Bitterroot crossing attempt, turned back by snow — Patrick Gass: June 15, 1806

thunder. We left Com-mas flat to attempt to cross the moun-
tains; and had sixty-six horses, all very good. We ascended
a high mountain with a good deal of difficulty, as the path was
very slippery, but got over safe to a small prairie, where the
two men, who had gone on ahead had killed two deer and hung
them up. We took the meat, proceeded down the hill and
found the hunters who had killed another deer. We halted
at a creek and took dinner; then proceeded over a very diffi-
cult road on account of the fallen timber. We had rain at
intervals during the forenoon, but the afternoon was clear.
LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION — 245
We encamped ina small glade where there was plenty of grass
for the horses.