Clark: July 17, 1805
The party set out early and navigated Pine Rapid at an island with some difficulty, where Clark caught up with Lewis. Together they took a meridian altitude and lunar observations, calculating latitude at 46°42'14" N. Steep cliffs forced repeated crossings of the narrow river, only 70–120 yards wide, with little timber. After about eight miles they camped on the starboard side. Clark climbed a difficult mountain spur covered in pitch pine and grass. Game was scarce, but yellow, purple, and red chokecherry currants were ripening. Several mountain rams were spotted.
July 17th Wednesday 1805 Set out early this morning and Crossed the rapid
at the Island Cald pine rapid with Some dificuelty, at this rapid I came
up with Capt Lewis & party took a Medn. altitude & we took Some
Luner Observations &c. and proceeded on, the emence high Precipies
oblige all the party to pass & repass the river from one point to
another the river confined in maney places in a verry narrow Chanel from
70 to 120 yards wide bottoms narrow without timber and maney places the
mountain approach on both Sides, we observe great deel of Scattering pine
on the mountains, Some aspin, Spruce & fur trees took a meridian altd.
which gave for Lattitude 46° 42′ 14″ 7/10 N we proceeded on verry well
about 8 miles & Camped on the Stard Side The river crooked bottoms
narrow, Clifts high and Steep, I assended a Spur of the Mountain which I
found to be highe & dificuelt of axcess, Containig Pitch Pine &
Covered with grass Scercely any game to be Seen The yellow Current now
ripe also the fussey red Choke Cheries getting ripe Purple Current are
also ripe. Saw Several Ibex or mountain rams to day
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
July 17th, Wednesday, 1805. Set out early this morning and crossed the rapid at the island called Pine Rapid with some difficulty. At this rapid I came up with Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) and his party. We took a meridian altitude and some lunar observations, etc., and proceeded on. The immense high precipices oblige all the party to pass and repass the river from one point to another. The river is confined in many places in a very narrow channel from 70 to 120 yards wide, with narrow bottoms without timber, and in many places the mountains approach on both sides. We observe a great deal of scattered pine on the mountains, some aspen, spruce, and fir trees. Took a meridian altitude which gave for latitude 46° 42' 14" 7/10 N.
We proceeded on very well about 8 miles and camped on the starboard side. The river is crooked, the bottoms narrow, and the cliffs high and steep. I ascended a spur of the mountain, which I found to be high and difficult of access, containing pitch pine and covered with grass. Scarcely any game was to be seen. The yellow currants are now ripe, and also the fuzzy red chokecherries are getting ripe. Purple currants are also ripe. Saw several ibex or mountain rams today.
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