CHAPTER IV. 
NARRATIVE AND ITINERARY CONTINUED-ROUTES OE DETACHED 
PARTIES IN CHARGE OE LIEUT. WILLIAMSON. 
Exploration near lower klahath lake.—Party.—White stone.—Lower xlamath lake.—Klamath river.-—Letters.—Canon.— 
Passage of river through lake.—Upper klamath lake.—Raft.—Junction with main party.—First exploration among 
the cascade mountains.—Party.—Fine meadow.—Snow peaks.—Lakes.—View from mountain.—Indian trail.—Cascade.— 
Extinct crater.—Summit of divide.—Three men sent back.—Indians.—Forks of trail.—Why-chus creek.—Junction with 
main party.—Second exploration among the cascade mountains.—Party.—Extended view.—Snow.—Lakes.—Trail disap¬ 
pears.—Canon.—Compelled to turn back.—Depot camp again.—Second start.—Difficult route.—Extended yiew.—Trail 
disappears.—Route impassable.—Compelled to turn back.—Rain.—Indians.—Barometer broken.—Return to depot camp.— 
New route.—Elk killed.—Astronomical observations.—Route from camp S on why-chus creek to Vancouver.—Final 
division of party.—Start.—Wagon road.—Main divide.—Lakes.—Middle fork of Willamette river.—Route in ravine — 
First settlement.—Spore’s ferry.—Broken down horses left behind.—Fences.—South fork of santiam river.—North 
fork.—Oregon city.—Fort Vancouver.—Subsequent movements of Lieut. Williamson. 
These itineraries have been compiled entirely from Lieut. Williamson’s field notes, as I did 
not accompany him on the expeditions. As his journal was written hastily and without any 
view to publication, considerable revision has been necessary—so much, indeed, as to preclude 
the use of quotation marks. I have, however, been careful to adhere to his own words as far 
as possible. 
EXPLORATION NEAR LOWER KLAMATH LAKE. 
August 13.—I started this morning with Lieut. Sheridan and the dragoons to follow round 
the western side of Lower Klamath lake, having directed Lieut. Abbot to pass with the main 
party up the eastern side, and rejoin me near Upper Klamath lake. I crossed Lost river at the 
Natural Bridge, and then proceeded on the Yreka trail to where the Oregon trail diverged from 
it. We travelled to-day about twenty miles and encamped on a stream, ten feet wide, which 
flowed from springs at the foot of a neighboring hill. 
August 14.—About a mile from camp I saw a white spot on the road, and found that the 
ground became white as I approached it. On the spot itself were fragments of a white, soft 
stone, apparently clay. A piece was preserved for examination. About four miles from camp 
we crossed a fine spring branch, rising at the foot of hills within one hundred yards of the trail, 
and apparently joining the one on which we had encamped, near Lower Klamath lake. Three 
miles further on we crossed another spring branch emptying into the lake. About two or three 
miles further on we skirted the western side of the lake. The body of water was small, hut a 
large marsh extended for about ten miles towards the north. We soon entered pine timber, and 
after crossing a pretty high divide reached Klamath river, a short distance from the lake. The 
sick men were better. I prepared letters for the War Department, to send by them to Fort 
Lane. 
August 15.—Within half a mile of camp, the river came through hills forming a canon. We 
were obliged to ascend the ridge, and follow it for about six miles. We then descended, forded 
the river, and soon reached the edge of the marsh. Our course thus far to-day had been nearly 
parallel to that of yesterday. After taking several compass hearings, we followed a northerly 
