th Captain McClellan himself, Mr. Minter, and six men started to make a survey 
of the Nachess Pass; the 24th, Lieutenant Duncan went with three men to explore the upper 
part of the Yakima, and on the 25th Mr. Gibbs, with two men, went to examine it down to 
its mouth. ; 
The Indians hitherto met with had been peaceably disposed, although they had received 
false reports of the character of his party, and sent delegates to meet him on several occasions 
to inquire his objects. Large numbers of the mountain tribe of Klikitats were met with 
on the highest part of the route, engaged in their summer business of gathering berries. On 
descending to the plains many Yakimas were seen, whose chief, Kamiakan, held a council with 
Captain McClellan, and expressed the most friendly feelings, besides showing proofs of the 
sincerity of his professions by giving assistance. The favorable influence of the Catholic 
priests was here of great benefit to his party, and probably prevented trouble. 
Captain McClellan returned from his examination of the Nachess Pass on the 29th of August, 
and describes the route as follows: 
Going up the Nachess river, which is a large branch of the Yakima, at the distance of 
twelve miles from its junction with the Yakima, the character of its valley undergoes an entire 
change. The hills by this time become mountains, close in upon the streams, so that the 
valley from here to the head is reduced to a mere сайоп, occasionally widening out for short 
distances. The stream winds with very sharp curves; the cafions are often, for a mile or two 
in length, occupied to their whole width by the stream. The walls of these cafions frequently 
rise vertically to the height of 400 feet, the mountains coming boldly down to their edges, the 
wall being of solid rock, generally trap or a compact igneous rock. The Indian trail иу 
bad one, avoiding the valley and keeping to the mountain sides, where the ground ^ very 
Strong, the ascent and descent long and steep, so much as that it would not be possible to 
Construct a wagon road along the mountain sides at any reasonable expense. жа 
The road would, therefore, be forced into the valley, and necessarily be located at times in 
the water, besides requiring an almost endless number of crossings. 
