Lewis & Clark Sept 2,
1805
While there is a historical marker north of here that says they
camped in this vicinity, this is closer to where we think they
camped. While the journals say they were on the west side of the
river keep in mind there was not much room in this narrow canyon
and they probably spilled over onto both sides of the river to
camp. It is significant in that most scholars are in agreement as
to its location but where they camped the next night of Sept 3 is
in wide disagreement.
Lewis & Clark scholars who have studied the journals
extensively are in wide disagreement as to where the Sept 3rd
campsite is. Some place it in Idaho and some in Montana. Some place
it west of Saddle Mountain and some as far east as Chief Joseph
Pass. Without doubt the two days of September 3rd and 4th were the
hardest and most dangerous of the trek. We do not know exactly why,
but they left the longer, established Indian trail (35 miles) for a
shorter way (18) with no trail through some of the roughest terrain
on the trip.
I have put a cache at each of the Corp of
Discovery campsites in the Bitterroot Vally - er I mean Valley!
There are seven campsites in our valley. I have put a cache at Lost
Trail Pass to represent that campsite and so this makes nine Lewis
and Clark Campsite Caches in all. I personally think my friend
Steve Russell has found the actual location of the Sept 3rd
campsite. I plan to put a cache there some day - hopefully this
summer.
As of April 8th 2005 I
have changed this cache to an ammo can with a new log book (I
entered, as best I could read, the names of the previous finders
into the new book). I also wish to add that this location was NOT
chosen with parking in mind - it was chosen because this is where
they camped! Be very carefull to park as much off the roadway as
possible!
WINTER NOTE: This cache
is quite a bit harder in the winter becasue it is so close to the
highway that the snowplows really cover and pack it
in!