METEOROLOGY OF THE CASCADES. 389 
Rose to a high, narrow plateau, with bunch-grass; descended into the narrow 
and deep ravine of the Mahah, (John Day’s river,) and crossed; bad descent into 
the river. 3f 
Crossed very high sand-hills, and re-entered Columbia bottom, which is of the 
usual sandy nature. Camped in a thicket of willows. Grass on the hill-sides ; 
willows for fuel. If 
- 15 
November 14.—Trail passes over sandy bottom; then crosses a very bad, rocky 
point, some three-quarters of a mile in length. The trail is here narrow and some¬ 
what dangerous in places. l£ 
Descended into river-bottom, which we kept as far as the Des Chutes, passing 
over two rocky points not quite so bad as the first. Struck the emigrant road 
about three miles before reaching the Des Chutes. Crossed the Des Chutes, fer¬ 
rying the baggage ; crossing bad. 
Ascended from the Des Chutes valley by a long and steep ascent; followed the 
undulating plateau ; then by a still steeper ascent gained a very high level; followed 
this upper plateau, and descended, by a very long and gradual slope, into the 
valley of Olney’s creek. No timber whatever on these plateaux, but good bunch- 
grass. Camped on the creek; good water and grass, but no wood. Used the 
“ bois de vache” for fuel..,... 3f 
November 15.—Followed down the valley and crossed the creek. £ 
Left the creek and followed a smooth, ascending ravine; crossed a summit and 
reached the valley of another branch of Olney’s creek; descended valley of the 
main creek to the Columbia... 5f 
Followed Columbia valley to Fort Dalles; trail excellent. Camped near a 
small spring, with good bunch-grass on the hills. 3f 
-- 9 £ 
Total distance travelled northward and back to Fort Dalles 
1,051J 
I will here add, that the above itinerary only embraces the tract of country passed over by the 
main party and detached parties under your immediate command. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
J. F. MIN TER, 
Assistant Engineer. 
Capt. G. B. McClellan, 
Commanding Expedition , fyc. 
I. 
GENERAL CLIMATOLOGY. 
35. Report op lieutenant s. mowky, u. s. a., to captain george b. mc’clellan, corps of 
ENGINEERS, OF THE METEOROLOGY OF THE CASCADES. 
Olympia, Washington Territory, 
j February 10, 1854. 
Sir: In compliance with your instructions, I have the honor to submit the following report of 
the meteorological observations, taken under my directions, for the western division of the North 
