Lewis & Clark Expedition Trail
Idaho, Montana, Washington

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Along the Lewis & Clark Trail

Feature Article By Cheeta Brown

Captains Lewis and Clark and the Corp of Discovery were guests of the Nez Perce Indians for three weeks in May and June 1806. They camped in the present Kamiah valley at a site now occupied by Three Rivers sawmill on the north side of the river. The explorers were waiting for the snow to melt along the trail through the Bitterroots before they could continue their homeward journey.

Members of the party were suffering from hunger and many ailments including very sore feet. When they arrived in the valley most of their trade goods were gone. Food was in short supply in the Nez Perce villages as well as the camp of the Corp.

Captain Clark used his medical skills to treat a steady stream of ailing Nez Perce in exchange for food. The men traded their clothing and cut the brass buttons from their uniforms for food. Sources for food were so limited that the Captains eventually decided that each man would make his own deals for food to sustain him in crossing the Bitterroots.

Hunting success was limited. On May 14, George Shannon came into camp with two grouse and two squirrels and John Collins bagged two bear, an old boar and a “meagure” young female. The Captains shared the bear meat with the Indians. Later Shannon and Francis Labiche shot a female bear and two cubs, “very pore.” Sacajawea gathered roots and herbs to boil with the meat. The men were all allowed to  cross the river to the Indian villages in search of food, traveling as far as the present day Kooskia and Stites.

Sgt. Ordway, Robert Frazier, and Pvt. Windsor traveled across today’s Camas Prairie to the Salmon River the end of May with the intention of bringing back salmon. They returned with 17 salmon and couse roots. It was a disappointing journey as the distance from the river to the valley was so great many of the fish were spoiled. However, Clark wrote, “those which were sound were extremely delicious.”

Finally, Reuben Fields, Shannon, Labiche and Collins returned from a hunt with five deer and a brown bear that were prepared for the journey across the mountains.

During the days of waiting the Captains bartered vigorously for the Nez Perce horses. At that time the Nez Perce bands had the largest horse herd on the continent. The men participated in games with the Indians, horse racing, foot races, pitching quoits (a white man’s game) and prison base (an Indian game.) Captain Lewis encouraged the racing and games, writing, they “have had so little to do that they are getting reather lazy and slouthfull.”

On June 10, 1806 at 11 a.m. the Corp of Discovery left the Kamiah valley on the first leg of their Bitterroot crossing. Each man was well mounted and leading a second horse with a light load. Clark wrote, “we have several supernumary horses in case of accident or want of provisions, (for food), we therefore feel ourselves perfectly equiped for the Mountains.”

The were on their way east but you are traveling west. Before following the Corp of Discovery of 1805 from the Weippe Prairie, you should consider a side trip to the beautiful Camas Prairie. At Grangeville at the junction of U.S. Highway 95 and State Highway 13, you have the opportunity of viewing a replica of the Columbian Mammoth in the city  park. Bones of many of these animals have been discovered at Tolo Lake a few miles west of Grangeville. Following Highway 95, a short distance from the small community of Fenn a left turn and about two miles on a county road you will arrive at the little lake.

Back on Highway 95 and angling northwest you will want to visit the town of Cottonwood. A major attraction here is St. Gertrude’s Historical Museum, full of historical artifacts and memorabilia, recalling the days of mining, farming, logging, and Indian habitation. Cottonwood is close to the route taken by Sgt. Ordway on his trip to the Salmon River. A county road leaving Cottonwood in a southerly direction will take you down Grave’s Creek for a picnic on the river. No services there so prepare yourself  before heading in that direction.

Back on Highway 95 you will continue traveling in a northwesterly direction through Craigmont, Winchester, Culdesac, Lapwai, Spalding, the site of the Nez Perce Historical Museum and on to Lewiston.

   
Ancient petroglyph at Pittsburg Landing

This month our featured site is :

Be sure to visit the sites below while planning your next trip Along the Trail

Businesses and Information sites currently linked to the Lewis Clark NW web sites:  (Click here for information on linking your business).

U.S. Highway 12  

Nez Perce National Historical Trail  

Lolo, MT

Traveler's Rest

Kooskia, ID

Kooskia Chamber of Commerce  
Lewis Clark Road Tours

Kamiah, ID

Flying B Ranch  
Kamiah Chamber of Commerce
Lewis & Clark Resort

Orofino, ID

Clearwater Realty
Clearwater Web Solutions
Empire Realty Services  
Orofino Chamber of Commerce      
The Guide Shop  
The Real Estaters

Lenore, ID

Clearwater River Trips

Lewiston, ID

Adventures Afloat 
River Quest Excursions
Snake River Adventures

Grangeville, ID

Grangeville Chamber of Commerce  
Wolfinger Land & Auction 

Riggins, ID

Brundage Mountain Adventures
Riggins Motel 
River Adventures Ltd. 
Salmon River Chamber of Commerce 
Salmon River Experience
Salmon River Realty 
Wapiti River Guides 

Pollock, ID

Red Woods Outfitter

Cascade, ID

Whitewater Expeditions

Off the Beaten Path  

Moscow, ID

American Dream Realty  

Elk River

Idaho Clear Water

Wolf Creek, MT

Ingersoll Ranch   

HISTORICAL SITES ALONG THE TRAIL  

Kamiah
Kooskia
Salmon River
Weippe
Grangeville
Cottonwood
Fenn
Craigmont
Winchester
Culdesac
Lapwai

Lewis Clark NW

Come share the adventure of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial  

If you are planning a trip during the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, be sure to check out our convenient map at http://www.lewisclarknw.com/MSIEPage.htm  to find additional places of interest as well as accommodations as you plan your route.

LewisClarkNW.org
LewisClarkNW.com
MountainMemories

mailto:info@lewisandclarkidaho.com  

Along the Lewis & Clark Trail is brought to you each month by the staff at Clearwater Web Solutions with the assistance of Cheeta Brown, who always provides us with an interesting feature article.

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