Distinctly Montana Magazine

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 18 LIVINGSTON LIVINGSTON DILLON DILLON GREAT FALLS GREAT FALLS LOLO LOLO FORT FORT BENTON BENTON HELENA HELENA BOZEMAN BOZEMAN BEAVERHEAD ROCK BEAVERHEAD ROCK L EWIS AND CLARK HAD MANY ADVENTURES as they made their way back— and forth!—through the Big Sky State. They were chased by a griz- zly; had to portage their canoes and gear great distances over land; met helpful natives from several Indian tribes (and a couple not-so helpful); endured near-starvation; and much more. We collected some highlights of the Corps of Discovery's expedition into a map that shows their route westward and return trip to the east, as well as calling out the regions where other stories in this special issue of Distinctly Montana take place. Present-day cities are shown for context of their route. MISSOURI MISSOURI HEADWATERS HEADWATERS STATE PARK STATE PARK TRAVELERS' TRAVELERS' REST REST L E W I S C L A R K' S R O U T E T H R O U G H A N D M O N TA N A ! THE SALISH DISCOVERY OF THE CORPS OF DISCOVERY PAGE 44 TRAVELERS' REST: A STUDY IN PRECISION ON THE LEWIS AND CLARK TRAIL PAGE 50 JUNE 13, 1805 Lewis scouts ahead and finds the Great Falls, which he calls "truly magnifficent" AUGUST 17, 1805 Lewis meets the Shoshone in Idaho, including Sacagawea's brother, who has become the chief. Lewis returns to Camp Fortunate with his new friends. SEPTEMBER 11, 1805 An early heavy snow causes the expedition to nearly starve to death as they cross the Bitterroot Mountains into Idaho JULY 3, 1806 The expedition splits up to maximize their mission. Clark heads south to explore the Yellowstone River, while Lewis journeys north along the Marias River. They plan to reconnect at Fort Mandan by summer's end. JULY 19, 1805 The Corps comes upon a dramatic rock formation near Helena and names it "Gates of the Rocky Mountains." JULY 25, 1805 The Expedition arrives at Three Forks, near Missouri River Headwaters State Park. They name two of the three rivers Madison and Jefferson after Presidents, and the third Gallatin, after the Secretary of Treasury. AUGUST 8, 1805 The group finds Beaverhead Rock, between Twin Bridges and Dillon. Sacagawea has childhood memories of the distinctive landmark from before she was kidnapped at age 12. AUGUST 12, 1805 As the main group sets up Camp Fortunate outside Dillon, Lewis and a small group leaves Montana to scout ahead and be- comes the first American citizens to cross the Continental Divide at Lemhi Pass. SEPTEMBER 9, 1805 Expedition arrives at Lolo Creek and establishes Traveler's Rest camp, near Lolo. JUNE 29, 1806 After the snow finally melts, the Expedition crosses back into Montana and camps again at Traveler's Rest. JULY 15, 1806 Clark's group begins to explore the Yellowstone River. JUNE 15, 1805 On a solo hunting trip, Lewis is chased by a grizzly bear, and escapes by jumping into the river.

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