NARRATIVE OF 1853. 185 
and marl, in some places perpendicular, but generally low and sloping. Upon its headwaters 
is the pass called Marias, explored by Mr. Tinkham, and a broad lodge trail leading up the 
valley showed that it was considerably used. 
Crossing a range of high hills, Mr. Doty reached the headwaters of Milk river, where the 
country is quite flat and full of springs and brooks. A heavy forest of pine extends several 
miles from the base of the mountains, among which, one called Chief or King mountain, is a 
bare rocky peak, of a square form, standing five or six miles from the main chain, and connected 
with it by a high wooded ridge. 
Seventeen miles further he came to a broad valley, its sides wooded with pine and poplar, 
(aspen?) and in the bottoms, five hundred feet below, saw the blue waters of Chief Mountain 
lake. Descending into the valley, in four miles he reached the lake, and encamped on a 
beautiful prairie bordering it. 
This lake is seven miles long, one broad, and very clear and deep, with low gravelly shores. 
Its valley is six miles in breadth, a rolling prairie, interspersed with groves of cotton-wood, 
poplar, birch, and willow, in the lower grounds. The soil is a reddish loam, and very fertile, 
as is indicated by the luxuriant vegetation. Large pine is abundant, and there are inex- 
haustible quarries of good limestone. 
Another lake, called Bow lake, is connected with it, and extends into the mountains nine 
miles, but has no valley susceptible of cultivation, as the mountains come close down to the 
water. It was at first supposed that there must be a good pass in this vicinity, but a close 
examination satisfied Mr. Doty that such was not the case. 
Numerous little streams empty into this river, and these lakes are filled with beaver dams, 
and beaver, elk, moose, and deer, were abundant, and trout of a large size were taken in the 
lakes. i 
The outlet of Chief Mountain lake, called by the Blackfeet Mo-ka-un, is a swift, deep stream, 
eighty feet wide, and having a course for some miles due north. It is the most southerly of 
the waters of the Saskatchawan, and after receiving several branches forms the principal south 
branch of that river. Its valley is three miles in width, strong and sterile, high hills bounding 
it on each side, and the country generally is broken. Twenty-five miles down the stream the 
country improves, but there is very little timber on the streams, and this ends entirely on its 
emergence from the mountains. 
The exploration ended here, having reached latitude 49° 30, The boundary line is about 
ten miles north of Chief Mountain lake, and therefore includes entirely the sources of Marias 
and Milk rivers. | 
From the end of the route, looking towards the north and east, Mr. Doty saw a vast plain, 
or, more properly speaking, a prairie; for in richness of soil, luxuriant vegetation, and bright- 
colored flowers, it greatly resembles the prairies of the western States. These appeared, 
however, to be a stretch of fifty miles, destitute of wood. 
Turning back on the 8th of June, Mr. Doty retraced his route as far as the Marias, already 
referred to as issuing through a gap 15 miles wide, and along which was an old Indian trail, 
and followed it up on the trail for thirty miles to the southwest, finding no obstruction, except 
from trees; and at that distance, ascending a lofty hill, saw no mountains in the direction of the 
stream. On each side the mountains were lofty and rugged, showing, generally, perpendicular 
245 
