University of Virginia Library

[Lewis:]

Sunday July 14th. 1805

This morning was calm fair and warm; the Musquetoes of
course troublesome. all hands that could work were employed
about the canoes. which completed and launched this evening.
the one was 25 feet and the other 33 feet in length
and about 3 feet wide. we have now the seats and oars to
make and fit &c. I walked out today and ascended the bluffs
which are high rockey and steep; I continued my rout about
31/2 when I gained a conspicuous eminence about 2 Mls. distant
from the river a little below the entrance of Fort Mountain
Creek. from this place I had a commanding view of the
country and took the bearings of the following places. (viz)

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The Upper Falls of the Missouri River,
sketch-map by Clark.

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229

To the point at which the Missouri first enters the Rocky Mountains
S. 28o. W. 25. Miles

To the termineation of the 1st. Chain of Rocky Mountains northwardly,
being that through which the Missouri first passes N. 73o. W. 80.

To the extremity or tirmineation of 2nd Chain of the Rocky Mountains
N. 65. W. 150

To the most distant point of a third and continued chain of the same
Mts. N. 50o. W. 200.

The direction of the 1st. Chain of Rocky Mounts. from S. 20. E. to
N. 20. W.

The direction of the 2nd. Do. from S 45 E. to N. 45. W.

☞ the Southern extremities of these ranges not visible and believe
they continue probably to Mexico

To Fort mountain S. 75o. W. 8.

The country in most parts very level and in others swelling
with gentle rises and decents, or in other wirds what I have
heretofore designated a wavy country destitute of timber except
along the water-courses. On my return to camp found
Sergt. Ordway had arrived with all the canoes about noon and
had unloaded them every preperation except the entire completion
of the oars poles &c. is made for our departure tomorrow.
the grass and weeds in this bottom are about 2 feet
high; which is a much greater hight than we have seen them
elsewhere this season. here I found the sand rush and nittles
in small quantities. the grass in the plains is not more than
3 inches high. grasshoppers innumerable in the plains and
the small birds before noticed together with the brown Curloo
still continue nomerous in every part of the plains. had a
slight shower at 4 P.M. this evening.