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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OP THE REGIONS EXAMINED. 
CASCADE MOUNTAINS, IN OREGON TERRITORY. 
The Cascade Range, in Oregon, consists of a belt, from thirty to ninety miles in width, of 
pine and fir covered ridges, separated from each other by a network of precipitous ravines. A 
line of isolated volcanic peaks, extending in a direction nearly north and south through the 
Territory, rises from this labyrinth, and marks the extreme western border of the elevated 
plateau already described. The chief summits are Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Mount Pitt, 
and Diamond Peak; which, with the four buttes composing the group called the Three Sisters, 
tower high above the rest into the region of eternal snow, the lower limit of which is here 
about 8,000 feet above the sea. The other peaks, although quite prominent when seen from 
the plateau, are hidden by intervening ridges from the Willamette valley. 
Westward from this line of volcanic peaks, an abrupt slope, mostly composed of ridges of very 
compact slate, separated by immense canons, descends to fertile valleys, elevated but slightly 
above the sea level, and extending to the foot hills of the Coast Range. 
Near the water-shed are numerous lakes, some of which discharge their waters towards the 
east, and others towards the west, by canons so enormous that words fail to convey an adequate 
idea of their size. One, the side of which was so precipitous that we could only make the 
descent with the greatest difficulty, was found by actual measurement to be 1,945 feet deep. 
A few small prairies covered with excellent bunch grass, lie hidden among the mountains. 
They are often surrounded by bushes bearing a kind of whortleberry, called “Oo-lal-le” by the 
Indians, who come in large parties in August and September to gather and dry them for winter 
use. Hence, it frequently happens that the explorer, while following a large trail which he 
hopes may lead across the mountains, suddenly finds it terminate in a whortleberry patch. 
An examination of these mountains is very difficult. The ravines, filled with thick under¬ 
brush interlaced with fallen timber, are, many of them, utterly impassable; the ridges are very 
precipitous and rocky ; generally the thick forest of pine, fir, spruce, and yew, quite conceals 
the surrounding country; and the great scarcity of grass for the animals is a source of constant 
anxiety. According to the best information which I could gather from Indians and settlers, the 
whole range is covered with snow during the winter. 
There are six known passes through the Cascade Range, in Oregon Territory. It must be 
borne in mind that they are not simple gateways, but long winding courses through a labyrinth 
of ridges and ravines. They will be described in their order of succession, beginning at the 
most southern. 
1. Pass south of Mount Pitt .—This pass, through which an emigrant wagon road has already 
been constructed, was not examined by our party. Lieutenant Williamson followed the road 
to the point where Renters the mountains, near Camp B, on Klamath river. It strikes Stewart 
creek, in Rogue River valley,' not far from Camp 18 A. The air-line distance between these 
camps is only 32 miles, and the road is said to be very good, for a mountain route. 
2. Pass south of Diamond Peak .—A wagon road has been constructed through this pass, 
also, by which Lieutenant Williamson crossed the range. The approach from the eastward is by 
a branch of Des Chutes river, that rises near the foot of the main ridge. About 20 miles after 
leaving this stream, the road strikes the middle fork of the Willamette river, the course of 
which it follows to the settlements. Where it passes over the main ridge, the road is very 
mountainous in its character, and in the ravine of the middle fork, it crosses the stream many 
times at deep and rocky fords. There is a scarcity of grass upon the route. 
