Lewis and Clark
Interpretive Tours
| |
|
|
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Tours |
|
|
|
|||
|
|||
North Central Idaho contains
the greatest concentration of Lewis & Clarks sites in the nation,
and the expedition's route runs directly past the front door of the Flying
B Lodge. Here at Treaty Council Camp, Captain Meriwether Lewis struck
the first treaty between the United States government and the Nez Perce
people. The Nez Perce set up a special tipi for the captains at the site.
The chief of the village, whom Lewis called Broken Arm, greeted the Corps
with a fifteen-star American flag flying from a tall staff in front of
his 150-foot long lodge. Today you can stand on the site of Broken Arm's
lodge and experience this historical event. You can follow the Corp's
path a short distance to the Clearwater River and listen to tales of their
stay at Long Camp, the third longest stay of the entire expedition as
they waited nearly a month for the snows to melt from the Lolo Trail across
the Bitterroot Mountains. The Flying B Ranch, the Kamiah Valley, Clearwater
Country, Lolo Trail: North Central Idaho is Lewis & Clark Country
at its undisturbed best. |
Half-Day Interpretive Tours |
|
|
Lewis and Clark:
Here's your chance for a short primer on Lewis & Clark and their interactions with the Nez Perce Indians, along with interpretive stops at significant Corps of Discovery sites. We'll begin with the expedition's route to the Flying B Lodge, follow the explorers a mile down Lawyer's Creek to the site of Broken Arm's village and the treaty council conducted in May of 1806 between Meriwether Lewis and four Nez Perce chiefs. Our next stop is on the banks of the Clearwater River opposite Camp Chopunnish, also known as Long Camp. Interpretation and journal reading at this location address a host of fascinating tales, from medical treatments to trade, horse gelding to William Clark's Nez Perce son. You'll learn the Nez Perce genesis story at The Heart of the Monster, a sacred site on the nearby Nez Perce National Historic Park. As time permits, we can journey as well to Twisted Hair's fishing island, China Island, and Canoe Camp, all Corps of Discovery locations on the 1805 journey to the sea. Combine a half-day Lewis and Clark interpretive tour with a half-day Ranch Activities on any of our packaged retreats. |
One-Day Interpretive Tours |
| Trails
and Tales Our Trails and Tales tour begins in the Kamiah Valley with visits to Treaty Council Camp and Camp Chopunnish, then follows the Corps' route to the base of the Bitterroot Mountains. At interpretive stops at Collins Creek, Pheasant Camp, and the Lewis & Clark Grove, you'll learn about the Corps' only retreat during their 2 1/2 year expedition - and enjoy a delicious lunch by Lolo Creek where the Corps passed four times! Here also plays out the drama of the end of the Bitterroot Crossing the previous year, the Nez Perce guide story, and other significant elements of the Lewis & Clark experience. |
|
After lunch, you'll use a copy of one of William Clark's maps to locate the historic trail and take a short hike in the footsteps of the expeditionists. Our next stop is the Weippe Prairie, where the exhausted and starving explorers first encountered the Nez Perce people after their arduous trek across mountains. You'll enjoy an interpretive stop at the site of their meeting, and another at the new Weippe Lewis & Clark Discovery Center. Travel on the Gold Rush Scenic Byway will take us back to the Clearwater River and on to Twisted Hair's fishing island, China Island, Rock Dam Creek, and Canoe Camp. We return to the Flying B in time for social hour and dinner. As always, we'll bring along some roots and sinew, flint & steel, Indian hemp, a medal or two, some maps; we're always prepared as together we travel the Lewis & Clark trail. |
|
Two-Day Interpretive Tours |
| North central Idaho is home to three distinct elevations: the lowland valleys, mid-level prairies and mountain peaks and ridges, and hence varying "seasons" at any given time of the year. We take advantage of the wonderful opportunities that result from wildflowers in March to a snowball fight in July. One of our most popular two-day tours is Tracks and Packs. |
|
Tracks and
Packs High in the Bitterroot Mountains lies Ishana Ishkit, the ancient Nez Perce trail to the buffalo. Archeological evidence indicates the route's use by humans for over 6000 years, and segments of this trail today are still over a foot deep. On this route, the Corps of Discovery experienced the most difficult part of their entire expedition, during both their 1805 and 1806 Bitterroot crossing. Our Tracks and Packs tour takes you to the most pristine, primitive and dramatic parts of the entire Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail. You'll travel in a comfortable van and enjoy short walks in the explorers' footsteps on mountain ridge tops affording views of over two hundred miles of surrounding wilderness. We'll ignore the Corps at dinner time and later watch an unforgettable expanse of stars before leaving the campfire and settling into night-time comfort in a roomy tent for two. |
| After fresh quiche and campfire coffee in the morning, we'll explore additional Lewis & Clark sites, then return to the delights of the Flying B Lodge with perhaps time enroute for a walk on a sandy beach or a dip in the crystal clear waters of the Lochsa River. Don't forget your camera! Other two-day tour itineraries available. The two-day tours can stand alone or you can add additional days of activities from our Retreats packages to make a three day (or longer) retreat. Call Client Services at 800-472-1945 for pricing details. |
|
Three-Day Interpretive Tours We also offer unique three-day tours, each guaranteed to delight the most discriminating Clarkie, the name by which Lewis & Clark enthusiasts are known nationally. And if you are not a Clarkie yet, experience this three-day learning adventure and you will likely become one! |
|
This tour originates in Missoula, Montana and follows much of the explorers' 1805 and 1806 routes between Travelers' Rest near Lolo, Montana and Canoe Camp near Orofino, Idaho. On day one, you'll visit such great Corps of Discovery locations as Glade Creek Camp, Colt-killed Creek, and Whitehouse Pond. Like William Clark, you'll dip your finger in Lolo Hot Springs, test the steepness of Wendover Ridge, and walk past an ancient Ponderosa Pine, peeled by Nez Perce Indians before the expedition passed nearby. Afternoon travel follows the beautiful Lochsa River on the edge of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. By dinner time we'll arrive at the Flying B Ranch and dine in the lodge located exactly on the Lewis & Clark trail. |
 |
|
Day two of this special journey follows the Corps from the Kamiah Valley to the Weippe Prairie and on to Canoe Camp, with additional interpretive stops at Pheasant Camp, the Lewis & Clark Grove, and other sites along the way. This tour is similar to the One-Day tour noted above, with a return at dinnertime to the many pleasures of the Flying B. Your third morning focuses on the special sites on and near the Flying B Ranch: Treaty Council Camp, Camp Chopunnish (the third longest stay of the entire expedition), and the sacred ground at The Heart of the Monster, part of the Nez Perce National Historic Park. We'll parallel the Corps on their 1806 eastward trek as we return to Missoula in the afternoon, with time for a walk among ancient cedars or dip in the pristine waters of the Lochsa. You'll long remember this special taste of American history at one of its finest moments. Other two-day tour itineraries available. Call Client Services at 800-472-1945 for details. |
| Meet our Tour Guides: Lin Laughy and Ray Bloom provide Lewis & Clark interpretive services for touring groups from National Geographic, the Smithsonian, the National Trust for the Preservation of Historic Places, Elderhostel, and various historical societies. They will truly help you catch the special spirit of Clearwater Country. |
| Dr.
Linwood Laughy |
Ray Bloom's childhood home straddled the Lewis & Clark Trail near Orofino, Idaho, and his interest in their story grew as he did. A recently retired education administrator, Ray brings 62 years of experience living in the Clearwater Valley to his Corps of Discovery adventures. Ray is also an avid amateur astronomer, one of the most skilled bowhunters in Idaho, and a regular feature of drama productions at Kooskia's Olde Opera House theater. He holds masters degrees in both natural and biological sciences and education, a great combination for his new role as an interpretive guide in the wilds of North Central Idaho. Linwood Laughy is a Lewis & Clark scholar well known for his enthusiasm, extensive field research, and love of teaching and learning. He's considered North Central Idaho home for much of his 61 years, though he also spent 20 years in various parts of rural Alaska. He's pulled green chain in a lumber mill, been a crab fisherman on the Bering Sea, is a successful author and publisher, been attacked by a cougar, and served as a community college president for 56 Yu'pik Eskimo villages. Along the way he picked up masters and doctoral degrees and spent his undergraduate years as a Harvard national scholar. |
(180KB) |
All tours includes: luxury lodging in the Flying B Lodge; all meals and beverages (including cocktails); professional guides; local airport transfers; and any equipment needed. Not included: taxes, pro shop purchases, and gratuity. |
(1.12MB) |
 |
2900
Lawyer Creek Road Kamiah, Idaho 83536-9553 Phone 800-472-1945 Local 208-935-0755 Fax 208-935-0705 info@flyingbranch.com |
 |
