Lawrence A. McNary

“ This morning the fog was so thick that we had great difficulty in collecting our cattle; made a start at nine o'clock; traveled 10 miles over huge mountains and encamped on Hill Fork, a beautiful little branch; found good grass and willows; a few rods from us was a warm spring bursting from the side of a lofty mountain—a little above blood heat.
August 31. Road tolerable good; made an advance of five miles and encamped on a stream affording the best of water; grass and timber in abundance. ”

“ About 200 wagons were prevailed upon by Meek, and the trials experienced before reaching The Dalles included high mountain passes, burning sands without water, pursuing stream beds with water reaching high on the wagons, finding placer gold, crossing swift waters in wagon boxes, much sickness, and final arrival by aid of a rescue party. The experiences of the Meek “cut-off” people have attracted much interest, and yet are so little known as to facts that legend seems to predominate. ”

“ As we advanced this morning the beautiful scenery increased. This valley is one of the most sublime places I ever saw; it is from appearance from 30 to 50 miles wide from north to south the length of which I am not able to determine; the soil is rich and beautifully set over with fine grass intermixed with patches of sage; the mountains to the north in places are thickly set with pine and cedar [5] timber.
September 7. Road beautiful and level; traveled 16 miles; crossed one small stream and encamped on the northern margin of a large lake; [6] had an abundance of fine grass ”