JOURNAL OF LT. WILLIAMSON’S SIDE EXPLORATIONS, COMPILED FROM HIS NOTES. 81 
without this instrument, I determined to return to the depot camp. We encamped at a 
small lake. 
September 19.—We attempted this morning to shorten distance by following down Why- 
chus creek, instead of taking the Indian trail. The road proved to he very had, and nearly as 
long as the other. There were miry places at which we had to unpack the mules, and travelling 
was very slow and difficult. During our absence, Lieutenant Crook had killed a large elk. 
We remained in camp until September 23, when the party arrived from Fort Dalles. They 
had been delayed by the necessity of sending to Vancouver for provisions. While waiting, I 
made many astronomical observations, for the purpose of testing the sextant. 
ROUTE FROM CAMP S, ON WHY-CHUS CREEK, TO VANCOUVER. 
September 23.—I gave Lieutenant Gibson official information that I now only required an 
escort, composed of Lieutenant Crook, the quartermaster and commissary of the expedition, 
and Lieutenant Sheridan with the dragoon detachment. After giving Lieutenant Abbot 
directions to explore, if possible, a route which should cross the Cascade Kange, between Mount 
Hood and Mount Jefferson, I made every preparation for starting to-morrow myself for the 
wagon road south of Diamond Peak. 
September 24.—I started after ten o’clock this morning, with Lieutenants Crook and Sheridan, 
Messrs. Fillebrown and Young, and the dragoons. We encamped where the trail crosses and 
leaves Why-chus creek. 
September 25.—We crossed the divide of the spur from the Three Sisters, and then tried a 
new route, which proved to be longer and no better than the former one. We encamped near 
the river, just below our old Camp G. 
September 26.—To-day we continued our course, and encamped near the junction of the two 
main forks of the second branch of the Des Chutes river. 
September 27.—This morning we followed down the stream to our former Camp E. We then 
took a course a little south of east, and struck the south branch, probably about six miles above 
Camp 37. We next followed the wagon road up the river, and encamped at the place where 
we had crossed the first time. - 
September 28.—This morning we followed up the branch, which must have forked, although 
we saw no tributary. We did not see Camp 36, and the road for half of the distance was on 
the right bank. I suppose that the branch of the stream which we followed must have been a 
north fork. We encamped at what appeared to be a general camping place, and which proved to 
be the point where the road leaves the Des Chutes waters for good. A mile or two below camp, 
the stream apparently received a tributary from the north. 
September 29.—To-day we crossed the main divide. After leaving camp we ascended a colla¬ 
teral ridge with a moderate slope, and followed it on an undulating trail until we ascended the 
main ridge, which it joined just south of Diamond Peak. North of this collateral ridge, and at 
its base, was a large lake, about ten miles long and two or three broad. This lake must be the 
source of the tributary which we saw a mile or two below this morning’s camp. The summit is 
attainable at a moderate grade, by winding, as the hill sides appear practicable. In descending 
we saw to the south of us a large lake, five or six miles in diameter, which is the source of the 
Middle fork of the Willamette. We descended on a ridge, in many places impracticable for a 
railroad; but a descent could be made to the lake, by side location and winding to gain distance. 
Thence the route would follow down the Middle fork, possibly through a canon, and doubtless 
11 X 
