D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 2
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I
N THE PUBLISHED JOURNALS OF LEWIS AND CLARK,
which run a little under 400 pages, less than one page is
devoted to the "discovery" of the Corps of Discovery by
the Salish at the south end of Montana's Bitterroot Valley.
Likewise, Stephen Ambrose makes only passing reference to
the event in his critically acclaimed account of the expedi-
tion, Undaunted Courage. As a result, this chance encoun-
ter does not feature very prominently in the usual narrative
of the Lewis and Clark story. However, the paucity of that
account from the two captains and others of the Corps who
kept journals belies the absolute importance of that chance
encounter to their success.
From the journals, we learn only the bare facts. It was Sep-
tember 4, 1805. They had had a very difficult time climbing
out of the North Fork of the Salmon. The steep terrain and
deep snow left many of the horses lame from falling. A lack
e Salish Discovery
article and photos by DOUG STEVENS
