Missouri River Headwaters in Dillon, MT

Trail Guide & Points of Interest

Sacajawea Memorial Area Honoring a Heroine

Inscription (right marker) There were many heroes in this band of intrepid explorers, there was but one heroine. Denied in life and after that recognition which was due her, it is fitting that we meet here today to dedicate this spot in honor of that heroine." R.F. Hammat, assistant Regional Forester, 1932 During the Centennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1903-1909), little-known Sacajawea became an national heroine. Activists for women's rights especially embraced Sacajawea as a symbol of the importance of women in American History. Writers and artists were inspired, celebrating Sacajawea in books, paintings, statues, and pageants. This Memorial Area is one of the many places in her honor. Laura Tolman Scott and the D.A.R. Establishing Sacajawea Memorial Area at Lemhi Pass was the dream of Laura Tolman Scott, of Armstead, Montana. Mrs. Scott joined the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) in 1907. A national women's service organization founded in 1897, the D.A.R. seeks to preserve American history. Mrs. Scott became a D.A.R. leader. Many historical sites locally and in the Pacific Northwest are preserved through her efforts. Working with citizens of Beayerhead County, Montana and Lemhi County, Idaho Mrs. Scott campaigned many years for this special memorial to Sacajawea. It was one of Mrs. Scott's most cherished places. "Though the pathfinders die, the paths remain open." - Laura Tolman Scott Inscription (left marker) There are many stories about the young Indian woman who accompanied the Lewis and Clark Expedition. As time goes on, Sacajawea continues to inspire our admiration and curiosity. People delight in the stories of Sacajawea. These stories continue to be retold in many ways, generation after her passing. This special memorial area was created in 1932, honoring Sacajawea as an interpreter, guide and counselor to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Interpreter At Camp Fortunate, Sacajawea was a vital link between the Expedition and the Shoshone Indians as they traded for horses and learned about the road ahead. Guide & Counselor In southwestern Montana, Sacajawea pointed out important landmarks for Lewis and Clark. Throughout the Expedition, she shared her knowledge of native plants as food and medicine. Credit to: <a href="https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=109480" target="" rel="">https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=109480</a> , <a href="https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=109482">https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=109482</a>

The Beginning of the "Endless Missouri"

Inscription "two miles below McNeal had exultingly stood with a foot of each side of this little rivulet and thanked his god that he had lived to bestride the mighty & heretofore deemed endless Missouri." - Meriwether Lewis, August 12, 1805 Hugh McNeal stood over Trail Creek, about two and a half miles downstream from here. This little stream is just one of hundreds of small tributaries that flow into the Missouri River. After many months of laboring to pole, paddle, and drag the heavy boats of the Lewis and Clark Expedition upstream against strong currents of the Missouri, McNeal was finally able to straddle that great river near here. Have you traveled a long way to reach the beginnings of the Missouri River." You are invited to "bestride" the Mighty Missouri. PLEASE STAY ON THE ROCKS! Protect the plants along the streambanks. Credit to: <a href="https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=109500">https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=109500</a>

"Most Distant Fountain" of the Mighty Missouri

Inscription "the road took us to the most distant fountain of the waters of the mighty Missouri in surch (sic) of which we have spent so many toilsome days and wristless (sic) nights." - Meriwether Lewis, August 12, 1805 In 1921, historians named this spring "Most Distant Fountain," identifying it as the source of water Meriwether Lewis referred to in his journal. Lewis described water "issuing from the base of a low hill" about 1/2 mile below Lemhi Pass. Was Lewis writing about this spring? We may never really know. Water from rain and snowmelt seeps into the ground until it meets a solid layer of rock or clay. It pools above these impermeable layers, forming an aquifer. Influenced by gravity, water in an aquifer flows back out to the surface, if it can find a path. It often follows fault lines or factories underground. When water reaches the surface, it appears as a spring. Credit to: <a href="https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=109480" title="Link: https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=109480">https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=109480</a>

Missouri River Headwaters

iNaturalist Observations