Lewis: July 14, 1805

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 we 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 mes. 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)

To the point at which the Missouri first enters the Rocky Mountains S. 28°
W. 25 To the termineation of the 1st Chain of Rocky Mountains;
northwardly, being that through which the Missouri first passes N. 73° W
80 To the extremity or tirmineation of 2cd 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. 50°W. 200 The direction of the 2cd Do. from S 45 E. to N.
45deg. W.

To Fort Mountain S. 75° 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 Curlooe still continue nomerous in
every part of the plains.

had a slight shower at 4 P.M. this evening.