Day 48 - Missoula, MT to Powell, Idaho

We know a tremendous amount about the expedition discovery from the journals that Lewis, Clark and others kept. The only physical evidence that has been uncovered was at Travelers’ rest in Lolo, Montana, just outside of Missoula. Lewis and Clark camped there for a couple of days starting on September 9, 1805, and again on their return in early July, 1806.

In 1996, archaeologists  discovered at Travelers’ Rest evidence of a latrine dug in the exact location in which military protocol at the time would have required. There they also discovered evidence of mercury, which they believe came from medication that Lewis administered to two privates who are suffering from constipation.

Lewis and Clark made to fateful decisions at traveler’s rest. In 1805 they decided to push through the mountains beginning on September 11. They apparently did not realize how early winter arrives in this region. The mountain peaks seemingly stretched forever, there was little food and a lot of snow, and the corps of discovery almost starved.

In 1806, Lewis and Clark made another questionable decision while at travelers’ rest to divide the Corps of Discovery in order to explore more territory. Lewis and his men went north to explore the Marias river and Clark and his men went South to explore the Yellowstone River. They met up six weeks later in North Dakota. While traveling separately Lewis was shot in the buttocks by one of his own men and killed two young Blackfeet Indians who were trying to steal their horses.

After spending a fair amount of time at Travelers rest, it was up and over beautiful Lolo Pass.

I camped on the grounds of the gorgeous Lochsa Lodge, a big game hunting lodge on the beautiful Lochsa River.