Journal Entry

Clark: September 12, 1805

September 12, 1805
Lolo Trail, ascending into Bitterroot Mountains

September 12th Thursday 1805 a white frost Set out at 7 oClock &
proceeded on up the Creek, passed a Fork on the right on which I saw near
an old Indian encampment a Swet house Covered wthh earth, at 2 miles
assended a high hill & proceeded through a hilley and thickly timbered
Countrey for 9 miles & on the Right of the Creek, passing Several
branches from the right of fine clear water and Struck at a fork at which
place the road forks, one passing up each fork. The Timber is Short &
long leaf Pine Spruce Pine & fur. The road through this hilley
Countrey is verry bad passing over hills & thro Steep hollows, over
falling timber &c. &c. continued on & passed Some most
intolerable road on the Sides of the Steep Stoney mountains, which might
be avoided by keeping up the Creek which is thickly covered with under
groth & falling timber Crossed a mountain 8 miles with out water &
encamped on a hill Side on the Creek after Decending a long Steep
mountain, Some of our Party did not git up untill 10 oClock P M. I mad
camp at 8 on this roade & particularly on this Creek the Indians have
pealed a number of Pine for the under bark which they eate at certain
Seasons of the year, I am told in the Spring they make use of this bark
our hunters Killed only one Pheasent this after noon. Party and horses
much fatigued.

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