68 
NARRATIVE AND ITINERARY—KL AM AT IT RIVER—KLAMATH MARSH. 
August 19.—This morning the trail, for three or four miles, wound along the rocky side of the 
ridge which bordered the lake, and was, in consequence, very rough. Huge rocks, piled near 
the water’s edge, prevented the passage of “ the little cart ” by that route. The hill side was 
sparsely covered with scattered pines, hut near the lake shore springs were numerous, and the 
growth of hushes was often dense. Bartee, the guide, shot three bald eagles with his rifle, as 
we passed along the base of the crags upon which they were fearlessly resting. 
In riding under the projecting limb of a tree, Mr. Daniels was knocked from his mule and 
quite severely injured. The country had recently been burnt over, and the want of grass 
compelled Lieut. Williamson unwillingly to continue the march. The trail soon diverged from 
the lake shore, and after passing over a dry plain entered an open pine forest. In a short time 
we found ourselves on the banks of Klamath river, which was flowing through a fine, grassy 
bottom, marked by a few clumps of willow bushes. Here we encamped. The river was about 
150 feet in width, and apparently quite deep. There was a ford, however, a short distance 
below. Every requisite for a good camp ground was found in abundance in the vicinity. 
August 20.—Mr. Daniels was much better this morning and able to ride his mule. 
As had been usual of late, a dense fog obscured the view for two or three hours after starting. 
Our course lay up the eastern side of the beautiful valley of Klamath river. The bottom was at 
first open, covered with green grass, and bordered by low timbered hills. We passed several 
cliffs of basaltic breccia, from twenty to fifty feet in height, and occasionally ornamented with 
rude, Indian paintings. The current of the stream was not very rapid, and there appeared to 
be several fords. The trail crossed one large and fine tributary which flowed swiftly over a 
rocky bed. After travelling twelve miles from camp, we reached the mouth of a canon from which 
the river emerged. The sides were of basaltic rock and pumice-stone, and very steep. Lieut. 
Williamson estimated their height at 1,000 feet at the highest points. We followed the trail 
over the ridge on the eastern side of the river, and several times looked down into the canon. 
Its course appeared to be straight in the main, but small bends were numerous. The ridge was 
heavily timbered with pine. The forest was on fire, and an occasional heavy crash reverberating 
for miles, warned us to beware of falling trees. The canon was about four miles in length. A 
short distance beyond its northern entrance, we emerged from the forest and entered a lovely 
meadow, covered with clover and fine green grass. The ground was miry near the river, which 
was deep and sluggish, and we encamped at the edge of the timber. The meadow appeared to 
be an arm of Klamath marsh, and was evidently flooded at seasons of high water. 
August 21.—This morning at daybreak, the fog was so dense that we could not see fifty yards 
in advance, but the sun soon caused it to melt away. The trail led us over a thickly timbered 
ridge which projected into the meadow. The soil was light pumice-stone dust, and fallen trees 
rendered travelling somewhat difficult. At the northeastern base of the ridge we reached the 
shore of Klamath marsh. This was a strip of half submerged land, about twelve miles long and 
seven miles broad. It was covert d by clumps of tirle and other aquatic plants separated by small 
sheets of water. Thousands of ducks, plover, and other water birds, made it their home. They 
were so tame that they would hardly fly at the report of a gun, but it was useless to shoot them, 
as the deep mud rendered it impossible to secure them afterwards. We surprised two Indians 
on the shore, and endeavored to make them understand that we were friendly ; but they evidently 
distrusted our professions, and escaped as soon as possible. 
Lieut. Williamson decided to follow the eastern shore of the marsh. We soon reached a 
collection of Indian huts built near the edge of the water. Our two friends had evidently been 
there before us, for the rancheria had been very recently deserted. Large quantities of food, 
