Over the Bitterroots

On 11 September 1805, the expedition leaves Travelers’ Rest and follows a trail high above Lolo Creek in Montana. After passing some hot springs, they follow a trail to the Bitterroot divide at Packer Meadows.

They briefly follow the Lochsa River, but due to its steep canyons, they must climb to the ridges high above. It then commences snowing and there is virtually no game to be had. At one point, Clark writes “I have been wet and as cold in every part as I ever was in my life”.

The travelers subsist on portable soup, tallow melted from candles, and their own precious horses. Clark and a small party scout ahead eventually reaching two Nez Perce villages at Weippe Prairie. They are welcomed and given food, much of which is sent back to Lewis with the main party.

The expedition moves down to the Clearwater River where a camp is established to build canoes. Unfortunately, most of the men are too sick to help.

September 1805

1. Sept 12, 1805 – Farewell to Traveler's RestLeni HollimanDuration: 3:18
2. Sept 13, 1805 – Pausing at a Hot SpringsLeni HollimanDuration: 3:45
3. Sept 14, 1805 – Killing a ColtLeni HollimanDuration: 2:57
4. Sept 15, 1805 – The Lochsa MistakeLeni HollimanDuration: 3:32
5. Sept 16, 1805 – And Then it Began to SnowLeni HollimanDuration: 3:22
6. Sept 19, 1805 – A Glimmer of HopeLeni HollimanDuration: 3:48
7. Sept 20, 1805 – The Nez PerceLeni HollimanDuration: 3:59
8. Sept 21, 1805 – Still SeparatedLeni HollimanDuration: 3:25
9. Sept 22, 1805 – Two Different PerspectivesLeni HollimanDuration: 3:51
10. Sept 23, 1805 – Getting Ready to LeaveLeni HollimanDuration: 2:58
11. Sept 26, 1805 – Setting Up Canoe CampLeni HollimanDuration: 2:51
12. Sept 27, 1805 – Canoe Building Begins, Sort OfLeni HollimanDuration: 2:40
13. Sept 28, 1805 – Ten Days LeftLeni HollimanDuration: 3:52
14. Sept 29, 1805 – Progress Remains SlowLeni HollimanDuration: 2:40
15. Sept 30, 1805 – The Worst is OverLeni HollimanDuration: 3:46

October 1805

1. Oct 3, 1805 – Nothing but Fish & a HorseLeni HollimanDuration: 2:45
2. Oct 4, 1805 – A Displeased IndianLeni HollimanDuration: 2:24
3. Oct 5, 1805 – A Horse BrandingLeni HollimanDuration: 2:51
4. Oct 6, 1805 – Another CacheLeni HollimanDuration: 2:39
5. Oct 7, 1805 – Down the ClearwaterLeni HollimanDuration: 2:41
6. Oct 10, 1805 – Clearwater and Snake RiversLeni HollimanDuration: 2:58
7. Oct 11, 1805 – A Sweat LodgeLeni HollimanDuration: 2:51
8. Oct 12, 1805 – A Warning of Bad RapidsLeni HollimanDuration: 2:45
9. Oct 13, 1805 – All Canoes Pass SafelyLeni HollimanDuration: 2:47
10. Oct 14, 1805 – A Canoe WreckLeni HollimanDuration: 2:52
11. Oct 17, 1805 – The Snake Meets the ColumbiaLeni HollimanDuration: 3:57

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.