Bitterroot crossing attempt, turned back by snow — John Ordway: June 17, 1806

chilley and cloudy, we proceeded on down sd Creek about 6
miles then took up a high mountain, when we got about half
way up it the ground was covred with Snow 3 or 4 feet deep as we
ascended higher it got deeper untill we got to the top of the moun-
tain where it was 12 or 15 feet in general even on the South Side
where the Sun has open view but is so settled so that it bears. up
our horses, here is not a sign of any green Shrub or any thing for
our horses to eat, and of course no better for 4 days march a head,
if we could even find the road which is impossable without a
guide as their is no sign of a road or trail here so we halted on the
top of this mountain and our officers consulted on what was best
to do. at length determined to our Sorrow to return to where we
might git feed for our horses. So we Scaffelled up all our baggage
we could do a Short time with out. set in to hailling & raining
at this time verry cold and disagreeable, so we turned back
much against our expectations when we started went back on
hungry creek & followed up it about 2 miles & Camped for the
night’.