Opening the Cascade Gateway

The Committee appointed by the citizens of the Sound to superintend the construction of a wagon road through the Snoqualmie Pass of the Cascade Mountains, having completed the work as far as is practicable this season, submit the following report: The road was commenced at Snoqualmie Prairie and has been cleared for a width of ten or twelve feet to the Summit Prairie, which is a proper locality for a junction of roads from the different points on the Sound. On leaving the valley of the prairie, the road descends to a level bench or plateau which extends to Toca-num Lake, a distance of 6 miles; thence along the shore of the lake nearly level 5 miles; thence to the foot of the main divide in the valley of Cedar Creek, 1 1/2 miles; thence up the divide on an easy grade to the Summit Prairie, 1 1/2 miles; thence along the divide, avoiding the highest point by passing to the right and down to the Twin Lakes, 1 1/2 miles; thence down the eastern slope of the mountains, which is not steep, but will require some grading, to the outlet of Lake Kachess, 2 miles; thence on level ground to the open timber at the head of Yakima Valley, 7 miles. The road is cut out wide enough for a wagon to pass, and the logs removed. Some grading is yet required on different portions of the road which we were not able to do on account of the lateness of the season. But we propose to renew the work next summer, and improve it in time for the emigration. The route is well supplied with good water, and grass can be found in abundance at Snoqualmie, Rattlesnake and Summit Prairies.