388 
ITINERARY OF THE ROUTE FROM FORT VANCOUVER TO FORT DALLES. 
Cross obliquely the valley of the Wallah-Wallah, crossing three small creeks; 
camp near Whitman’s Old Mission; grass good. 1 
-- 19£ 
November 7.—Follow valley of Wallah-Wallah on right bank, crossing the branch 
on which we encamped a few hundred yards after starting. Trail good, and gene¬ 
rally level to crossing of Too-she. 9f 
Trail now passes over sand-hills; often leaves the valley for a time, and is gene¬ 
rally heavy; little or no grass in the valley; cross the Wallah-Wallah twice; 
camped two miles from Fort Wallah-Wallah; grass very poor; wood scarce.... Sf 
- 18£ 
November 8.—Followed valley of Wallah-Wallah to the fort; trail in deep sand; 
no grass or timber; cross the stream twice. 2 
On leaving the fort crossed the Wallah-Wallah; passed over a high and rocky 
spur; followed a canon, and by a steep, rocky ascent, gained the valley of the 
Columbia. Followed a level sandy terrace, with but a few occasional bushes. 
Camped on the river bank, with but little wood and grass; plenty of sage. 10 
- 12 
November 9.—Followed the sandy river-bottom. Trail sometimes passes over 
at the base of rocky spurs, which run out to the river. 6 
Leave the river-bottom and ascend a high, sandy and barren plateau. Travel 
over this behind the ridge bordering the river. 8 
Descend into the river-bottom, which is here very sand}q and destitute of grass. 
Cross the Umatilla at its mouth; crossing good. 1£ 
Continue on the river-bottom and camp. The animals here managed to pick up 
a few blades of grass. No timber; a single piece of drift-wood had to serve for fuel 
for the whole party. £ 
November 10.—Trail follows the river-bottom, and generally keeping close to the 
bank; on one occasion, leaving it for about six miles to cut off abend. There is no 
grass in this day’s march. The whole country is a desert of loose sand, with a 
few sage bushes. A high wind, blowing in our faces, caused great suffering to the 
command from the clouds of sand. Camped near river bank, in a cluster of low 
bushes. Little or no fuel of any kind. Sage and euckle burrs were the principal 
food of the animals. 14f 
November 11.—Country like that of yesterday, and sand equally disagreeable. 
Crossed Willow creek (Flokespan). 11 
Ascended from its valley by a steep slope; passed over a high plateau, and soon 
descended again into the river-bottom, which was like that of yesterday. Camp 
in the sand-hills; a little very poor grass on a low flat; a few small whortleberries. 4 
- 15 
November 12.—Travelled among sand-hills. 6 
Passed along the base of high basaltic cliffs; trail sometimes rocky, at others 
sandy; then ascended a high, narrow plateau, on which is bunch-grass. Descended 
into a small ravine, and camped on the river bank. Grass on the hills. A little 
drift-wood supplied us with fuel. 3f 
- 9f 
November 13.—Crossed a steep, rocky point, and then followed among the sand¬ 
hills, occasionally passing over or at the base of basaltic spurs and cliffs. 8 
Pass a very bad, rocky spur, and then over the stony beach... 1 
Among sand-hills again.. 1 
