Bitterroot crossing attempt, turned back by snow — John Ordway: June 10, 1806

Our horses were all found except 2. About 10 A.M. we set out and proceeded on. We ascended a high hill, then descended it down to Collins Creek, forded it, and ascended a high hill onto a level timbered country. 2 or 3 men were left to look for the lost horses. We proceeded through thickets of young slim pines and balsam fir timber. About 4 P.M. we arrived at the Camas ground where we camped.

[Footnote from Lewis: "Several foot races were run this evening between the Indians and our men. The Indians are very active; one of them proved as fleet as Drewyer (Drouillard) and R. Fields, our swiftest runners. When the racing was over the men divided themselves into two parties and played prison base, by way of exercise, which we wish the men to take previously to entering the mountain. In short, those who are not hunters have had so little to do that they are getting rather lazy and slothful."]

This was where we camped on September 4 last, but there are no villages here now. We camped here for a few days to kill some deer and take some meat for the mountains. This level consists of about 2000 acres of level smooth prairie on which there is not a tree or shrub, but the lowest parts are covered with camas, which is now all in blossom, but is not good until the stalk is dead. Then the natives assemble and collect their winter's food in a short time, as it is very convenient for their villages, as points of timber run out into the prairies on higher ground and are covered with pitch pine. It is a fine timbered country all around this rich land. The soil is deep, black, very rich, and easy for cultivation. Our men all came up, having found only one of the 2 lost horses. Several of the natives accompanied us. Several of our hunters went out this evening hunting; they all returned at dark. Collins had killed one deer. Some of the rest wounded several others, etc.