This is on Highway 12, north of Kamiah.
From the Lewis & Clark journal (May 17, 1806): " The Chopunnish are among the most amiable men we have seen. Their character is placid and gentle, rarely moved to passion, yet not often enlivened by gayety."

Click here for a NPS site about this area

The entry from my book: "1839: Asa Smith was a missionary. He moved to an area in Idaho (near modern Kamiah) in order to learn the Nez Perce language. There he met Nez leader Lawyer, who helped him."

A map of some of the ancient trails and modern highways in the area.

I could not travel along this route because this one lane road was covered in mud or snow.

This is in the small community of Weippe near the Nez Perce reservation in Idaho. Kamiah is in the Clearwater River valley. Weippe isto the east in the mountains on Highway 11.

This is the entry from my book for July 15, 1877: "In the Weippe Prairie east of Weippe, Idaho, the Nez Perce held a council to decide their movements. The army was still trying to force them to move to a reservation. They wished to stay free. Looking Glass said they should go east into Montana and join the crow. Chief Joseph (Hein-mot Too-ya-la kekt) suggested they wait for the army and fight it out in their own lands. Toohoolhoolzote joined Looking Glass in suggesting they move east into Montana. The tribe decided to move."

The elevation here is approximately 3,200 feet.
From the Lewis & Clark journal: "...and at twelve miles distance descended the last of the Rocky mountains [Bitter-root ranges] and reached the level country. A beautiful open plain, partially supplied with pine, now presented itself. He continued for five miles, when he discovered three Indian boys who, on observing the party, ran off and hid themselves in the grass. Captain Clark immediately alighted, and giving his horse and gun to one of the men, went after the boys. He soon relieved their apprehensions, and sent them forward to a village about a mile off, with presents of small pieces of ribbon."

Another marker in Weippe.

"This marker was dedicated in 1957 to commemorate the arrival of the Lewis - Clark expedition at Weippe Prairie, Idaho September 23, 1805. Also to honor the momory of Dr. I.T. Moser who pioneered here in the 1890s and to honor the memory of his daughter Josephine Moser Porter who was born here. This marker is placed as a courtesy to Alice Whitman Chapter of D.A.R Lewiston. Ida. Placed by Estella Moser"

This field full of snow (it is May 18th, 2003) is where Lewis & Clark met the Nez Perce. The Nez Perce (or the Nee-me-poo, as the call themselves) were one of the few tribes who were immediately effected by their expedition. Many tribes barely noticed their passing.

I came back to Kamiah and then took the Lolo Trail (Highway 12) through the mountains into Montana. This is along the path of Lewis & Clark, which was an old Indian trail. I mention them so often because this is going to be big news for the next few years as the bicentennial commemoration continues. Many American Indian people will not see this as a celebration, as it marked the beginning of the end of freedom for the western tribes. While Lewis & Clark may have been friendly to the people they met, their mission (as stated by President Jefferson) was to let the Indians know that they were not the owners of their own lands. The Great White Fathers in the east were their new lords.

This is back on Highway 12, east of Kamiah.

Click here to see the NPS page on this location

The Lochsa River, which follows Highway 12 for much of its route from the Nez Perce reservation to the Lolo Pass, is used by many kayakers and rafters.

This kayaker capsized just seconds after I took this picture. He did an "Eskimo roll" and righted himself a few seconds after that.

From the Lewis & Clark journal: "At an early hour we proceeded along the right side of the Kooskooskee, over steep, rocky points of land, till at the distance of four miles we reached an old Indian fishing-place."

Whitehouse Pond as mentioned in the sign above.

Lolo Trail Crossing area.

It was a bit snowy at the Lolo Pass at 5,233 feet elevation (where Highway 12 passes from Idaho to Montana).

The snow is coming down as I start to drive down the pass into Montana.

The entry from my book for July 24, 1877: "The Nez Perce crossed Lolo Summit on the border between Idaho and Montana."

The first of four pictures to show a large sign just east of the Lolo Pass, in Montana.

...part two...

...part three...

...part four...

Fort Fizzle sign. The white streaks are snow. Unfortunately, the pictures I took of the surrounding landscape did not come out. It was easy to see how the Nez Perce were able to circumvent the soldiers' "fort" here.

More of the Fort Fizzle sign.

The entry from my book for July 27, 1877: "Captain Charles Rawn had built a barricade across the Lolo Canyon, east of Lolo Pass, to block the Nez Perce from passing through the mountains into Montana from Idaho. Rawn talked with the Nez Perce. The Indians promised to pass peacefully through the Bitter Root Valley if the army left them alone. Captain Rawn said he would let them pass only if they left their firearms with him, according to army records. Both parties agreed to meet again the next day. Rawn had five other officers, thirty soldiers, and 150 local volunteers. When the volunteers heard the Nez Perce were willing to travel through the area peacefully, they decided that was the safest thing for everyone. The volunteers slowly abandoned their positions and left."