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Our bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive the Lewis and Clark Travel Experience newsletter provided by the Lewis & Clark Trail Alliance. You can revoke your consent at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

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Step Into History at Fort Belle Fontaine! Establi

Step Into History at Fort Belle Fontaine!

Established in 1805, Fort Belle Fontaine was the first U.S. military post west of the Mississippi River and played a key role for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. After completing their journey, the Corps of Discovery stopped here to report their findings, marking a historic moment in America’s westward expansion.

Today, Fort Belle Fontaine Park occupies the same scenic area that was once home to the fort. While the original structures are no longer standing due to natural shifts in the Missouri River’s path, visitors can still see remnants of stonework from later military installations and enjoy trails, woodlands, and views of the river. The name “Belle Fontaine” means “beautiful fountain” in French, referring to the natural springs that were once a key resource for the fort.

Fun fact: Fort Belle Fontaine was a vital outpost, not only for Lewis and Clark, but also for trade and interaction with Native American nations.

Visitors can enjoy hiking, birdwatching, and picnicking in this peaceful, historic setting. Whether you're a nature lover or history buff, Fort Belle Fontaine offers a unique glimpse into the past!

Have you visited this historic site? Share your thoughts below!

Photos courtesy of the U. S. National Park Service and Explore St. Louis

Established in 1818 by the North West Company, For

Established in 1818 by the North West Company, Fort Nez Perce was near the mouth the Walla Walla River. It is in this area that the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped April 29, 1806 in their third night with Chief Yellepet.

The current red #22 navigation marker on a tall piling sits on the spot where Ft Nez Perce was located, and is visible from the Wallula Junction area on Hwy 730 mile marker 5 and is 4/10 mile north of the mouth of the Walla Walla River. From here the Expedition headed northeast on the Overland Trail.

https://lewis-clark.org/day-by-day/29-apr-1806/

April 23, 1806 - the Expedition woke up at their c

April 23, 1806 - the Expedition woke up at their campsite which is behind John Day Lock and Dam but Charbonneau was missing his two horses, and so they were delayed, and one was given up as lost.

During the day they walked on loose sand for twelve miles and were happy to stop and make their next camp at Rock Creek.

Here Charbonneau made arrangements for another horse, as Clark wrote:

"Shabono made a bargin with one of the Indian men going with us, for a horse for Which he gave his Shirt. and two of the leather Sutes of his wife."

https://lewis-clark.org/day-by-day/23-apr-1806/

Mystery on the Trail! What Do YOU Think? From the

Mystery on the Trail! What Do YOU Think?

From the National Park Service (https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/artillery-sounds-heard-by-lewis-and-clark.htm)

There are a great many mysteries throughout the Lewis and Clark story, but one that still causes people to scratch their heads took place in the area around the Great Falls of the Missouri in early July 1805.

Lewis wrote: “since our arrival at the falls we have repeatedly witnessed a nois which proceeds from a direction a little to the N. of West as loud and resembling precisely the discharge of a piece of ordinance of 6 pounds at the distance of three miles.” And Clark, added in his notes, “…a rumbling like Cannon at a great distance is heard to the west of us; the Cause we Can’t account.” Trappers and settlers in later years would confirm hearing a similar sound in the area.

Lewis first thought it was water-related – perhaps large pools emptying into a cavern somewhere in the nearby mountains. But there were times when the sound was heard in quick succession.

Some scientists have attempted to explain the phenomenon as coronal mass ejections from the sun striking our atmosphere, or gas erupting from inside the earth. And other ideas have included large bubbles of bio-gas billowing from lake bottoms, rumblings from seismic tremors, or perhaps Bigfoot sending communications via Morse-code-like sounds.

The Great Falls area isn’t the only spot that has reported these types of sounds. Seneca Lake, New York, has the “Seneca guns.” Native peoples reported hearing similar noises in the Black Hills of South Dakota. And several locations in New Hampshire and Connecticut have heard the same sounds.

Have you ever heard these types of sounds? What do you think is the cause?

Photo: Olaf Seltzer, Lewis and Clark with Sacajawea at the Great Falls of the Missouri 1804 1927, oil on canvas, 11 x 15 ¾ in. - Gilcrease Museum

Site of the Week: Gates of the Mountains As the L

Site of the Week: Gates of the Mountains

As the Lewis and Clark Expedition traveled up the Missouri River in July 1805, Lewis marveled at the towering limestone cliffs rising on either side. He named this breathtaking passage the "Gates of the Mountains" because the cliffs seemed to open and close as the expedition moved through the water.

Today, the Gates of the Mountains remain largely unchanged from what Lewis and Clark saw over 200 years ago. The massive limestone walls, some reaching 1,200 feet high, still frame the Missouri River, creating a stunning natural “gate” that feels frozen in time. This area is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, bighorn sheep, and black bears. It was also the site of the 1949 Mann Gulch wildfire, a historic and tragic event in firefighting history.

Visitors can explore the area through scenic boat tours, hiking trails, and fishing spots along the river. Kayaking and camping allow for an even closer connection to this pristine wilderness. If you're looking for adventure and history, the Gates of the Mountains is a must-see!

Have you explored this hidden gem? Share your experience below!

All photos credited to Cait Clark.