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 62 LEWIS AND CLARK PASS The tiny mountain town of Lincoln lies just over an hour outside of Missoula via Interstate 90 eastbound and MT-200, with plenty of fishing access points on the Blackfoot River along the way. Turn north onto Alice Creek Road approxi- mately 9 miles east of Lincoln and continue 11 miles until you reach the Alice Creek Trailhead. This moderately challenging, 3.4-mile out- and-back hike leads to the 6,400-foot rise of Lewis and Clark Pass and offers spectacular views of the dense alpine forest and sparkling rivers in the valley below. Sharp peaks stab skyward in the distance. It was in this very spot that Lewis and his party crossed the Continental Divide while on their way back from the Pacific coast on July 7, 1806. Square Butte—a flat-topped, promi- nent laccolith—can still be seen jutting out of the plains to the north from this vantage point. The butte confirmed the expedition was still on course and was likely a welcome sight for Lewis. GREAT FALLS OF THE MISSOURI AND GIANT SPRINGS MT-200 east travels up and over Rogers Pass before abruptly dropping down into the vast, rolling plains during the 90-minute drive to the bustling city of Great Falls. The falls were a key signpost for the expedition during their westbound journey thanks to the Hidatsa tribe, who assured them they would know they were on the correct route once they located the thunderous cascades. As affirming as finding the falls must have been, it also confirmed the expedition's long-standing fears about the back-breaking, 20-mile portage they would need to un- dertake in order to circumvent the deadly waters. The effort took a month. Only one of the series of five waterfalls they encountered can still be seen today. The remaining four have been swal- lowed up by multiple dams. Swing by the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center at BRIDGING THEN AND NOW This 712-mile driving loop takes just under 13 hours to com- plete without breaks, but the 17 stops we've compiled for your adventure are the true destinations of the journey. We started out in Missoula, but you can jump on board at any access point along the way. Keep in mind that the Corps of Discovery traveled through Big Sky Country twice during their adventure—first heading westbound, then returning east- bound—and split into different exploratory teams at times, so the stops along the route are not always chronological. Buckle up and enjoy the open road! BRIDGE NEAR SILVERSTAR GIANT SPRINGS STATE PARK LOST TRAIL PASS AREA.

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