192 NARRATIVE OF 1853. 
Four miles beyond the only prairie above the forks is found, and would afford some grass 
for passing droves but for the numerous bands of Indian horses constantly crossing here. 
He strongly recommends sowing two or three hundred acres here with grass seed, as the woods 
around were burnt off many years since. 
With the exception of the trails mentioned, the entire valleys and surrounding heights are 
studded with a dense growth of timber, mostly fir and spruce, with some hemlock, and now 
and then a pine, and the ground is covered with fallen trees, from four to six feet in diameter, 
and from one to three hundred feet in length. In many instances he noticed thrifty trees, 
three or four feet through, growing upon others much larger, which had fallen, and which, 
upon inspection, proved perfectly sound. This will give some idea of the amount of labor 
expected throughout this distance. 
The ascent from the valley to the mountains was originally an unbroken slope of thirty-three 
degrees, and probably one of the most difficult in the country. This he reduced to a practical 
grade. Other steep slopes followed, many of which were graded, but the amount of money at 
his command did not allow him to do as much as he wished. 
On the summit the mountains spread out towards the south, forming an extensive flat, filled 
with ponds, interspersed with prairies, and in other places covered with a dense but small 
growth of timber. The road skirts four prairies in the distance of two miles, which afford 
excellent grazing and an abundance of fine spring water. 
Under the most favorable circumstances this part of the route will not be passable for 
wagon trains more than five months in the year. Оп his first reconnoissance (about the 28th of 
May) he found four feet of snow for five miles, and in many places from six to ten feet. On his 
return, after the completion of the work, the last of October, he found from one foot to eighteen 
inches of snow along the summit, thus showing that the interval was within five months for 
that year. 
In crossing, about September 12, in 1853, Lieutenant Hodges encountered a slight fall of 
snow, but it did not remain, for emigrants, crossing several weeks later, found none in the 
pass, and none fell until the third of November, and then only to the depth of four inches. 
Near the dividing ridge is situated Mount Ikes, about 5,100 feet above the sea, from whose 
summit he obtained a magnificent view of the surrounding country, extending beyond the 
sound to the west, and on the other sides limited by the mountains and their spurs. 
To the south Mount Rainier appeared in all its majesty at a distance of fifteen miles, and 
towering far above him; to the east was the valley of the Nachess; to the north, the serrated 
volcanic (?) range near the Yakima Pass, and the beautiful ridge bordering that river on the 
north. _ 
The eastern slope of the mountains was very favorable, and required comparatively little 
work. Descending from the mountains, the road crossed Nachess river, a beautiful stream, 
about twenty feet wide at the ford, having a gentle current and rocky bed, and entered a most 
picturesque valley. High ranges, in some places forming steep, perpendicular cliffs not less 
than 2,000 feet high; in others, graceful slopes covered with a luxuriant growth of bunch 
grass and thrifty timber; rapid mountain streams, forming at their mouths islands covered with 
groves; and the numerous rivulets traversing the prairies that border the river, make the 
scenery particularly striking when compared with the cold and dismal forests of the western 
valleys. 
Vegetation matures much sooner on the east than on the west side, showing that the snows 
must melt much sooner. 
