NumBum - LEWIS and CLARK

LEWIS & CLARK

Hard to believe that two hundred years ago LEWIS & CLARK traveled through what is now Montana and recorded their epic adventure. It is still possible to travel this same area and capture many of the same emotions that the explorers felt. Montana is still a land of deep forests, rushing rivers and soaring mountains. This land is rich in history. The history of the native peoples and those who followed Lewis and Clark lives here in a near timeless way. This adventure is conducted by those of us who call this land home and are passionate about this land. The trip is all inclusive. We take care of everything and all you do is go along and soak in the experience. The trip is balanced with adventure, history and cultural exchange. If you only have ten days and want to experience the central area of Lewis and Clarks epic adventure, then come with us. You are guided through the first part of the trip by local historian Scott Morton and the second half by members of the Salish Kootney Tribe. One of my favorite stories when I was growing up concerned a member of that tribe. The Salish Kootney were always at war with the Blackfeet from east of the mountains. The Blackfeet controlled the sacred road to the buffalo. A young warrior decided to on a spirit quest. He traveled east from the Flathead Valley through enemy territory to a mountain overlooking the Great Plains. There, it is said, he ascended the mountain dragging the skull of a bull buffalo. Once on the summit he prayed and chanted to the Great Spirit for guidance. At night he used the buffalo skull for a pillow. Finally a vision came and slowly the young warrior returned to his people. He told them what he had seen. He saw the end of the greatness of the Blackfoot Tribe with the coming of a new tribe. He foresaw the passing of the great buffalo herds. He told that in the final hour the buffalo would be saved by their tribe. In the late 19th century during one of the initial surveys of Montana, a man named Grinnell stumbled upon the worn and desiccated buffalo skull on the summit of a mountain now known as Chief Mountain. This was after the Blackfeet had been decimated by the introduction of smallpox into their tribe and before the buffalo was saved from extinction at the National Bison Range in the Flathead Valley. Group size is four adults for our Lewis and Clark adventure. Larger groups upon consideration.

Day one; Arrive Missoula, Montana and transfer to your hotel. Over dinner Mr. Morton will brief you on the coming itinerary.

Day two; Away early as there is much to see and do. A short drive leads to Lolo Pass and the ancient trail through the mountains. I was here that Lewis and Clark finally found their path to the Pacific.

Day three; Chief Joseph Battlefield and the Lewis and Clark trail.

Day four; Hike and picnic deep in the Bitterroot Mountains.

Day five; Rafting on the Flathead River.

Day six; Horseback riding on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Day seven; Flat water paddling (ocean kayaking) on Flathead Lake. The evenings of days five, six and seven are spent learning about the indigenous culture, their language and their rituals.

Day eight; Full day tour of Glacier National Park including Going To The Sun Road.

Day nine; Tour of the National Bison Range with magnificent views of the Mission Mountains in the morning returning to Missoula in the afternoon. Farewell dinner. Day ten; Transfer to airport and begin journey home.

Click here to download a pdf version of the contract.