A variety of uses are allowed on various segments of the trail. However, certain uses are restricted on segments of the trail, and the restrictions almost certainly change with ownership (Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, state lands, and private lands). For current authorized uses and restrictions you will need to contact the landowners of that segment of the trail. (The Nez Perce National Historic Trail map identifies large-scale ownership). If you need help identifying ownership, contact Sandi McFarland at smcfarland01@fs.fed.us

3. Q. Do I need a permit?

The need for permits is decided at the local level. (Many Forest Service trailheads require trailhead parking permits, Yellowstone National Park requires an entrance fee, and the section of trail between Weippe and Lolo Pass may institute a limited visitation policy for cultural resource and natural resource protection during the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commemoration 2003-2006. Contact the nearest identifiable agency for current local information.

4. Q. How many Nez Perce crossed the trail in 1877?

There were some 750 nontreaty Nez Perce — only 250 of them warriors; the rest were women, children, and old or sick people.

5. Q. How can I get a brochure or a supply of brochures?

This website includes the text of two of the Auto Tour Brochures and the Nez Perce Trail brochure. If you would like bound copies of the brochures, or if you need a supply of brochures and/or maps contact Sandi McFarland at smcfarland01@fs.fed.us

6. Q. Where can I find maps for the trail?

The official trail map is available for purchase at many of the visitor centers along the trail, and at National Forest offices along the trail route. You can also order it from the Northwest Interpretive Association, Clearwater National Forest. Contact Sandi McFarland at smcfarland01@fs.fed.us

7. Q. Is water readily available on the trail?

There is no potable water source available on any of the seven High Potential Segments:

1. Imnaha River
2. White Bird Canyon
3. Lolo trail
4. Gibbons Pass
5. Overland trail
6. Yellowstone
7. Missouri River Breaks

DO NOT assume that water will be available on any segment of the trail. Treat all backcountry water with an approved method (e.g. water filter, boiling, iodine tablets). For further backcountry information contact Leave No Trace, Inc. at www.lnt.org

8. Q. What books would you recommend on the Nez Perce Trail?

A. There are a number of books and other written literature on the subject of the Nez Perce War. On this website you can find an annotated bibliography that should help you find exactly what you are looking for.

9. Q. What kind of supplies did the soldiers take on their pursuit of the Nez Perce?

Clothing consisted of civil war surplus trousers and overcoats, Model 1874 fatigue blouses and gray issue shirts, Model 1876 blue experimental shirts, Model 1872 campaign hats, civilian slouch hats of various colors and types, and the Model 1872 Jefferson campaign shoes.

Bedding consisted of the Model 1851 gray wool blanket with black stripes and "U.S." stitched in the center, and the issue rubberized poncho for rain protection and field shelter and tent.

The standard issue weapon was the Model 1873 45/70 (single shot) Springfield rifle, and companies A and I of the 7th Infantry received the Rice trowel-bayonet. Accoutrements consisted of the Model 1876 prairie belt, with its lacquered canvas ammunition loops.

They were also equipped with the Model 1874 haversack and canteen. They had a tin cup, mess kit, knife, fork, spoon, and ration bags. Personal items a soldier may have carried included soap, toothbrush, candles, dice, and playing cards.

Food consisted of beef, potatoes, coffee, bacon, flour, salt, lard, and sugar. Major Mason informed his wife in a letter that they lived on hard bread, bacon, and occasional potatoes and coffee.

10. Q. Did Chief Joseph lead the Nez Perce across the trail?

A number of misconceptions surround the legacy of Chief Joseph and his role in the 1877 flight of the Nez Perce. At the time, local media and the military often referred to him as the leader of the non-treaty Nez Perce bands. This could be due in part to earlier treaty negotiations in which Joseph stood out as an eloquent speaker on behalf of his band of Nez Perce. He was a large, handsome man and some believe he simply fit the image of an Indian leader. From the standpoint of the U.S. military, it seemed important to have one individual to point to and exemplify the prowess of the Nez Perce at avoiding capture, rather than a small group of chiefs.

Throughout the flight Chief Joseph served primarily as camp leader. It is acknowledged by his fellow Nez Perce that he was not a war chief and did not lead warriors in battle. Chief Joseph made certain that the Nez Perce camp functioned and moved as a cohesive unit, especially during attacks by the military. He also made certain the horse herd was safe and intact. Chief Joseph’s notoriety grew even more following the surrender of the Nez Perce on October 5, 1877, at the Bear Paw battlefield. Here, he fought alongside his fellow chiefs and the warriors. In the end Joseph was the only chief left to carry out the painful duty of surrendering to Colonel Miles and General Howard. He did so in order to save the lives of the cold and starving men, women, and children who remained.

11. Q. Why isn’t there an appaloosa on the NPNHT logo?

This has been an ongoing question among those involved with the Nez Perce Trail for quite some time. The NPNHT logo is used in a variety of ways, including informational brochures and interpretive displays. On items where the logo is reduced in size, such as lapel pins, 3-inch trail markers, and letterheads, spots on a horse would simply disappear. In the case of the NPNHT highway signs, the larger logo needs to be kept as free of markings as possible in order for passing motorists to discern the image on the sign clearly as they pass by at highway speeds. So, in most cases the lack of a spotted horse has more to do with visual clarity than historical oversight.

In the future as changes are made to the NPNHT logo, it is likely that one of the horses will indeed be clearly seen as an appaloosa.

12. Q. Where can I find military diaries?

Depending on what type of military diaries you’re looking for, the best place to start is your local library. A university library is a good source of information, and on the internet you can search the National Archives in Washington, DC. Go to www.nara.gov

General Howard, along with several of his officers, wrote of their accounts during the Nez Perce War. Another who wrote from personal experience is Thomas Sutherland, who rode with Howard throughout the war. Both of their books are available at local libraries or through inter-library loan programs.

For more information on books, diaries, and articles about the Nez Perce Indians and the 19th century U.S. military campaigns, refer to the annotated bibliography on this website.

13. Q. Where can I find a list of all the Nez Perce and soldiers involved in the 1877 campaign?

The following list was uncovered by Larry O’Neal while researching various archives in Oklahoma. What follows is the listing of Nez Perce warriors during the 1877 War, composed by the Nez Perce warriors in Oklahoma on June 1882 and recorded by James Reuben.

The second list is the names of the Nez Perce warriors who joined in the Bitterroot Valley.

(Transcribed by W. Otis Halfmoon using James Reuben’s spelling)

There are 244 names listed.

The following are 16 Warriors warriors who joined later in the Bitterroot Valley.

TIMIINE IL’PILP BAND — 1877

The Redheart Band were marched as prisoners of war to Columbia Barracks, Vancouver, Washington

THE MEN OF THE 7th INFANTRY AT THE BIG HOLE

The 7th Infantry, a regiment* composed of 12 companies**, was headquartered at Fort Shaw but scattered between five posts throughout the Montana Territory in the 1870s. Men of Companies A, B, D, E, F, G, I, K, L and I of the 7th Infantry participated in the Battle of the Big Hole, along with 8 men from the 2nd Cavalry. Demographic information about these men follows:

*Regiments, usually numbered, are composed of Companies, usually named with a letter. During this time period, there were generally no more than 12 companies to a regiment.

**Companies are composed of men, or troops. At this time, companies had been down-sized from their Civil War size, and contained 60-80 men, with a limit of 100 per company.

U.S. Army Casualties, Nez Perce War, 1877

I. White Bird Canyon, June 17, 1877.
(Sources: Secretary of War, Report…1877, 131-32. Corrected as per McDermott, Forlorn Hope, and other materials.)