82 JOURNAL OF LT. WILLIAMSON’S SIDE EXPLORATIONS, COMPILED FROM HIS NOTES. 
through an immensely difficult ravine. Grass was very scarce. Several streams coming from 
hills north of us were crossed, by the trail. 
September 30.—We continued to follow the trail, and soon came to the main stream, which 
we crossed twelve times during the day, and half crossed twice. The road is good for a mountain 
road, if travelling west. This afternoon the descent was more gradual; we made a long day’s 
march in order to obtain grass. 
October 1.—We continued on the trail, which was pretty bad. It crossed the river eight 
times, where it was belly-deep to the mules ; I noticed oak for the first time since we left Pit 
river, excepting a few scattered trees near Klamath lake. We marched until sunset, when, at 
last, we came to some poor grass. Bartee killed four deer on the way. 
October 2.—In a little more than a mile from camp we came to an unoccupied house ; half a 
mile further on wo reached a residence. The grass was poor, but we encamped and purchased 
some oats. Several animals had broken down on the road. 
October 3.—We remained in camp, and all the animals were recovered, except one dragoon 
horse. 
October 4 .—We started this morning for Spore’s ferry at McKenzie’s fork, leaving three 
privates and a corporal with the broken down horses, to rejoin Lieut. Gibson on his arrival. 
We found the country generally level, with a few rolling hills. McKenzie’s fork was deep 
where we crossed, and appeared to contain much more water than the Middle fork. We 
encamped near Spore’s house, where we purchased forage, as there was no grass in the vicinity. 
October 5.—The road to-day was excellent, but greatly interrupted by fences. 
October 6.—We made a good march to-day, following along the base of the foot hills. We 
crossed the south fork of the Santiam river, and found a beautiful valley between that and the 
north fork, on which we encamped. 
October I.—We encamped to-night at a house between Butte and Bock creeks. The road lay 
among the foot hills to-day, which were mostly timbered. 
Lieut. Williamson’s journal was not continued after this date. On the following day he 
passed through a slightly undulating, wooded region to Oregon City, where he encamped on a 
bluff above the town. On October 9, he proceeded to the bank of the Columbia river, through 
a country similar in character, and encamped opposite Fort Vancouver, where his field-work 
terminated. He left his party with orders to join mine on my arrival, and sailed for San Fran¬ 
cisco himself, to make preparations for the second survey near the sources of Carson river. 
