Lost Trail Pass, meeting Flathead Salish at Ross’s Hole — Joseph Whitehouse: September 8, 1805

cloudy and verry chilley and cold. we Set out eairly and
proceeded on down this large creek or Small River. passed
over Smooth dry plains. no timber only along the River,
which is large pitch pine the bottoms wide. we crossed
Several creeks. Saw Snow onthe Mountains to our left. high
barron hills to ourright. about 11 oClock we halted to dine at
a branch our hunters all joined us. had killed an Elk and a
Deer, Which they brought with them. the wind from N. W.
chilley and cold. the Snow lays thick on the Mo‘ a little to
our left. we delayed and let our horses feed about 2 hours,
and proceeded on down the valley. had Several Small cold
Showers of rain & a little hail. passed over level Smooth
plains in this valley. the Mountains are rough on each Side
and are covered with pine and the tops of which are covered
with Snow. Some places appear to lay thick. one of our
hunters found & caught 2 horses and a handsom Colt. we
take them along with us though the horses are lame. we
expect that to be the reason that the natives left them in these
bottoms. we travveled 20 odd miles this day and Camped at
the Creek and Smooth bottom where was fine feed for our
horses. our hunters all joined us one of them had killed a
Deer. crossed Several branches in course of the day.