Lewis And Clark’s Journey And It’s Connection To Montana

Everyone has heard of Lewis and Clark.

The dynamic duo that trekked the western part of the United States has several different places named after them, including the Lewis and Clark Caverns here in Montana. Their journey was nothing short of miraculous, especially when you consider the facts that:

1. They had no "official" maps
2. They did the whole journey, start to finish, in about 2 years. 

Of course, the whole expedition was a result of the Louisiana Purchase, which took place in 1803. Thomas Jefferson, who was the President at the time, wanted the new area explored so they could find the most practical route across the area.

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Of course, the two would encounter many hardships during their journey, including a harrowing time in the Bitterroot Mountains that almost killed them.

The story goes that Lewis and Clark, plus their company, faced starvation while in the mountains. With freezing temperatures, the company relied on plant roots and their horses for food to survive. Another interesting tale is the fact that the Company thought grizzly bears to be the size of black bears, so you can imagine their shock when they first encountered the grizzly.

Reports are that when they first came across the massive bears, it took several shots to put the bear down.

The Expedition followed the Missouri River and spent a significant time in Montana. The two would split up while in Big Sky Country, with Lewis taking the Northern route and Clark taking the southern route. They visited the areas that would become Great Falls and Three Forks.

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Once the Expedition was finished, the two returned to the Eastern part of the country and both settled in the St. Louis area. Lewis would be killed by robbers in Tennessee on a trip to Washington, D.C., when he was 35. Clark died in St. Louis at the age of 68.