376 
ITINERARY OP THE ROUTE FROM FORT OWEN TO WALLAII-WALLAH. 
was very Jeep there when we crossed it. A few miles from this open hill-top is a 
small stream, which I supposed would in summer afford a good camping ground. 
There was apparently here sufficient grass. 
December 17.—The mountains, with their woods and snow, end with this day, 
and we emerge upon the open, high plateau of the Nez Perces country, through 
which flow the different tributaries of the Clearwater river. A suitable camping 
ground is found just as the trail issues from the woods, where, on the borders of a 
small stream, are water, wood, and grass. 
Passing over a farther interval of high open country, the trail descends to the 
bottom-land of a large tributary of Clearwater river, a stream some one hundred 
and twenty feet wide and two feet deep... 
December 24.—On this stream are the Nez Perces. But few lodges were near 
the mountains at this time. A broad trail runs down the valley, but after following 
it for some six miles we left the river-bottom, and by a steep road up the high hills 
enclosing the river, gained the high plateau above it. A high open plateau country, 
generally with a good soil and well grassed, extends thence to Mr. William Craig’s, 
whose house is on the Lapwai, about fifteen miles from the river; a good camping 
ground is to be found on the bottom-land of a small stream, furnishing wood, water, 
and grass. The Lapwai river also affords good camping ground. 
December 27.—From Mr. Craig’s to Snake river is about fifteen miles. The trail 
leaves the Lapwai at the end of four miles, and for most of the distance, to Snake 
river, passes over high ground. The country is such between the Lapwai and 
Wallah-Wallah, that, excepting the crossing of Snake river, it is probably practi¬ 
cable to use wagons in transportation, excepting that crossing, the only difficulty 
being in ascending and descending the steep slopes of the deep valleys in which 
all the tributaries of Snake river flow. Snake river was about 450 feet wide when 
we crossed it, deep, and with a strong current, and is evidently at times much 
wider and deeper than this. It is wholly destitute of wood. Indians are gene¬ 
rally to be found near by, who, for a small payment, ferry over the passengers and 
goods, and, if necessary, assist in getting the horses across. The trail follows 
down the bottom of Snake river for but about seven miles, and then passes to the 
valley of a small tributary brook. Here is a fair camping ground. The stream is 
tolerably well fringed with wood, and the grass is sufficient.-. 
December 28.—Trail passes up the intervale of a small stream, lined with cotton¬ 
wood and willows._. 
By a steep ascent gained the high plains, on which it continues to a small 
stream, name not known. 
The valley of this stream affords a good road; the brook is lined with cotton¬ 
wood and willows, and all the essentials of camping are found here. 
Passing over a high hill separating the two streams, we gained the valley of the 
Tchannon river, where was a considerable encampment of Nez Perces. This 
stream is well supplied with cotton-wood. The grazing, owing to the large num¬ 
ber of Indian horses, was very poor. 
December 29.—Trail crosses the Tchannon, and ascends by a steep hill to the 
high plains. 
High, smooth, grand plains continue to the Touchet river. 
December 30.—The Touchet, where we strike it, is from 30 to 60 feet wide, and 
about 3 feet deep, pouring out its waters with remarkable rapidity. It soon in- 
