68 NORTHWESTERN BOUNDARY OF UNITED STATES. [bull. 174. 
half had been traveled during- the previous year. On reaching the val- 
ley of the Skagit Mr. Harris located his observatory, and commenced 
observations for determining the point where the parallel crosses the 
river. 
While at Chiloweyuck depot, I found that our supply of pack mules 
was insufficient to enable the parties to progress with the work with- 
out great loss of time. Mules, apparejos, and pack-saddles were pur- 
chased, and additional packers employed, so that the supplies and 
outfits of the several parties were carried forward as rapidly as the 
work progressed and the trail was opened. 
On Mr. Gardner's completing the work at Chuchchehum station, 
we proceeded to make a reconnoissance of the country to the east of 
Skagit station, with a view of locating astronomical stations and deter- 
mining a route for a trail through to the Similkameen and Okinakane 
valleys, a region of country that had been heretofore unexplored and 
known only to a few Indian hunters. We found a mass of rugged 
and heavily timbered mountains, extending north and south, and hav- 
ing a breadth of about seventy -five miles. Through by far the greater 
portion of this distance, no trails were found; but, by dint of constant 
work of four axemen, we were enabled to force our way through the 
Similkameen. A good and practicable route was however found, 
crossing two summits having an elevation of about six thousand feet. 
A road party was immediately placed upon this route, under charge of 
of Mr. Gibbs. He was supplied with axes, picks, and shovels; and, 
after five weeks' labor with a strong force, a trail was opened, so that 
our instruments and supplies could be packed through without 
difficulty. 
On returning from this reconnoissance Mr. Gardner started with 
his party to occupy a station on the Similkameen. And Mr. Harris, 
having completed his determination and marking of the parallel at the 
Skagit station, proceeded to occupy one nearly midway between the 
Skagit and Similkameen, on the Pasayten, a tributary of the latter. 
In the meantime, the survey connecting the astronomical stations was 
continued by the trail, the nearest practicable line to the parallel, as 
well as the reconnoissance of the country on both sides of the parallel. 
On the completion of the observations, computations, and marking the 
parallel at Pasayten, Mr. Harris's party moved on to the Similkameen, 
and remained there in camp, while Mr. Harris accompanied me on a 
reconnoissance, to select another station on the Nehoialpitkwu, about 
thirty-five miles to the eastward. After reaching the Similkameen, we 
had no difficulty in traveling, the country being open and grassy, and 
occupied by horseback Indians; numerous well-worn trails were found 
running in every direction. One of these we found particularly advan- 
tageous, leading eastward from the Similkameen to Fort Colville, on 
the Columbia river, a distance of about one hundred miles. After 
