It was 195 years ago today that the Corps of Discovery descended the hills of Alpowa Creek to reach the Snake. This was after an overland trek from the mouth of the Walla Walla River to avoid the upstream journey on the lower Snake River during spring snow melt. Upon reaching the River, the Corps traveled upstream about 3 miles before finding a suitable spot to make a river crossing with horses, men and supplies. They were anxious to head over the Bitterroot Mountains and back to St Louis, but would be held back by a heavy deep snow pack for almost 3 weeks. Can any of us imagine crossing an ice-cold river while knowing we had only a campfire to warm and dry ourselves? They probably enjoyed their time here with the friendly Nez Perce Indians who helped them so much the previous fall on their journey to the Pacific. Although the landscape has changed, we are seeing some of the same flowers blooming that Lewis and Clark first collected and described. Among them are the Balsamroot and Chokecherry.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 04 May 2001
From the Sea Bird on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, 5/4/2001, National Geographic Sea Bird
- Aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird
- Pacific Northwest
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