On September 22, 1805, the explorers finally emerged from the mountains near present-day Weippe, Idaho, exhausted and nearly starving. They met the Nez Perce Indians and got dried fish and roots from them. Lewis and Clark set up camp on the banks of the Clearwater River, a branch of the Snake River, which was a branch of the Columbia River. On October 7, they left camp and started down the Clearwater River in their five newly hollowed dugouts they had made. They reached the Snake River on October 10 and the Columbia River on October 16. On November 24, the explorers reached the place where the Columbia River emptied into the Pacific Ocean, completing the expedition (Anderson). Lewis and Clark decided to set up camp south of the Columbia River
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Here, Lewis and Clark decided to part ways in order to explore more of the Louisiana Territory. Lewis and nine men explored the Maria’s River to the north, while Clark and the others headed for the Yellowstone River in the south ("About Lewis & Clark Historic Trail."). On July 3, Lewis and his group left camp, crossing the Continental Divide and descended from the mountains near the Great Falls. He ordered his men to portage the supplies around the waterfalls, while he and three men went off to explore the Maria’s River. The Maria’s River was Blackfeet Indian territory, making it very dangerous. On July 26, eight Blackfeet Indians spotted them. They seemed friendly, and the two groups decided to camp together. Lewis was very precautious, however, and made the men take turns standing guard through the night. Proving Lewis right, one of the Indians snatched a pair of rifles in the morning, leading to the death of two Indians trying to get the weapons away from them. Lewis and his men rode off, covering 120 miles in 24 hours, not sure whether the Blackfeet were chasing them or not. Meanwhile, Clark and his group crossed the Continental Divide on July 8 and descended into the territory of the Crow Indian tribe, known for stealing horses across the Plains. Unsurprisingly, on July 21, Clark and his awoke to find half of their horses gone. Then on August 11, while out hunting, one
Here, Lewis and Clark decided to part ways in order to explore more of the Louisiana Territory. Lewis and nine men explored the Maria’s River to the north, while Clark and the others headed for the Yellowstone River in the south ("About Lewis & Clark Historic Trail."). On July 3, Lewis and his group left camp, crossing the Continental Divide and descended from the mountains near the Great Falls. He ordered his men to portage the supplies around the waterfalls, while he and three men went off to explore the Maria’s River. The Maria’s River was Blackfeet Indian territory, making it very dangerous. On July 26, eight Blackfeet Indians spotted them. They seemed friendly, and the two groups decided to camp together. Lewis was very precautious, however, and made the men take turns standing guard through the night. Proving Lewis right, one of the Indians snatched a pair of rifles in the morning, leading to the death of two Indians trying to get the weapons away from them. Lewis and his men rode off, covering 120 miles in 24 hours, not sure whether the Blackfeet were chasing them or not. Meanwhile, Clark and his group crossed the Continental Divide on July 8 and descended into the territory of the Crow Indian tribe, known for stealing horses across the Plains. Unsurprisingly, on July 21, Clark and his awoke to find half of their horses gone. Then on August 11, while out hunting, one