Kimooenim Creek Lunch Site

On May 3, 1806, Meriwether Lewis set the scene:

“This morning we set out at 7 A. M. steered N. 25 E 12 ms. to Kimooenem Creek through a high level plain. this creek is about 12 yds. wide pebbly bottom low banks and discharges a considerable body of water it heads in the S. W. mountains and discharges itself into Lewis’s river a few miles above the narrows. the bottoms of this creek are narrow with some timber principally Cottonwood and willow.”

Today, a marker commemorates the Corps’ lunch in the Tucannon Canyon. The text of the marker reads in part:

    “The Corps of Discovery crossed the “high plains” and descended to this location after a cold morning of rain, snow, and hail. They described the Kimooenim Creek (Tucannon River) much as you see it here including willows and cottonwood growing along it, a pebbled bottom, and low banks.

Traces of the trail they followed can be seen in the canyon to the west of the river and on the hill to the east immediately south of the Marengo Grade Road.

After “dining” near this location, the expedition proceeded eastward over the hills to the south and continued on the Pataha creek near US Highway 12.”