Lewis and Clark Trail Articles
Lewis and Clark Across the Mountains
Mapping the Corps of Discover in Idaho
Archived: 2007
Lewis and Clark Across the Mountains, published in cooperation with the Idaho State Historical Society, presents in words, maps, and photographs the route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition including Lemhi Pass, Lemhi River, North Fork Salmon River, and Lost Trail Divide. The route continues up the Bitterroot River Valley, climbs to Lolo Pass, and […]
The Portage Route of Lewis and Clark
Archived: 1984
This map of Lewis and Clark’s Portage Route around the Great Falls of the Missouri in June and July of 1805 is offered here in two resolutions. Shown below is the medium-resolution (2400 x 1810). The high-resolution version (19817 x 14948, 61.6 MB) can be downloaded.
The Route and Campsites of Lewis and Clark in Montana
Archived: 1997
Relying on the celestial and terrestrial observations recorded by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, Robert Bergantino located the route and campsites of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in Montana and placed them on this map. This PDF file is very large—26.7 MB.
The Russians at Fort Clatsop
How the "Juno" nearly met the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Archived: 2019
Over the years we have heard occasional comments about the potential of a ship taking the Lewis and Clark Expedition, or at least their journals and maps, from the Pacific Northwest to return to the east coast by ship in 1806. This presumably would have also allowed the Expedition to replenish their supply of food, […]
The Long Arm of Mount Hood
From Robert Gray to Lewis and Clark
Starting with Captain Robert Gray, this short article discusses Mt. Hood’s importance to Pacific Ocean exploration. It ends with Lewis and Clark confirming their location when they first spotted the mountain in fall 1805.
Lewis and Clark’s Return by Sea?
Not their best option
Archived: 2022
When the Lewis and Clark Expedition departed for their ‘expedition to the Westward’, they carried instructions from President Thomas Jefferson outlining the scope of their activities. This also included a suggested option for the return of both them and the results of their observations and activities in the form of their journals and maps. Excerpts […]
Lewis and Clark Timeline
Archived: 2025
The following comprehensive timeline of all things possibly related to the Lewis and Clark saga, were among the personal notes left by Robert Heacock. His hope was that other historians would find it useful. This editor has added headings and subheadings to assist navigating its 260 pages. The work has not been edited for historical […]
Lolo Trail History and Cartography Part 7
Archived: 1992
This report pertains to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Landmark, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, the Nez Perce National Historic Trail. It also applies to all the other trails in the Lolo Trail System: Northern Nez Perces Trail in 1866, Bird-Truax Trail 1866, Lewiston and Virginia City Wagon Road 1866, Route of […]
Lolo Trail Composite Topo Maps
Lolo Trail National Historic Landmark: Composite Topographic Maps Techinical Report
Archived: 2002
These maps are the culmination of thirty-one years of research on the Lolo Trail National Historic Landmark. The author conducted many summers of primitive camping and hiking to access all the trails in this report, and he used precision GPS instruments to record the exact locations of these trail treads. He has hiked all the […]
A History Buff’s Guide to the Lolo Trail Corridor
Archived: 2026
Prepared for the amateur history traveler, this guide attempts to display the many historic sites along the National Forest land portion of the Lolo Trail Corridor, together with information about their history and where to learn more. We focus on two National Historic Trails; the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and the Nee-Me-Poo National […]