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Lewis and Clark Back Country Byway
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 East of Tendoy off Highway 28
Open late spring to early fall
National Forest, 208-756-5100
BLM, 208-756-5400
Narrow road, not suitable for trailers
FEE: None
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Lewis and Clark Kiosk
Sacagawea Memorial Camp
Sacagawea Stone Monument
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Copper Queen Mine
Hike to First Camp site in Idaho
Laura Scott Wild Flower Trail
Sacajawea Interpretive Center
Lost Trail Pass
Lolo Trail Pass
Charcoal kilns
Gilmore ghost town
Yankee Fork Scenic Byway
Lewis &Clark Historical State Park, Montana
Big Hole National battle field, Montana
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Sacajawea Memorial Camp
Agency Spring Campground
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Description of Back Country Byway
The Lewis and Clark Back Country Byway starts at Tendoy, 20 miles south of Salmon on Highway 28. After leaving Highway 28 at Tendoy, travel east a short distance to an T intersection. The signs will indicate to turn to the left. Follow the signs. You will eventually be directed to the Lewis and Clark Information Kiosk. From the Kiosk, the road continues east into the hills, The gravel road ascends to the ridge and then turns south to Lemhi Pass. Nearby is the Sacajawea Memorial Camp, a nice area to stop and rest. The remainder of the byway turns west from Lemhi pass returning to the point of origin. The gravel road is good, but narrow and steep in places. It is not suitable for trailers.
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Introduction to Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark expedition, known as the Corp of Discovery, lasted from May 1804 to September 1806. The four weeks from August 10, 1805 to September 4, 1805, were spent in Eastern Idaho. During this short period of time they were able to acquire the horses that were so critical to finish the passage over the rugged rocky mountain range before winter set in. This is also the birth place of Sacagawea, native Indian guide and interpreter, and where she was reunited with her family and people.
Background
President Thomas Jefferson acquired the Louisiana Territory from France in April 1803. Shortly thereafter, Congress approved a plan to send an expedition to explore the territory which had doubled the size of the United States. President Jefferson appointed his 28 year old personal secretary, Captain Meriwhether Lewis to head the company. Lewis selected his friend and former military leader, William Cark, as his second in command.
Departing Wood River, Illinois in May 1804, the expedition traveled up the Missouri River. During their first winter camp, they encountered and then employed the services of a French fur trapper, Troussaint Charbonneau, and his indian wife, Sacagawea, to guide them to the headwaters of the Missouri River. They would also translate for the Corp.
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The Corps of Discovery faced many perils as the approached Idaho. With provisions dwindling and winter fast approaching, the party was anxious to cross the continental divide to begin their descent to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis, with three men, led an advance party over the continental divide at Lemhi Pass on August 10, 1805, and encountered a small party of Lemhi Shoshoni. Convincing the Shoshoni that the small party posed no threat to their well being. The indians agreed to accompany Lewis' party back over the pass and to assist the main party still on the Eastern flanks of the continental divide.
There was great rejoicing when the advanced party returned back over the divide and met up with the main group. The Shoshoni were willing to sell the Corp horses and provide critical information about the western slope of the divide. To everyone’s surprise, the indian women returning with Lewis recognized Sacagawea. Even more surprising was the fact that chief of the Shoshoni turned out to be Sacagawea’s brother. Even though the hungry indians were anxious to move east to hunt buffalo, they paused to help the Corp get over the continental divide to the home of the Limhi in Eastern Idaho.
Once across the divide and into Idaho, Clark led a reconnaissance party to explore the feasibility of navigating the Salmon River to the Columbia River. They were disappointed to learn that the Salmon River was much to swift and rugged for their flimsy canoes. The party made a critical decision changing the course of the expedition and opted for a somewhat less hazardous, but equally difficult dry-land route. So they headed north, up the North Fork of the Salmon River, over Lost Trail pass, back into Montana on September 4, 1805. Further north they crossed the Idaho Panhandle over the rugged Lolo Pass, finally reaching the Pacific Ocean via the Columbia River in November.
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The Corp of Discover did not return to Eastern Idaho on the way back east in 1806. They did come close to Lost Trail Pass and Lemhi pass but were on the Montana side of the mountains.
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IMAGE GALLERY, (Click for Enlargement)
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