NARRATIVE OF 1853. 191 
some future period. The soil throughout is generally gravelly, except along the borders of 
the creeks, where it is black loam, the best proof of the richness of which is that every acre is 
settled upon. 
From the plains it passes through thick timber for six miles to a high ridge bordering the val- 
ley of Puyallup river, which forms the limit of the gravelly district. This valley is from two to 
four miles wide, lying, like those of the Nisqually and Whitewater, between high perpendicu- 
lar bluffs, and covered with a heavy growth of timber, consisting of arbor-vite and spruce, and 
with thick underbrush, chiefly willow and vine maple. 
The soil is rich but somewhat sandy; above the crossing the stream forks, and is made up of 
many tributaries, along the banks of which large prairies are found, capable of a great yield 
to the agriculturist with little labor. 
The Puyallup, fordable except at the highest stage of water, is generally about one hundred 
feet wide, and two and a half feet deep at the ford. 
Leaving this bottom, the road passes alternately through small prairies and timber to White- 
water or S'kamish river. This stream is a perfect torrent, fordable only three months in the 
year, and even then the force of the current and exceedingly rocky bed renders the transit 
with the pack animals and wagons both difficult and dangerous, particularly for emigrant stock 
that have crossed the plains and Rocky mountains. | 
Опе of the most striking peculiarities of this stream is the milky color of the water, due 
probably to some earthy substance found along the northeastern side of Mount Rainier. 
Beyond this crossing lies a succession of fine prairies for seven miles, after which there is no 
grazing to near the summit of the mountains. 
The soil bordering the river, including the prairies, is wet, though elevated, consisting of 
a mixture of clay and vegetable mould, which retains the moisture of the winter rains until 
near midsummer. With this exception, few sections offer greater inducements to the settler, 
and none surpass it in fertility. 
From the last prairie the road passes over a high hill, very appropriately called Mud 
mountain, the soil being similar to that of the prairies. A thorough examination of this 
mountain was made, but high perpendicular bluffs running to the river, and a complete 
network of fallen timber, left no choice but to follow the location of the previous year. The 
greater part of this tract was made passable by a series of heavy cedar bridges. Descending 
again to the river, the road continues up the valley, making six crossings, which cannot be 
avoided except by heavy side cutting, and in many cases blasting; but in the event of another 
appropriation he strongly recommends that they be avoided. 
Leaving Whitewater the road enters Green River valley, and, with the exception of a 
short distance where there are сайопв, continues through it to the mountain. This deviation 
involves two hills, the highest fifteen hundred feet. Here, as well as along Whitewater, 
he says he should have made more improvements but for the important obstacles still to be 
encountered. The appearance of this valley is like that of Whitewater, but in approaching 
the mountains the ranges rose higher and gradually closed in, forming near its head a continuous 
cafion, and necessarily involving seventeen crossings. The river has an average width of forty 
feet, with a gentle current, and the bottom generally rocky. It can be forded whenever the 
road is passable. 
Near the junction of Whitewater and Green rivers there is a remarkable peak called La 
Теге, from a large rock оп its slope resembling the head and neck of a man. This is an 
important point, as it forms the gate of the mountains on the west. 
