"Capts. Lewis and Clark parted here with their parties & proceed on" Sergeant John Ordway, Thursday July 3, 1806

An often overlooked aspect of the Lewis and Clark Expedition is the decision to separate when they left Travelers' Rest on July 3, 1806. This decision was made months earlier during the winter at Fort Clatsop. During that time the captains had determined what they believed to be the shortest route across the continent with Travelers' Rest a crucial point.
By following the network of ancient routes that led to and from Travelers' Rest, the captains and their party were to split again and again - reuniting into new groups as they explored more of present day Montana with an eye toward completing the mission given them by President Jefferson.


Expedition 'Splits" on Their Journey Home

This map shows how the Expedition traveled as they made their way back to St. Louis. The first of many splits occurred when they left Travelers' Rest on July 3, 1806. On August 12, 1806, the two groups reunited near the the (sic) confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers and then proceeded on to St. Louis,

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Show me all markers in:  Lolo, MT  |  Missoula County  |  59847  |  Montana  |  United States of America

Following Formation
Uncovering the Expedition
Travellers Rest
A Crossroads of Culture
The Lolo Trail
Lewis and Clark in Salish Territory
Bitterroot Valley, Homeland of the Selíš
Lewis and Clark on Lolo Creek
Fort Fizzle
Outwitted and Outflanked

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