JOURNAL OF LT. WILLIAMSON’S SIDE EXPLORATIONS, COMPILED FROM HIS NOTES. 79 
for a railroad ; but still there were low ridges, with gullies between them running northeast, 
which would have to be crossed. None of them were more than 200 or 300 feet in height. 
September 3.—To-day the main party arrived, having been delayed by the necessity of raft¬ 
ing the river. 
SECOND EXPLORATION AMONG THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS. 
September 6.—I left Camp 40 to make a second exploration among the mountains this morn¬ 
ing, accompanied by Lieutenant Sheridan, Messrs. Fillebrown and Young, Dr. Newberry, 
Bartee, and the dragoons. Lieutenant Abbot started with a small party for Fort Dalles, and 
the main body of the escort remained in Depot camp. 
The trail passed to the north of the northernmost snow mountain, and crossed the divide at 
a point much higher than some others visible a few miles further to the north. AVe had a 
fine view of Mount Jefferson, Mount Hood, and Mount Adams. Southward, two of the four 
snow peaks forming the Three Sisters, loomed up quite near us. There was snow on the trail 
near the divide. The ascent was steep, and impracticable for a railroad, Looking to the 
north and east, however, the prospects were more favorable. A high, lone mountain, six or eight 
miles north of us, interrupted the view, but it was evident that by going northwest from “Camp 
I,” on Why-chus creek, and skirting the northern base of the mountain, the divide could 
be reached at a much lower point, and the long sweep would decrease the grade. The distant 
view we had would not leave a doubt as to the perfect practicability of this route ; but a closer 
examination might reveal many unexpected obstacles. It, however, seemed to be the only 
feasible line between the Three Sisters and Mount Jefferson ; and it looked more favorable than 
the route south of the Three Sisters. 
Looking westward, we saw mountains beyond mountains, one mass without any apparent 
regularity or design, except that we saw the ordinary illusion of a system of ranges perpendicular 
to the line of vision. AVhether we were on the main ridge of the Cascade Range, when on this 
divide, I do not know. Four small lakes lay to the westward, between the ridge upon which we 
stood and another, parallel to it but much lower. There seemed to be a water-course from these 
lakes towards the north, but it may have been an illusion. A little south of west was the deep 
ravine of a stream which received a branch from Mount Jefferson and one from the south. 
From the divide we descended by a gradual slope, and encamped near the lakes. The grass 
was poor and scanty, and a much better camping place had been passed a mile or two back. 
September 7.—The trail led towards the west, this morning, over the low ridge that borders 
the lakes. A dry water-course, which we crossed before ascending, wound towards the north, 
and may or may not conduct to the Des Chutes. The strong probability is that it does not. On 
the crest of the ridge I halted the command in a whortleberry patch, while I went up on a 
small eminence, from which I could see the canons of the rivers, apparently about five miles off. 
The only grass in sight was in a meadow in the main canon, near the junction of the two branches. 
After advancing a short distance, the trail gave out where there was some grass and a few 
small lakes. It seemed probable, either that the trail led to this spot merely for pasturage, or 
that it was a branch from a main trail which we had missed near our last camp. AVhile ad¬ 
vancing towards the canon, we became entangled in fallen timber and thick forests, and were 
compelled to cross several steep ravines, in one of which we found water. Finally, on reaching 
the edge of the canon, we saw the river flowing more than 1,000 feet below us. To descend 
the precipice proved to be impossible, although we tried at several places. Abandoning all 
