3EOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR. 259 
these rivers the largest and one of the most important is the Skagit. The Skagit has its rise 
in British territory, flows east of Mount Baker in a generally south course, and reaches the 
waters of the sound in about latitude 48° 20’, longitude 122° 25’, about fifty miles south of the 
49th parallel. This river is navigable nearly up to the 49th parallel, with the exception of a 
small distance near its mouth, obstructed by rafts, and on its banks is an arable and productive 
country. The mouth of the Skagit and the vicinity adjacent is also very productive, and the 
land will not be difficult to clear, for the growth is small, being a sort of underbrush. The 
Snohomish river has several tributaries—the Stoluquamish, the Snoqualmoo, and other streams. 
Here is also а most excellent country, and an unusual proportion of prairie land. The Snoqualmoo 
Falls, fifty miles from the sound, are a great curiosity. The fall is about two hundred feec, and 
there is quite a body of water. Just above the falls is a celebrated prairie, known as Ranger's 
prairie, where there was a block-house for volunteers in the Indian war of 1855 and 1856. Тһе 
Stoluquamish river also flows through prairies well adapted to cultivation, and the timber 
land on its banks, as elsewhere through the territory, is good. The Dwhamish river has 
several tributaries—Black river, which flows from the Dwhamish lake, east of Seattle, Cedar 
creek, flowing into Black river from the east, Green river, and White river. White river 
has it source in one of the passes of the Cascades, (the Nachess Pass,) and Cedar creek in 
another pass of the Cascades, called the Snoqualmoo Pass ; and the Snoqualmoo itself also has 
its rise in this pass. "These are the two principal passes of the Cascade mountains, the Nachess 
and the Snoqualmoo. Тһе Nachess is, in round numbers, 5,000 feet above the sea, and the 
Snoqualmoo 3,500 feet. A peculiarity of the Snoqualmoo Pass is that the approach from the 
east, up the valley of the main Yakima, leads by several lakes, and finally by Lake Kitchelus, 
where there are two trails for crossing the pass: one trail, practicable for horses, passes over 
the divide south of Lake Kitchelus, and falls upon the waters of Cedar creek ; the other trail 
passes north of Lake Kitchelus, passes over a lower divide, and falls upon the upper waters of 
the Snoqualmoo river. This second trail is somewhat encumbered by fallen timber, and is 
therefore difficult for animals; yet in 1856 it was passed over by the volunteers with animals, 
and a scout made by them into the Yakima valley from Ranger's prairie. This is unquestion- 
ably the best pass of the Cascades north of the Columbia river, but it is probable that there 
are other practicable passes to the north ; and practicable passes are known to exist south of 
the Nachess pass. The Nachess pass is approached from the east by the valley of — Nachess 
river, and, as before observed, connects with White river. While this pass is entirely prac- 
ticable for pack animals during the summer months, and has enabled ee to come into 
the Territory with their teams, it is, nevertheless, not so favorable as the Snoqualmoo Pass. 
The approach up the Yakima is much more easy and gentle than up the Nachess, and, what- 
ever be the difficulties from the Snoqualmoo, from the western slope to the sound, they are a good 
deal more from the Nachess to the sound. Still the country is difficult from both passes, being 
heavily wooded, and there being many streams, and much work is required in bridging streams 
and in cutting out timber t make easy roads. А и 
The labors of the boundary survey will develop a very interesting section of country, and 
may make known passes near the parallel ; but it is probable that the Snoqualmoo Pass will be 
found to be at least fifteen hundred feet lower than any other pass, either north or south. The 
line of the 49th parallel crosses the Cascades at an elevation of at least five thousand feet. It 
then descends into the valley of the Skagit river; and it will be a question as to depen the 
point referred to is not on a spur, and whether the main range beyond the Skagit will not be 
