Celilo Falls and The Dalles portage — Patrick Gass: October 22, 1805
The expedition set out early, spotting abundant waterfowl. By 10 a.m. they reached a large island where the river cuts through a high hill, and opposite it the Sho-sho-ne or Snake-Indian River enters from the south with rapids at its mouth—the same river whose headwaters they had seen at the Snake nation. Numerous Native people lived along the river in lodges made of bulrush and flag mats. Three miles farther, they reached the first major falls and made a difficult 1,300-yard portage of their baggage. They covered 18 miles and camped, unsure whether the canoes could pass by water.
early, and saw a great number of ducks, geese and gulls. At
10 o’clock we came to a large island, where the river has cut
its way through the point of a high hill. Opposite to this
island a large river comes in on the south side, called by the
natives the Sho-sho-ne or Snake-Indian river; and which has
large rapids close to its mouth. This, or the Ki-moo-ee-nem,
is the same river, whose head waters we saw at the Snake
nation.
The natives are very numerous on the island and all along
the river. Their lodges are of bulrushes and flags, made into
a kind of mats, and formed into a hut or lodge.
About 3 miles lower down we came to the first falls or
great rapids; and had 1300 yards of a portage over bad
ground. All our baggage was got over this evening and we
encamped with it; but are not certain whether we can take
our canoes by water. Our voyage to-day, to the head of the
rapids or falls was 18 miles.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Early, and saw a great number of ducks, geese and gulls. At 10 o'clock we came to a large island, where the river has cut its way through the point of a high hill. Opposite this island a large river comes in on the south side, called by the natives the Sho-sho-ne or Snake-Indian river; and it has large rapids close to its mouth. This, or the Ki-moo-ee-nem, is the same river whose headwaters we saw at the Snake nation.
The natives are very numerous on the island and all along the river. Their lodges are made of bulrushes and flags woven into a kind of mat, and then formed into a hut or lodge.
About 3 miles farther down we came to the first falls, or great rapids, and had a 1300-yard portage over bad ground. All our baggage was carried over this evening and we camped with it, but we are not certain whether we can take our canoes through by water. Our voyage today, to the head of the rapids or falls, was 18 miles.
This modernization is AI-generated for accessibility. The original above is the authoritative version.
Entities mentioned in this entry
Auto-extracted from the entry text. Hover any entity for context.
