An archive of research on historic trails and roads
An interactive digital map of the route taken by the Nez Perce in 1877 as they fled from the U.S. Calvary and volumteer militia.
2018
ViewThis is one of a series of trail research reports that Steve F. Russell is producing for public use. It is a summary of his research and contains only a map set and GPS waypoint data set. His usual coverage of history and research methods has been left out. The intent of these summary reports is to make them available to trail pounders and trail history enthusiasts as soon as possible.
As his age advances well beyond 65, the author's energy and stamina are decreasing to the point where he feels an urgency to get this form of his research into the hands of future generations who can continue it and improve it.
2018, PDF
View DownloadThe Lolo Trail is a mountain trail in Northern Idaho that ranks secondonly to the Oregon Trail and the Mullan Wagon Road in its importance to Northwest U.S. History. Due to its remoteness, it may also be the most well preserved and documentable Native American trail left in the entire U.S. Aggressive documentation and preservation measures are urgently needed if the historic nature of the Lolo Trail is to be fully protected for future generations. These measures must be applied to the archaeological sites, removable artifacts, and the five actual routes or "paths" themselves. Documentation and preservation will involve photographic and radionavigation surveys, topographic location, definition of protection boundaries, and the protection of the existing routes against any type of rerouting. The most influential agency for effecting these changes is the Forest Service USDA. With their leadership, and the cooperation of interested historical groups and adjacent land owners, this documentation and preservation can become a reality.
1990, PDF
View DownloadOn the Clearwater and Lolo National Forests, in the mountains of Northern Idaho and Western Montana, there is an ancient trail system that has been used for hundreds of years as a land bridge between the Columbia River basin and the Missouri River basin. The approximate route of this trail is westward up Lolo Creek from Lolo, Montana to Lolo Pass and then along the dividing ridge between the North and Middle Forks of the Clearwater River until reaching the Weippe Prairie near Weippe, Idaho. Recent research, using a combination of historical records, computer analysis tools, and extensive field exploration, has now provided conclusive proof that the erosion trace of this ancient trail system still exists and can be located in many places along the 130-mile length of the trail.
Presented at the 1994 Fall Heritage Resources Program Seminar, USDA Forest Service, Region 1, Powell Ranger District, Idaho, PDF
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