Missouri River, first view of Rocky Mountains — Joseph Whitehouse: May 27, 1805

pleasant weather. the wind high from the N. W. about
10 oC. we Set off and proceeded on with the towing lines.
the current verry Swift. passed a great nomber of rapid places.
passed verry high Steep mountains and clifts Steep precipices.
these mountains appear to be a desert part of the country. they
wash by rains, but a little rain in this part. no diews like
other parts but barron broken rich Soil but too much of a
desert to be inhabited, or cultivated. Some Spots of pitch &
Spruce pine. the game is Scarcer than it has been. no grass
nor timber for them to live in, but what Ibex or Mountain
Sheep, Elk deer &c [there are ] live on what little grass their is
in the vallies and narrow plains on [‘the] river, which is covered
with wild hysop rose bush & Some grass. Some different
kinds of mint along the Shore. Saw mussel Shells also. the
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Shore is Stoney & gravvelly. no falling in banks but the
creeks drive the earth and gravvel in Some distance in the river
which causes the most of the hard riffles, which we have had all
day and had to double man our perogues to git them over Safe.
one mountain ram or Ibex killed to day. we Came 13 m* to
day, and Camped at an old Indian Camp on the S. Side [of]
River we are 800 & 10 miles from the Mandans, 2415 [from
the Mouth of the Missouri].