Lewis & Clark Trail Bicycle Route

The Adventure Cycling Association Lewis & Clark Trail Bicycle Route is divided into multiple route segments/side routes. The route is a total of 3253 miles (5237 km). This route was created to celebrate the anniversary of the Corps of Discovery's 1804-1806 historic journey and offers cyclists the opportunity to follow the path of the explorers Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and their Native American guides. It includes seven map sections detailing the 1804-1805 westbound trip, roughly following the Missouri River and the Columbia River, and one map section showing Clark's 1806 eastbound return along the Yellowstone River.

History

Riders have many opportunities to pause and learn about the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition at interpretive centers and museums that are along the route, in the smallest towns and largest cities. Probably the most impressive of these is the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center in Great Falls, Montana. In addition to Lewis and Clark-themed points of interest, the route also passes through six Indian reservations and features Native American and regional museums.

Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska

The route begins at the Lewis and Clark State Memorial Park visitor center outside Hartford, Illinois. The center is near the mouth of the Wood River, on the opposite side of the Mississippi River from where the Missouri River feeds into it. It was at the mouth of the Wood where the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition spent the winter of late 1803 and early 1804, making final preparations for a spring departure up the Missouri. After crossing the Mississippi River into Missouri, the route joins the Katy Trail. With its smooth surface of crushed limestone, the Katy traverses the floodplain of the Missouri, often running immediately beside the river and just above the water level. Riders can shorten the distance on the Katy by crossing the Missouri and using the Jefferson City Option. Much of the Missouri countryside that was wild frontier when Lewis and Clark passed through has been transformed into densely settled urban and suburban pockets. The Missouri River corridor is a heavily used recreational and industrial strip linking the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas. Kansas's short contribution to the route, by comparison, is more rural, winding amidst rolling grainfields. At Brownville, Nebraska, riders can choose between the Steamboat Trace or the Hamburg Option. The convert|34|mi|km|sing=on Hamburg option is paved, with the exception of a convert|4.5|mi|km|sing=on gravel stretch. Riding conditions in southeastern Nebraska and southwestern Iowa range from rural to urban, the latter particularly around Omaha-Council Bluffs.

Between Council Bluffs, Iowa and Sioux City, Iowa, the riding tends to be either table-flat or very hilly, depending on whether riders are in the Missouri River floodplain or in the flanking Loess Hills. Roads around both of these Iowa cities can be very busy, so they should be avoided during the morning and afternoon commuting hours. West of Yankton, South Dakota, recreational vehicle traffic can be heavy, as it can be around any of the lake or dam access areas (Fort Randall, Chamberlain, Fort Thompson etc.). Near Bonesteel riders have the opportunity to ride closer to the river on the Whetstone Bay Option. This option is convert|25.5|mi|km in length, with convert|14.5|mi|km on a hard-packed dirt and gravel road with no services other than a campground. State Highway 1806 out of Fort Thompson carries less traffic, while dishing up extreme climbs and dramatic vistas. The Missouri River along this part of the Lewis and Clark Trail is less a river than a string of huge reservoirs, peppered with isolated communities and seasonal services. This trend continues into North Dakota and eastern Montana. From Fort Thompson, there are two ways into Pierre, South Dakota, continuing on the main route or following the Lake Sharpe Option. This convert|61|mi|km|sing=on option, on the north side of the Missouri River, goes through the Crow Creek Indian Reservation.

North and South Dakota

North of Pierre, South Dakota the route traverses high, rolling bluff country that is typically some distance away from the river corridor but which occasionally proffers amazing views of the big body of water below. The route through the capital city of Bismarck, North Dakota, has two options: one urban through the heart of the city where services are located and the other on bike paths closer to the river. Riders probably find themselves either praising or cursing the ever-present wind, depending on which way it is blowing in relation to the way direction of travel. Plenty of river and lake access is offered via gravel side roads along State Highway 1804 between Pierre and Williston, North Dakota. Potentially heavy recreational and agricultural traffic on the road is countered by generally good sight distances; services are few and far between, a situation also found in Montana.

Montana

Initially in Montana, especially if there are headwinds, the riding might be characterized as "put your head down and grin and bear it" conditions. But after the route turns south at Nashua and continues to Fort Peck, the riding and the scenery vastly improve. Riders don't actually lay eyes on the Missouri River for some convert|300|mi|km, between Fort Peck and Fort Benton. In compensation, riders will experience some the most spectacular mountain-and-plains vistas in North America. From Fort Peck to the junction with State Highway 200, the route goes through rolling badland hills. After turning west onto State Highway 200, the wind will be a concern; it can affect bike steering and make it hard, or even impossible, to hear cars approaching from the rear. From Lewistown to Fort Benton, the route goes through the Montana of imagination, an idyllic scene that Charlie Russell, "America's cowboy artist," couldn't have bettered.

South of Great Falls, Montana, the route gets into the canyons and mountains Montana is known for. A dividend of the terrific mountain scenery is that a large share of the lands are federally owned, so campgrounds become much more plentiful than they've been up to this point. At Three Forks, where the Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson rivers merge, the route leaves the Missouri River behind for good. Three miles south of Dillon, riders will again be faced with choosing between two options, both of which include crossing the Continental Divide. Staying on Lewis and Clark's 1804 westbound route summits Lemhi Pass, which includes convert|24.5|mi|km of gravel, while the convert|87|mi|km|sing=on paved Big Hole Option represents Clark's 1806 eastbound journey. The Big Hole Option passes the Big Hole National Battlefield and Visitor Center that tells the tale of the Nez Perce and their flight to freedom. This option follows Clark's 1806 eastbound route over Gibbon's Pass.

The Bitterroot Valley, in western Montana, has become heavily populated in recent years. Traffic increases dramatically on the secondary roads that parallel U.S. Highway 93. At Traveler's Rest - a.k.a. the town of Lolo - the route heads north into Missoula. Here riders can find several bike shops and visit the headquarters of Adventure Cycling Association. Although the site of Missoula was not encountered by Lewis and Clark during the expedition's westbound travels, on the return trip east the nine-man contingent led by Capt. Lewis passed the location of this future city.

Idaho, Washington, and Oregon

Leaving Montana, the route follows U.S. Highway 12 southwest from Lolo to Powell, Idaho, and is roughly tracing the actual route of Lewis and Clark. The main route continues west on its twisting way from Powell through the corridor of the Lochsa Wild and Scenic River. The Lochsa joins forces with the Selway River at Lowell, where the two transform into the Middle Fork of the Clearwater. Lewis and Clark didn't use this river corridor and instead stayed on the mountain ridges to the north along an existing Indian trail.

The convert|145.3|mi|km|sing=on Lolo Trail Option climbs high up along ridgelines to access the rough roller coaster of a dirt road known as the Lolo Trail. Due to the rugged, mountainous terrain and scarcity of services and water, only fit, experienced mountain bikers should attempt this option. Be aware that the Forest Service, anticipating heavy demand, began limiting travel on it in 2003 during the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, by way of a permit system. Cyclists will need a permit. For details, call 208-476-4541 or on the Internet visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/clearwater/LewisClark/LewisClark.htm.

At Kamiah (KAM-ee-eye), the recommended route leaves the Clearwater River and U.S. Highway 12. Alternatively, the River Option continues along U.S. Highway 12 and follows the Clearwater into Lewiston, staying true to Lewis and Clark's actual route. Riders have to contend with a great deal of traffic on this option. The road is narrow, winding, and largely lacking in shoulders. The main route, in contrast, hides a wonderful surprise of low-traffic byways rolling past the forests and through the farmlands of the southern reaches of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. From the main westbound route, there are two choices to cover the last convert|21|mi|km into Clarkston, Washington. The seven-mile (11 km) Lapwai Option parallels U.S. Highway 95 on smaller, lightly traveled roads. It connects with the River Option at the Nez Perce National Historic Park. The convert|22.5|mi|km|sing=on Hell's Gate Option stays on smaller roads and heads down to Hell's Gate State Park on the Snake River at the edge of Lewiston.

West of Clarkston, where the Snake River bends northwest, the trail leaves Lewis and Clark's westbound route, and not join it again until it reaches the Columbia River near Walla Walla, Washington. Much of the bicycle route between these two cities, however, does follow the approximate overland route taken by the Corps in early May 1806. A windy, and potentially very hot ride through the Columbia River Gorge and on to the coast will be a study in contrasts: from stretches of traffic-clogged I-84 to a couple of closed-to-cars sections of the Historic Columbia River Highway, now a state trail, and from the bustle of metropolitan Portland to small, serene communities that barely earn a dot on the map. Via the Washington Option through the gorge, State Route 14 has light traffic, with occasional large trucks and few services. The highway has an intermittent shoulder. A series of five tunnels have buttons to activate "Bikes in Tunnel" lights. This option rejoins the main route in Portland.

U.S. Highway 30, unfortunately, is a busy way to end the trip, but there's a good reason all of those motorists are heading west: to get out to that beautiful coastline. From Astoria, two spurs delineate Lewis and Clark's further explorations. The convert|21.5|mi|km|sing=on Seaside Spur passes Fort Clatsop National Memorial, the Corps' 1805-1806 winter quarters, and continues on to Seaside, where the Corps processed seawater into salt for their return journey. The convert|20|mi|km|sing=on Cape Disappointment Spur crosses the Columbia River into Washington and heads west to Fort Canby State Park.

Returning east

In the spring of 1806, the Corps began their return journey to St. Louis. To cover more area and gather more information, they divided into two parties at Traveler's Rest. Capt. Lewis and nine men returned to the great falls of the Missouri via the Blackfoot River and the Sun River, crossing the Continental Divide at what would later be called Lewis and Clark Pass. This part of the journey is mapped in the convert|187.5|mi|km|sing=on Blackfoot Option east of Missoula. It uses two-lane highways that parallel the Blackfoot and Sun rivers. A convert|13|mi|km|sing=on gravel spur along Alice Creek is shown for those who want to ride/hike up to Lewis and Clark Pass to view what Lewis and his men saw. This option ends in Great Falls, Montana.

Capt. Clark and the rest of the expedition returned to Camp Fortunate (Clark Canyon Reservoir) and then to the Missouri-Yellowstone confluence. This convert|506|mi|km|sing=on journey is reflected in map section 8 beginning in Three Forks, Montana. In general, the route stays on I-90 and the frontage roads that parallel it. Services can be few and far between the farther east the route goes. There is a gentle climb over Bozeman Pass to get into the Yellowstone River drainage. The route is slightly rolling with great views of the Yellowstone River. Between Bozeman and Glendive the route occasionally uses the interstate when there is no frontage road. Riders must use caution when entering and exiting the ramps, as most of them have cattleguards. The interstate does have a wide shoulder and carries light traffic as far as interstates go, but caution is required as the traffic does travel at high speed. Pompey's Pillar, the site where you can see William Clark's signature, is convert|8.5|mi|km north of Worden and a mere half mile off the route. State Highways 16 and 200 have intermittent shoulders and light traffic. This map section ends in Williston, North Dakota.

Route

The main route of the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail is made up of paved roads, bike paths, and unpaved rail-trails, with occasional short sections of gravel roads. Conditions vary from rural to urban.

Lewis and Clark's expedition traveled more often by boat via rivers than by land, and this route follows the rivers as closely as possible. Occasional rough roads, narrow to nonexistent shoulders, and sparse services make this a more challenging route and requires a fat-tired touring bicycle. A water filter is required, as many of the campgrounds available are primitive and do not have potable water sources. Using motels, requires planning ahead and the readiness to ride some long days, perhaps as much as convert|100|mi|km. Distances between services in some areas can be substantial, so prior planning of daily mileage is important.

Options and alternates offer the significant variety. The route covers 4,630 mapped miles (7,454 km). Traveling the most historically correct (main) westbound route over Lemhi Pass, the ride is convert|3254|mi|km to reach the Pacific Ocean. In total, there are convert|174|mi|km of unpaved rail-trail and convert|214|mi|km of gravel, 13 of which are unavoidable if you stay on the route. Some options allow riders to avoid gravel sections or to ride closer to the Missouri River, whereas others offer historical side trips and rarely seen vistas, like the view from Lewis and Clark Pass.

Riding the route

It takes about two and a half months for the most direct routing. Some will traverse the route quicker, but this leaves less time for sightseeing. This route can be ridden from May through September. Note that snow can occur at any time in the Rocky Mountains, and the highest pass on the route is over convert|7300|ft|m. Although the prevailing weather patterns are from west to east, local wind patterns are more dependent on the passing pressure systems and local terrain, so riders can expect a fair share of tailwinds and headwinds, regardless of which direction the route is ridden.

ponsors

In response to all of the interest and activity in the years leading up to the Lewis & Clark expedition bicentennial celebration, the National Council of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial was formed. Working hand in hand with federal and state agencies, Indian tribes, and other groups and individuals, the council coordinated dozens of partners, programs, and events concerned with commemorating the bicentennial. The council recognized the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail map series as part of the nationwide celebration.

Major funding for the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail was provided by REI. Sections of this route have been sponsored by the Sierra Club and Mr. James C. Becker, Vancouver, Washington.

tates on the trail

#Missouri
#Kansas
#Nebraska
#Iowa
#South Dakota
#North Dakota
#Montana
#Idaho
#Washington
#Oregon

ee also

*Bicycle touring

References

Portions of the above text are excerpted from the book "Bicycling the Lewis and Clark Trail", published in spring 2003 by Globe Pequot Press in cooperation with Adventure Cycling Association.

External links

* [http://www.lewisandclark200.org/index.php?cID= National Council of the Lewis & Clark Centennial]