April 21, 1806
Several severe blows
When items are stolen from his camp, Lewis gives an Indian “several severe blows” and then threatens to kill and burn the entire village. After portaging Celilo Falls, they proceed on by horse and canoe.
Search Results for: dugout canoes
March 24, 1806
Stolen canoe claimed
On their way to present Aldrich Point, they cross shallow waters crowded with islands, and a Kathlamet man guides them to the correct channel. The guide claims he is the owner of one of their canoes.
January 11, 1806
Lost Chinookan canoe
Fort Clatsop, OR Careless paddlers fail to properly secure a canoe the previous night, and it floats away with the tide. Several men search for the lost Chinookan canoe without any luck. In Washington City, President Jefferson says the visiting Indian delegation will soon leave.
December 12, 1805
Coboway's peace medal
Fort Clatsop, Astoria, OR In addition to receiving Coboway’s peace medal, several Clatsops trade their food for fishhooks and Indian tobacco. Three cabin walls are completed, and the search begins to find wood suitable for making roofs.
October 23, 1805
Lining Horseshoe Bend
Celilo Falls, WA-OR While the men are lining the Horseshoe Bend of Celilo Falls, Lewis buys a Chinook canoe trading the smallest dugout, a hatchet, and a few trinkets.
September 26, 1805
The Clearwater Canoe Camp
Clearwater Canoe Camp, ID The entire corps moves several miles down the Clearwater setting up a canoe camp across from Ahsahka. Several are sick.
August 22, 1805
Shoshone foods
The journalists encounter several staple foods of the Lemhi Shoshones. Clark camps on a small island in the Salmon River and sees a bird new to science. Cameahwait’s People arrive at Fortunate Camp.
August 16, 1805
Too many worries
By night, the boats are within a day’s travel to Fortunate Camp. Already there, Lewis worries about the fate of the expedition. With him, the Lemhi Shoshones worry that they have been led into a trap.
August 15, 1805
Reluctant Shoshone helpers
After some initial trepidation, Lewis and most of the Lemhi Shoshone cross Lemhi Pass and camp in Shoshone Cove. On the Beaverhead River, the men manage to move the dugouts to Clark’s Canyon.
August 14, 1805
Asking for Shoshone help
On the Lemhi River, Lewis asks Cameahwait to help bring the expedition’s baggage over the Continental Divide. On the Beaverhead River, Clark reprimands Toussaint Charbonneau for striking Sacagawea.
August 13, 1805
Shoshone diplomacy
In the Lemhi River valley, Shoshone and Lewis diplomacy includes greetings, a flag presentation, a pipe ceremony, and revelry late into the night. Clark takes bearings from what is now called Clark’s Lookout.
August 11, 1805
First Shoshone encounter
After weeks of searching, Lewis has an encounter with a Shoshone warrior. He tries several methods to persuade the man to meet with him but is unsuccessful. The boats continue up the Beaverhead.
August 9, 1805
Shallow and winding river
The men struggle to move the dugouts up the shallow and winding Beaverhead River. Lewis moves ahead to find Shoshones and hopefully be able to trade for horses, and Pvt. Shannon finally returns.
August 3, 1805
More forks ahead
Lewis and his small group scout for Shoshones from before dawn until dark. He sees that the already shallow Jefferson River soon forks. Several miles behind, the enlisted men tow and walk the canoes.
August 2, 1805
A bountiful valley
Seeking Shoshones, Lewis and a small group scouts ahead of the boats on Jefferson River. They see large beaver dams. Clark sees many rattlesnakes and suspects one may have bitten his ankle.
July 27, 1805
Naming the three forks
Lewis and the boats reach the end of the Missouri. After exploring the Madison River, Clark’s group returns to the headwaters, and the captains name the three forks: Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin.
July 25, 1805
End of the Missouri
Early in the day, Clark reaches the headwaters of the Missouri. Lewis is behind with the dugouts. He describes the speed of pronghorns, and Clark explores what they would later name the Jefferson River.
July 23, 1805
Signaling the Shoshone
Lewis sees black garter snakes and camps with the boats near present Townsend, Montana. Meanwhile, Clark scouts ahead looking for Shoshones. The Louisiana governor discusses Fort Mandan specimens.
July 21, 1805
Progress slow and laborious
In the present Helena Valley, Clark’s group scouts for Shoshones. His party’s feet are so bruised and cut they must come back to the river and wait for Lewis. The boats struggle to make fifteen miles.
July 19, 1805
Gates of the Mountains
Lewis takes the dugouts through the Gates of the Mountains. Clark continues on an Indian road but finds no Shoshones. By the light of his campfire, he removes 17 prickly pear spines from his sore feet.
This page was funded in part by the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, U.S. National Park Service.
This site is provided as a public service by the
Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation
with cooperation and funding from the following organizations:
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
- Montana Committee for the Humanities
- Idaho Governor's Lewis and Clark Trail Committee
- The Capital Gallery (Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation)
- Yellowstone Public Radio
Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).