Gates of the Rockies

Above the Great Falls of the Missouri, the expedition continues up the Missouri River in eight dugout canoes. There, the river flows along and through the eastern arms of the Rocky Mountains. Clark lists each river constriction as a gate, gap, or narrow.

Below Three Forks, Montana, the Missouri River ends—fed by three forks named by the captains: the Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson. They continue up the Jefferson until it too forks into three rivers.

The Beaverhead River is only a sixth the size of the Missouri, and the enlisted men must walk the heavy dugouts up the shallow rapids. They are encouraged when Sacagawea sees familiar landmarks such as Beaverhead Rock.

To get to the waters of the Columbia, they would need horses. The captains take turns scouting ahead by land to find the Shoshones who they hope will have horses. While crossing the Continental Divide at Lemhi Pass, Lewis finally meets them.

Clark would continue with most of the party moving the boats up the shallow Beaverhead. By the time they reach the end of the navigable river, Lewis and a group of Shoshones are waiting for them. One journalist would later name the place Fortunate Camp.

July 1804

1. July 13, 1805 – Preparing to Move OnLeni HollimanDuration: 2:26
2. July 14, 1805 – Launching the New CanoesLeni HollimanDuration: 2:47
3. July 15, 1805 – On the Way to Three ForksLeni HollimanDuration: 3:14
4. July 18, 1805 – Anxious to Find the ShoshoneLeni HollimanDuration: 3:16
5. July 19, 1805 – The Gates of the MountainsLeni HollimanDuration: 3:23
6. July 20, 1805 – Signs that the Indians are NearLeni HollimanDuration: 3:41
7. July 21, 1805 – Progress Slow and LaboriousLeni HollimanDuration: 2:56
8. July 22, 1805 – Sacagawea Recognizes the CountryLeni HollimanDuration: 3:01
9. July 25, 1805 – Clark at the Three ForksLeni HollimanDuration: 2:48
10. July 26, 1805 – Captain Clark Much FatiguedLeni HollimanDuration: 3:43
11. July 27, 1805 – Lewis at the Three ForksLeni HollimanDuration: 3:15
12. July 28, 1805 – Madison, Jefferson & GallatinLeni HollimanDuration: 3:37
13. July 29, 1805 – A Day of Rest & a Sand Hill CraneLeni HollimanDuration: 3:13

August 1805

1. Aug 1, 1805 – In Quest of the Snake IndiansLeni HollimanDuration: 3:14
2. Aug 2, 1805 – Hot Days and Cool NightsLeni HollimanDuration: 3:21
3. Aug 3, 1805 – Signs that Indians are NearLeni HollimanDuration: 2:41
4. Aug 4, 1805 – Many Streams to PonderLeni HollimanDuration: 3:05
5. Aug 5, 1805 – Choosing the Middle ForkLeni HollimanDuration: 2:46
6. Aug 8, 1805 – Sacagawea Recognizes the Beaver's HeadLeni HollimanDuration: 3:49
7. Aug 9, 1805 – Shannon Lost & FoundLeni HollimanDuration: 2:55
8. Aug 10, 1805 – Indian Roads, Impassable StreamsLeni HollimanDuration: 3:43
9. Aug 11, 1805 – Lewis Signals an IndianLeni HollimanDuration: 3:40
10. Aug 12, 1805 – The Continental DivideLeni HollimanDuration: 2:47
11. Aug 15, 1805 – At Last The ShoshoneLeni HollimanDuration: 3:43
12. Aug 16, 1805 – Everyone HungryLeni HollimanDuration: 2:53
13. Aug 17, 1805 – Sacagawea and Cameahwait, Brother & SisterLeni HollimanDuration: 3:11

Originally aired by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial observance in 2004–2006, these 627 radio episodes parallel the expedition dates starting 14 May 1804 and ending 25 September 1806. They aired only on weekdays with four introductory vignettes and four episodes about events after the expedition. They are narrated by Hal Hansen, scripted by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson, and produced by Leni Holliman.