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Blue Mountains.
The Blue Mountains (in the distance) as seen from outside Pasco, Washington, near the Burbank Slough.
Image taken September 25, 2005.
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Blue Mountains ...
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Captain Clark mentions the Blue Mountains on October 16, 1805, as he journeys along the Snake River.
The "range of high Countrey" is today's
Horse Heaven Hills and the "S W. range of mountains" is the Blue Mountains of Oregon and Idaho.
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"In every direction from the junction of those rivers the Countrey is one Continued plain low and rises from the water gradually, except a range of high Countrey which runs from S. W & N E and is on the opposit Side about 2 miles distant from the Collumbia and keeping its derection S W untill it joins a S W. range of mountains."
[Clark, October 16, 1805]
And on October 17:
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"I can proceive a range of mountains to the East which appears to bare N. & South distant about 50 or 60 miles."
[Clark, October 17, 1805]
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From the Journals of Lewis and Clark ...
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Clark, October 16, 1805 ...
In every direction from the junction of those rivers [Snake River with the Columbia River] the Countrey is one Continued plain low and rises from the water gradually, except a range of high Countrey [Horse Heaven Hills' which runs from S. W & N E and is on the opposit Side about 2 miles distant from the Collumbia and keeping its derection S W
untill it joins a S W. range of mountains [Blue Mountains].
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Clark, October 17, 1805 ...
I took two men in a Small Canoe and assended the Columbia river 10 miles to an Island [Bateman Island] near the Stard. Shore on which two large Mat Lodges of Indians were drying Salmon,
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there is no timber of any Sort except Small willow bushes in Sight in any direction - from
this Island the natives showed me the enterance of a large Westerly fork which they Call Tâpetętt [Yakima River] at about 8 miles distant, the evening being late I deturmined to return to the forks [Snake River with the Columbia River, to their camp at today's Sacajawea State Park], at which place I reached at Dark. from the point up the Columbia River is N. 83° W. 6 miles to the lower point of an Island near the Lard. Side passed a Island in the middle of the river at 5 miles [Clover Island] at the head of which is a rapid, not dangerous on the Lard Side opposite to this rapid is a fishing place 3 Mat Lodges, and great quants. of Salmon on Scaffolds drying.
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The Waters of this river is Clear, and a Salmon may be Seen at the deabth of 15 or 20 feet. West 4 miles to the lower point of a large island [Bateman Island] near the Stard. Side at 2 Lodges, passed three large lodges on the Stard Side near which great number of Salmon was drying on Scaffolds
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I Set out & halted or came too on the Island at the two Lodges [Bateman Island]. Several fish was given to me, in return for Which I gave Small pieces of ribbond from those Lodges the natives Showed me the mouth of Tap teel River [Yakima River] about 8 miles above on the west Side this western fork appears to beare nearly West, The main Columbia river N W.- a range of high land to the S W [Horse Heaven Hills] and parralal to the river and at the distance of 2 miles on the Lard. Side, the countrey low on the Stard. Side, and all Coverd. with a weed or plant about 2 & three feet high and resembles the whins.
I can proceive a range of mountains to the East which appears to bare N. & South distant about 50 or 60 miles [Blue Mountains]. no wood to be Seen in any derection ...
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