Patrick Gass: June 3, 1805
The expedition reached a fork of two rivers and the captains were unsure which branch was the correct route to follow. They sent out two small scouting parties, with Gass and two men exploring the south branch while a sergeant and two others examined the north. Each group traveled about 15 miles. The south branch proved rapid, clear, 372 yards wide, with many islands; the north was muddier, less rapid, and 186 yards wide. A small stream called Rose river entered the north branch. Captain Lewis measured the latitude at 47°24'12" N, but he and Captain Clark remained undecided about which river to ascend.
two rivers and encamped there. The commanding officers
could not determine which of these rivers or branches, it was
94 GASS’S JOURNAL OF THE
proper to take; and therefore concluded to send a small party
up each of them. Myself and two men went up the south
branch, and a serjeant and two more up the north. The
parties went up the two branches about 15 miles. We found
the South branch rapid with a great many islands and the
general course South West. The other party reported the
North branch as less rapid, and not so deep as the other.
The North branch is 186 yards wide and the South 372 yards.
The water of the South branch is clear, and that of the North
muddy. About a mile and a half up the point from the con-
fluence, a handsome small river falls into the North branch,
called Rose river. Its water is muddy, and the current rapid.
Captain Lewis took a meridian altitude at the point, which
gave 47. 24. 12. North latitude. Captain Lewis and Captain
Clarke were not yet satisfied with respect to the proper river
to ascend.
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two rivers and camped there. The commanding officers could not determine which of these rivers or branches it was proper to take; and therefore concluded to send a small party up each of them. Myself and two men went up the south branch, and a sergeant and two more up the north. The parties went up the two branches about 15 miles. We found the South branch rapid with a great many islands, and the general course South West. The other party reported the North branch as less rapid, and not so deep as the other. The North branch is 186 yards wide and the South 372 yards. The water of the South branch is clear, and that of the North muddy. About a mile and a half up the point from the confluence, a handsome small river falls into the North branch, called Rose river. Its water is muddy, and the current rapid. Captain Lewis took a meridian altitude at the point, which gave 47° 24' 12" North latitude. Captain Lewis and Captain Clarke (Clark) were not yet satisfied with respect to the proper river to ascend.
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