History

Lewis & Clark

At the request of President Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark began their expedition in August of 1804, seeking the ever-elusive "Northwest Passage."  More than a year later they would reach the valley of the beautiful Bitterroot River near what is now Lost Trail Pass.  Just days earlier, Lewis had expected to see the Pacific Ocean from the Continental Divide, but he was instead confronted with only more "unknown, formidable, snow-clad mountains."  Trusting the word of their Shoshone guide, they traveled north along the east side of the Bitterroot River, eventually crossing around Florence.   After stopping at "Travelers' Rest," the expedition would enter the Bitterroot Mountain Range at Lolo Pass. 

On their return trip in 1806, Lewis and Clark temporarily split up, as Lewis went to explore a shorter route through the Divide.  Clark would travel again through the Bitterroot Valley, this time on the west side of the River, presumably right through what is now Chief Joseph Ranch. 

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History:

Chief Joseph Ranch ~ Lewis and Clark ~ Nez Perce Indians