Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains constitute one of the largest uplifts in the state and the main range together with its spurs and offshoots, extends into several counties. The backbone of the Blue Mountains begins in Grant County and runs northerly through Baker, Union, Umatilla and Wallowa Counties in Oregon and into Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin Counties in Washington.
The Blue Mountains are separated from the Wallowa Mountains in northeastern Oregon by Powder River and Grande Ronde River. The highest point in the Blue Mountains is Rock Creek Butte, a peak on Elkhorn Ridge a few miles west of Baker. Rock Creek Butte has an elevation of 9097 feet.
One of the first references to these mountains is by Gabriel Franchere, one of the Astorians. On arriving at the Walla Walla River, he wrote: "A range of mountains was visible to the S. E., about fifty or sixty miles off." He does not give the mountains a name. On July 9, 1811, David Thompson of the North West Company of Montreal, refers to them as Shawpatin Mountains, but in his entry for August 8, 1911, he says: "Beginning of course to see the Blue Mountains, between the Shawpatin and the Snake Indians." In a footnote, T. C. Elliott, editor of the Thompson Journal, says: "Apparently the first record of this name Blue as applied to these mountains." (Oregon Historical Society Quarterly, volume XV, pages 57 and 121). Alexander Ross, J. K. Townsend, David Douglas, Peter Skene Ogden, John Work and other early travelers continued the use of the name, Blue Mountains. One of the first references is by Rev. Gustavus Hines (Exploring Expedition to Oregon, published 1851, page 323): "As you approach the Blue Mountains on the south, particularly on the Umatilla and Wall Walla Rivers, the hills disappear, and you find yourself passing over a beautifuland level country, about twenty-five or thirty miles broad, on the farther borders
