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Trek II - Willamette River, OR Trek III - Western Lewis & Clark Trek IV - Entire Lewis & Clark Lewis & Clark Internet Resources
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| The Spirit of Sacajawea | |
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It became apparent from Lewis and Clark's writings that even without the grizzly bears the journey became very difficult and uncertain, especially above Great Falls, Montana. Here the waters of the Jefferson, Madison and Beaverhead rivers congregate to form the Missouri. The route from here west over the Bitterroot Mountains was difficult then and is difficult to follow now, even with accurate modern day maps. The rivers turn to creeks, often with little water, and the roads diminish to goat trails. It was here in 1805 where the assistance of the Shoshone woman Sacajawea became pivotal.
She had originally been kidnapped from the tribe as a young girl and recognized the area as the home of her tribe and was reunited with them. The grateful Shoshones helped Lewis and Clark over this mountainous region by supplying guides up the Bitterroots and horses for the pack trip over the Lolo Pass (where boats could not go) and eventually down into Idaho and the Lochsa, Clearwater and Snake Rivers, then down the Columbia River to the Pacific.
I am of the opinion that Sacajawea did not receive recognition commensurate with her contribution to the expedition and that is the reason why I am naming this trek “Spirit of Sacajawea” in her memory. I sincerely hope her spirit will be with me as I follow in her footsteps 200 years after.
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