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| The Clearwater River over Lolo Pass |
Because of this, Highway 12,
which ends in neighboring Washington State, is sometimes called the Lewis &Clark Highway. The 175-mile stretch through northcentral Idaho is also known as
the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway. Lolo Pass, toward the eastern end of the
route, is the highest point along the way with an elevation of more than 5,000
feet.
Route Follows Lewis and Clark
Trail
The route is very scenic as
the highway follows the Lochsa and Clearwater rivers the two explorers came
down in 1805 as they traveled from Missouri, seeking out a route to the Pacific
Ocean. The mission was ordered by President Thomas Jefferson who, two years
earlier, had completed the Louisiana Purchase of what is now the western United
States.
Their journey through Idaho
starts about 12 miles south of present-day Missoula, Montana, and ends at
Lewiston, on the border with Washington, where the Clearwater River pours into
the Snake River.
Lewis and Clark took 11 days
to make the trip from the road’s start to Kamiah, where they spent six weeks
building the canoes that would take them westward. Modern travelers can drive
this section in just a few hours. Though the route isn’t very long, it’s filled
with twists and turns that defy high speeds. Indeed, travelers in a hurry to
get from Montana to Washington should stick to Interstate 90 to the north to
cross the Idaho Panhandle.
Highway 12 is close to the
route the two explorers took, but for those who require a more authentic route,
Forest Road 500 is available through the Clearwater National Forest. Because
the unpaved road isn’t in that great of condition, Forest Service officials say
only vehicles which have high clearance should attempt this route. Trailers are
not allowed on it. The sites where the expedition camped are still used by
hike-in campers today.
Indians Were There First
Before Lewis and Clark
arrived on the scene, the trail was used by the Nez Perce Indians. The tribe
called it "Khusahna Ishikit" which translates as “buffalo trail.” The
Nez Perce taught expedition members how to make canoes for the final legs of
their journey. The expedition camped with the tribe for six weeks on their
return journey.
Just over 70 years later, the
trail became famous again, though not for happy reasons. In 1877, Nez Perce
Chief Joseph led his band on a tragic march through Idaho and Montana, almost
to the border with Canada, when he uttered his famous “I will fight no more
forever” speech.
Modern Travelers on the
Highway
Highway 12 through Idaho was
completed in 1960. It is a road is to be traveled at a slow pace to savor the
scenic beauty of the Bitterroot Mountains. Rushing it is not advised because of
the 67 curves on one 99-mile stretch of the road. It is these curves that make
the road a favorite with motorcycle riders.
Motorists should make sure
they have sufficient fuel for the trip, as there are no gas stations Kooskia,
Idaho, and Lolo, Montana.
The Lolo Pass Visitor Center
is open most of the year. In the winter months, it sells parking permits to
cross-country skiers and snowmachiners.
