These were the footsteps of Lewis and Clark. They passed close by, across the Bitterroot and along the Clearwater.

A tired group of about 30 men entered the Bitterroot in early September, 1805. Already they had spent one winter in camp, in what would be Dakota Territory. Their moccasins were worn thin. Several pairs of moccasins had been eaten by hungry dogs at an Indian camp just a few days before.

Their food was a scant supply of parched corn. They shot four grouse the first day. After that they failed to find an game. On the divide, they faced freezing temperatures and a heavy September snowfall. The cold, miserable, and hungry men killed a colt for food, but some men were squeamish and did not eat. Later, hunger was worse. When they managed to kill a wolf and a stray Indian horse, all squeamishness was gone. This meat was gratefully consumed.

They were half starved, and many were sick when they finally reached the Weippe Prairer above the site of Orofino. They were glad to find Indian encampments with provisions of camas bread and dried salmon. They were glad, too, for more open country and relief from the cold.

Along the highway to Orofino is the Lewis and Clark State Park. It is located on the Clearwater, just across from Ahsahka and the mouth of the North Fork. This is the "Canoe Camp," where the explorers stopped from September 26 to October 7, 1805. Here they built dug-out canoes for their continued journey. A marker is set at the site of the camp. A second marker, half a mile down stream, shows the place where they cached ammunition and pack saddles for their trip.

With the canoes to speed their way, but not yet without difficulties, they then journeyed down the Clearwater, Snake, and Columbia. Their winter camp was near the seacoast in the vicinity of Astoria, Oregon.

On the return, in 1806, the party followed the Indian trail which left the Columbia at the mouth of the Walla Walla River. They passed the sites of Waitsburg and Dayton, Washington, and thus reached the Snake and Clearwater, camping on May 5 at the mouth of the Potlatch.

When on passes the spot where Potlatch meets the Clearwater along highway 42 between Lewiston and Kendrick, it is interesting to speculate that there -- just on that grassy bench across the narrow stream -- is the place where they rested. They were met by Indians who wanted medical care, for Captain Clark had established a name with them as a medicine man and healer. Obligingly he opened an abscess on a woman's back and for several hours administered potions, powders, and eye-water.

In reaching camp, they forded the Potlatch, still flush with melted snows. Very likely they drank from its water. They may have been told, or instinctively could have known of green forests above Hardly could they have pictured its upper basin, however, with its many green meadows. These sights were for other eyes, many years later.