338 
FROM FORT HALL TO HEAD OF HELL GATE RIVER. 
varying in depth from six inches to two feet. This range is reported, as we were told by the 
guide, as being a range where snow falls early, and at times exceedingly deep. He says that 
last year, in the month of March, he crossed it, and found the snow three feet deep; many par¬ 
ties, during the same winter, attempted to cross it, and were beaten back by the great depth of 
snow met with, and the want of water and grass for animals. We crossed to-day several mount¬ 
ain streams, all of which were frozen over; which, when open, contributed their supply of water 
to the southeast branch of the Jefferson fork of the Missouri. Taking their rise in the mountains, 
they flow through beautiful patches of prairie, many of which we to-day crossed, where we found 
the grass exceedingly rich and luxuriant, and the snow only two inches deep, though the mount¬ 
ains on each side of us were still covered with snow, and perfectly destitute of timber, save a 
range towards the north, which, as seen from a distance, might be termed the “Blue Ridge,” 
being covered with the pine, and presented to-day an exceedingly beautiful blue appearance. 
The only game seen to-day were two deer, which were frightened up along the road, but quickly 
took to the mountains, giving us no opportunity for an approach. It continued cold throughout 
the day, the thermometer at noon being 22° in the sun. Travelling a distance of seventeen 
miles, we encamped on a small mountain stream, where we found excellent grass for our ani¬ 
mals ; they were thus amply repaid for their scanty fare of the last few days. Our fuel consisted 
of small willow bushes. We had intended to cross to-day a divide separating two of the tribu¬ 
taries of the southeast branch of the Jefferson fork of the Missouri from each other; but with the 
cold, and necessary stoppages along the road, we were unable to travel so far, but camped west 
of the divide. The greater portion of our road to-day lay through sage plains, where we found 
the sage in some places six and eight feet high, with trunks from eight to twelve inches in diam¬ 
eter. We had, nevertheless, a very excellent road the whole distance, good for either pack- 
animals or wagons; the chief characteristic, however, being the great scarcity of timber. Grass 
we found very excellent—the best we have met with since leaving the Bitter Root valley, and 
which our animals duly appreciated. Game still continues to be very scarce. The night was 
cold, with a strong wind from the south, and disagreeable in camp, drifting much snow from 
the mountains, at the base of which we were encamped. The thermometer at sunrise was 13° ; 
at 9 p. m. 12°. 
December 27, 1853.—Commences clear and mild, the thermometer at sunrise being at 8° above 
zero. The wind, which blew strong from the south during the night, had lulled this morning, and 
with a clear, bright sky caused everything to look gay and cheerful. The mountains on each 
side of us shone silvery bright under the warm rays of the sun. We resumed our march at 8 a. 
m., ascending several low prairie ridges for a distance of five miles, when we arrived at the 
foot of the divide referred to yesterday. We found these ridges to be well covered with grass ; 
snow about two inches deep; though the mountains on each side are all snow-clad from base to 
summit. The mountains to our left to-day we found to be composed principally of limestone, 
while on the prairie ridge are to be seen large masses and broken fragments of honey-combed 
black, volcanic rock. The valleys between these low ridges were covered with the artemisia 
or wild sage, growing from eighteen inches to three feet high. Numerous mountain rivulets 
were crossed running through these valleys, which were lined on each side by willow bushes, 
growing in some places twelve feet high. Arriving at the foot of the divide, we ascended it by 
a very gradual acclivity, keeping along the slope diagonally till reaching its summit, from which 
we had a beautiful and extended view of the mountains on all sides. The sun at this time 
shone clear and bright, giving us a wide and extended view far in the distance. On every side 
lay snow-clad mountains—those to the east being timbered, while those in evexy other direction 
were perfectly destitute of everything save a coating of snow. Below us, and to the east, were 
seen small streams, taking their rise in the mountains, and running through beautiful prairie 
valleys perfectly free from snow. We could see from this point of view the gap of the mount¬ 
ains through which flows the Missouri—the great landmark of the mountains. To the south of 
