372 
ITINERARY OF THE ROUTE FROM FORT OWEN TO FORT BENTON. 
October 11.—Trail follows the winding of the river, keeping on the western 
bank. The valley retains its general wide and open character. The wood is 
mostly confined to the neighboring hills. Road good. Camp on the river bank, 
with an abundance of drift-wood, pure water, and good grass. 18J 
October 12.—At the end of two miles the river... 2 
Through tolerably smooth grass-land the trail crosses a small summit and touches 
on the south end of Flathead lake. 10 
Follow round the western border of lake, crossing over steep hills. Ground 
mainly unwooded, but the wooded is approaching near to the trail. Camp on 
the edge of the lake, with good water, wood and grass. 7f 
October 13.—Wooded and rocky hills crowd upon the western border of the 
lake. The trail winds round these hills through woods of pine, hemlock, fir, 
spruce, poplar, and is generally narrow, and occasionally steep and rough. Camp 
in a small meadow on the opening lake, where the grass is good; water and wood 
abundant, and good as usual. 12 
October 14.—Sometimes trailing through the woods, and then taking to the 
gravelly beach of the lake, we reach its north bend, and emerge upon an open 
prairie bottom of good soil. Through this prairie bottom flows Flathead river and 
some of its tributaries. 5|- 
The trail touches the river above the lake. Camp on a brook flowing into 
Flathead river, with an abundance of wood, good water, and grass. 4J 
- 9f 
October 15.—Trail on the right bank of the river, but not in sight of it. High, 
nearly level ground, partly prairie, partly wood land, extends to where Flathead 
river issues from the mountain ridge on its eastern side. Good road to this point.. 18 
Winding on the base of the mountain, the trail is rocky and very rough, but after 
a short distance the mountains again recede from the river. l£ 
The same nearly level upland is renewed. Henceforward, to the prairie east of 
the Rocky mountains, the trail is absent; always woods. Trail to camp much 
obstructed by fallen timber. Ford Flathead river, three hundred feet wide, two 
and a half feet deep; pebbly bottom; banks sixty feet high. l£ 
Camp in the woods, without grass. 2 
- 23 
October 16.—Journeyed only to get grass; woods and fallen timber obstructed 
the trail. Encamped on a small lake, with good grass, wood and water. 3J 
October 17.—Cross Flathead river above its forks, two hundred and fifty feet 
wide, two and a half feet deep; pebbly bottom; steep banks, sixty feet high. Mount¬ 
ains now close in upon the river and trail, and the valley continues narrow to its 
source. 54- 
Trail winds up and down the thickly-wooded slopes of the mountain, and is 
generally very steep and toilsome. The river is occasionally broken with rapids, 
and then again is still and deep, frequently twelve feet deep. Camp on the hill¬ 
side near the river. Grass very scarce. 6§ 
- 12 
October IS.—Trail is easier during the day. Woods of pine, spruce, fir, larch, 
white birch, and poplar, fill the valley/ Occasional small grass spots, nearly 
stripped at this late season, are met with, but no good camping grounds were found. 
Camp on one of the small grass spots. 11 £ 
