380 
ITINERARY OF THE ROUTE FROM FORT VANCOUVER TO FORT DALLES. 
August 13.—To second camp on Tahk prairie; trail skirts the eastern edge of 
the prairie, which is perfectly level, covered with good grass, and has good soil; 
the timber skirting it is of yellow pine, free from underbrush; lake near north end 
of prairie; camped on a stream rising from this lake. 
August 14.—Through open woods to crossing of last creek... 
Over a rolling country, covered with open pine woods, to the Wa-wak-che river, 
which runs in a very deep and narrow valley ; descent precipitous; no grass in the 
valley; lava is occasionally met with in the distance. 4J 
Make a long and gradual ascent from the valley; pass over a broken country, 
which is covered with open woods of yellow pine and oak, to a point where there 
are water and grass, a short distance to left of trail. 4f 
To camp in a narrow valley, with a small creek and good grass. 3 
August 15.—Over a country like that of yesterday’s march, to two springs with 
good grass. lj 
To a small spring branch, with good grass... 5£ 
To camp, in the woods, with a small rivulet and tolerable grass. 2J 
August 16.—To camp Simkwe; through country like that of yesterday, only 
more broken. 5 
Over high rolling ridges, bare of timber, except here and there a scrub-oak; the 
ground covered with lava, in fragments, to the Sahpenis; the valley of this stream 
is deep and narrow where we reached it; descent gradual. 3 
Over a slightly undulating and open plain to the Simkwe creek. 1 
Followed the course of the creek and camped upon it, with good grass. 5 
August 17.—To camp Atahnam, over the level bottom of Simkwe valley. 4f 
Cross a high, bare, stony ridge, and camp on the Atahnam, with good water and 
indifferent grass; no water on the trail between the camps. 2f 
August 20.—To camp Wenass; over a high rolling country, bare of trees, and 
covered with thin bunch-grass, to Kwai-wy-chess creek. 8 
Over similar country, more rocky in places, to Nahchess river; descent into its 
valley steep. 3f 
Cross the wide and level valley of the Nahchess, pass the rolling dividing ridge, 
and camp on the Wenass, with good grass and water—wood not plenty. 4£ 
Good grazing in the valley for a large number of animals. 
August 23.—To camp near Nahchess river; followed valley of Wenass; grass 
good; yellow pine begins... 8 
Leave valley of Wenass, and ascend dividing ridge ; ascent steep at two points; 
divide alternately covered with open pine woods and bare lava. 6 
Descend from summit through open woods; trail quite steep in places. En¬ 
camped in a small ravine, with good water and grass.. .. 3 
August 24.—Descended into valley of Nahchess. Trail steep in places. f 
Followed valley of Nahchess; trail crosses the river eight times; sometimes 
passes in the water for short distances; crossings bad. Where the stream flows 
through the narrowest canons, the trail crosses the mountain spurs, and is very 
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