Roads to the Buffalo

With the acquisition of horses, Native Nations crossing the Rocky Mountains to hunt for bison became more common. Two of their trails are used by the captains—in separate groups—to return to the bison-rich plains.

After crossing the Bitterroot Mountains on what is known today as the Lolo Trail, the expedition divides forces at Travelers’ Rest. Lewis takes one group east and north up the Blackfoot River and then over Lewis and Clark Pass. They return to their old camp above the Great Falls of the Missouri to retrieve supplies and specimens cached there.

From Travelers’ Rest, Clark goes up the Bitterroot River and crosses the Continental Divide at present Gibbons Pass. They cross the Big Hole Valley and return to Fortunate Camp where they had cached tobacco, food, and most of the canoes.

At the Headwaters of the Missouri, Sgt. Ordway‘s detachment paddles the canoes down the Missouri destined for the portage of the Great Falls. Clark’s group–along with all the horses—travel up the Gallatin River valley on their way to the Yellowstone River.

June 1806

1. June 12, 1806 – A New CampLeni HollimanDuration: 2:55
2. June 13, 1806 – Hunting SuccessLeni HollimanDuration: 2:48
3. June 14, 1806 – Preparing for DepartureLeni HollimanDuration: 2:41
4. June 15, 1806 – On the Road AgainLeni HollimanDuration: 2:54
5. June 16, 1806 – Deeper and Deeper SnowLeni HollimanDuration: 3:40
6. June 19, 1806 – A Decision to Turn BackLeni HollimanDuration: 3:46
7. June 20, 1806 – Morale LowLeni HollimanDuration: 3:36
8. June 21, 1806 – Further Retracing Their StepsLeni HollimanDuration: 3:35
9. June 22, 1806 – A Pocket Full of Trade BeadsLeni HollimanDuration: 2:36
10. June 23, 1806 – A Contingency PlanLeni HollimanDuration: 3:13
11. June 26, 1806 – On the Road AgainLeni HollimanDuration: 3:41
12. June 27, 1806 – Stopping for a SmokeLeni HollimanDuration: 3:46
13. June 28, 1806 – Good GrassLeni HollimanDuration: 3:23
14. June 29, 1806 – A Welcome BathLeni HollimanDuration: 3:09
15. June 30, 1806 – Difficulties Going DownhillLeni HollimanDuration: 3:24

July 1806

1. July 3, 1806 – Going Their Own WaysLeni HollimanDuration: 3:16
2. July 4, 1806 – No CelebrationLeni HollimanDuration: 3:35
3. July 5, 1806 – Trouble Crossing the CreeksLeni HollimanDuration: 3:32
4. July 6, 1806 – Sacagawea Knows the CountryLeni HollimanDuration: 3:10
5. July 7, 1806 – Buffalo and ElkLeni HollimanDuration: 3:45
6. July 10, 1806 – Digging Up the CachesLeni HollimanDuration: 3:20
7. July 11, 1806 – Roaring BullsLeni HollimanDuration: 3:29
8. July 12, 1806 – Horses Feared StolenLeni HollimanDuration: 3:18
9. July 13, 1806 – Setting Out for the Great FallsLeni HollimanDuration: 3:32
10. July 14, 1806 – Iron Boat in Good ShapeLeni HollimanDuration: 3:27

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.