Lewis: to Great Falls / Clark: to Three Forks — Patrick Gass: July 10, 1806

up, and was cold all night. This morning was clear and cold,
and all the mountains in sight were covered with snow, which
fell yesterday and last night.* At 8 o’clock we started down
the river, and in the course of the day our hunters killed five
*Tt will not be a subject of surprize, that snow should fall here in the middle of
summer, when the elevation of this part of the country, which divides the eastern from
the western waters, is taken into view. Every person will be able to comprehend,
that no small] degree of elevation, above its mouth, will be sufficient to give so rapid
2 course to the Missouri for upwards of 3000 miles, even supposing there were no great
falls or cataracts.
LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION — 259
deer, two elk and a bear. The road was very muddy after
the rain. The country on both sides is composed of beautiful
plains; the river about 80 yards wide and tolerably straight,
with some cotton wood timber on its banks; and plenty of
game of different kinds ranging through the plains. Having
made 24 miles we encamped for the night.