Lewis and Clark Pass

Lewis and Clark Pass is a mountain pass on the continental divide in Montana, United States, at an elevation of 6,424 feet (1,958 m) above sea level. The pass lies at the head of the drainages of the west-flowing Blackfoot River and the east-flowing Dearborn River, in the Helena National Forest in Lewis and Clark County. The Continental Divide Trail traverses north and south through the pass.^[2]

In the early 19th century, the pass was a heavily-used pathway where native peoples crossed over the continental divide. The pass was crossed by Meriwether Lewis with a party of nine men and his dog Seaman on July 7, 1806, on the return leg of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The pass is named for the expedition's two leaders, Lewis and William Clark.

Lewis and Clark Pass is the only roadless mountain pass on the entire Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. It has gone from being one of the most used continental divide passes prior to the pioneer era to one of the least visited passes today. It can be accessed by a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) trail. Modern visitors encounter the pass much as Lewis did in 1806. The furrows left by the countless dog and horse travois that crossed the pass are still visible (though fading), and it is one of the few places along the expedition's route where visitors may still encounter a grizzly bear. On a clear day, visitors to the pass can see Square Butte in Cascade County, Montana, 40 miles (64 km) to the northeast.