ITINERARY OF ROUTE FROM HELL GATE TO CCEUR D’ALENE MISSION. 
365 
30. Itinerary of the route from hell gate over the cceur d’alene mountains to 
THE CCEUR d’alene MISSION, AND THENCE TO THE INTERSECTION OF THE ROUTE GIVEN 
in H 29. 
We left Fort Owen October 2, 1S53, to proceed to a good encampment twenty miles down the 
Bitter Root river, and await the arrival of Governor Stevens. Descended the valley seven miles, 
crossing to west bank of the river at an easy ford. 
October 3.—Crossed three small streams flowing from the mountains into the Bitter Root; the 
valley on the west bank from two to live miles wide, covered with luxuriant grass. The Bitter 
Root mountains rise some 3,000 feet on our left, crowned with huge masses of jagged rock. 
Slopes densely timbered, with larch and pine extending to the river. 
October 4.—Governor Stevens arrived from Fort Owen. River makes a bend to the north 
of west. Encamped ,on an undulating plain between the St. Mary’s and the Bitter Root. The 
plain affords good pasturage. 
October 5 .—Proceeded down the valley ten miles, and crossed the St. Mary’s in two fords. 
Visited an encampment of Flatheads of ten lodges, under their chief, Victor. They cultivate 
wheat, potatoes, and other vegetables, and depend upon the chase for meat. They reside chiefly 
at Fort Owen in comfortable log cabins. 
October 6.—The main train passed to-day, and went into camp two miles below us. Mr. Lan¬ 
der left for the Jocko. Lieutenant Mullan came in at four o’clock, and late in the evening Mr. 
Tinkham arrived, having crossed the divide between the Blackfoot and the Jocko rivers. It is 
extraordinary how easy of passage the mountains are in this latitude. A favorite time for the 
return of the Flathead Indians from the buffalo hunt east of the mountains is between Christmas 
and New Year’s day. The Indians west of the Cceur d’Alene mountains return usually in March. 
October 7.—Moved camp at eight o’clock, following down the St. Mary’s through an open 
valley five miles broad, abounding in good grass. The banks of the stream are belted in by 
timber, yet quite green and scarcely touched by frost. 
Making ten miles, the river bends to the south of west, the valley becoming narrow. We 
crossed a small tributary from the north, and passed over a heavily-timbered country, covered 
with large masses of volcanic rock. We made thirty-five miles, the greater portion of which led 
through a fine prairie. 
October 8.—Continued down the river through a narrow valley studded with a heavy growth 
of pine and larch. The mountains are high, and extend their spurs to the river’s banks. At one 
o’clock met a band of Nez Perces and Cceur d’Alene Indians going to join the Flatheads in 
their fall hunt east of the mountains. Had a talk with them in regard to a proposed council at 
Fort Benton with the Blackfeet. They were delighted with the prospect of establishing a per¬ 
manent peace with these Indians, with whom they have been so long at war. After a halt of 
two and a half hours, proceeded fifteen miles through an open pine forest, and encamped on the 
north bank of the river. The road has been better this afternoon—not so hilly, and more open. 
At encampment found Pend d’Oreille Indians ; gave them coffee. In return, the women gave us 
cooked camas root. It is of a sweet, agreeable flavor. Distance thirty-two miles. 
October 9.—One mile from camp we crossed the St. Mary’s, sixty yards in width, and from 
two to three feet deep. It is clear and rapid. Crossing spurs of the Bitter Root range at noon, 
we came upon a clear mountain stream six yards wide. The mountains are densely timbered 
with pine and larch, averaging two and a half feet through. On the banks of the stream the 
cotton-wood, willow and button-wood prevail. The line can follow the valley of the river 
without much difficulty. The river winds much, however, and some sharp deflections may be 
required. There is an abundance of good building material. The supply of timber, including 
much fir and spruce, is inexhaustible; and there is a large quantity of stone, well adapted to the 
construction of sustaining walls. 
