Recreational Activities
Join the Salmon-Challis National Forest Heritage Team on the Lewis
and Clark National Historic Trail documenting Corps of Discovery history.
Spend a week learning about 19th and 21st century mapping along some
of the most pristine sections of the Trail in the United States. Members
of this 21st Century Heritage Expedition will work with Forest Service
archaeologists using the same types of tools and techniques Lewis
and Clark used in 1805, as well as the most up to date modern instruments,
to map the Trail. click
here for more information
*anything misspelled is done to preserve
the words of Lewis and Clarks' own remarks.
August 12 to September 3, 1805
Appointed by President Thomas Jefferson, Captains Meriwether Lewis
and William Clark were charged with finding a navigable water route
to the Pacific Coast. Departing Wood River, Illinois, in May 1804,
the expedition traveled for fifteen months to reach the headwaters
of the Missouri River, then crossed the Continental Divide and entered
the Lemhi Valley on August 12, 1805.
The Corps of Discovery faced many perils in this region. Stricken
by limited provisions with winter fast approaching, the party transported
mountains of canvas, wood and iron gear. After paddling the length
of the Missouri River, the treacherous current of the Salmon River
and the steep, crumbly surrounding mountains proved to be formidable
obstacles.
Lewis with three men led an Advance Party over Lemhi Pass and encountered
the Lemhi Shoshoni Nation. Convincing the Shoshoni that the small
party posed no threat to their well-being, they agreed to accompany
Lewis' party back over the pass and to assist the main party.
Clark led the Reconnaissance Party into the valley to explore the
feasibility of navigating the Salmon River. Faced with the strong
possibility of drowning should their flimsy canoes be swept into
the rocks by the swift current, the party made a critical decision
changing the course of the expedition and opted for a somewhat less
hazardous, but equally difficult dry-land route.
Encamped back in Montana, Lewis sorted supplies necessary for the
Portage Party over Lemhi Pass. Winter now only weeks away, the Entire
Expedition grew anxious to get to the Pacific Coast.
Imagine the hardships faced by these explorers as they trekked
through the Lemhi and Salmon River Valleys, and uncover places where
you can retrace Lewis and Clark's steps in areas where little has
changed since they were here.
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