Lemhi Pass National Historic Landmark
In August 1805, the Lewis and Clark expedition reached Lemhi Pass, the western edge of the Louisiana Territory and the United States. For months, they had fought their way up the Missouri river to reach its headwaters. Now, climbing to the Continental Divide, the men must have shuddered at the sight of "immence ranges of mountains still to the west of us, with their tops partially covered with snow." The Expedition knew they would have to push over those mountains before winter set in. There would be no easy portage to the Columbia River after all.
Lemhi Pass National Historic Landmark is a remote, primitive site at 7,323 feet elevation, accessible only by steep, winding backcountry roads. Visitors have the opportunity to follow the route Lewis and Clark took up to the Continental Divide and see the rough peaks and rolling foothills of the Rocky Mountains much as they were 200 years ago.
On the border between Montana and Idaho, 52 miles southwest of Dillon, Montana and, depending on the route you take, 32-45 miles southeast from Salmon, Idaho.
Dillon Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
420 Barrett St.
Dillon, MT 59725
(406) 683-3900
http://fs.usda.gov/bnfd