JOURNAL OF PETER SKENE OGDEN; SNAKE EXPEDITION, 1827-1828 (As copied by Miss Agnes C. Laut in 1905, from original in Hudson's Bay Compay House, London, England) August 24. Left Ft. Vancouver for the Snake Country with 28 trappers and hopes far from sanguine. 1st Sept. we reached Nez Perces, 1 on 5th Sept. set off. Sept. 6, Friday, left Mr. Black and overtook the party encamped on W. Walow River 12 miles from fort. Tuesday 10th. commenced crossing over the Blue Mtns ; camped at 1 1 A. M. drenched in rain and fatigued from windfall. This is the best trail across the Blue Mtns. from the source of the Walla Walla. 2 Friday 13th. All hands employed making poles for leather tents. Saturday 14th. Reached Clay River 3 or River de Grande Ronde wh. dis- charges in s. branch of Columbia 2 days march from Nez Perces. A Cayouse reported a party of American trappers are on the way to Nez Perces Fort. Tuesday 17th. Crossed over the Fork of Powder River and encamped on main branch. Wednesday 18th. encamped on River Brule. 4 Saturday 21st. Mr. McKay to explore sources of Sandwich Island River, 5 with 11 men. 1 Fort Nez Perces or Walla Walla at mouth of the Walla Walla river, Mr. Samuel Black in command. 2Probably the trail from the forks of the Walla Walla river seven miles above Milton, Oregon, across to the Grand Ronde valley, afterward the regular toll gate road. 3Not a very frequent designation- for the Grand Ronde river. 4Burnt river. SOwyhee river, so named by Mr. Reed or Mr. Mackenzie of the Pac. Fur Company because some Islanders killed there.
