Lewis and Clark Across the Mountains
An Engineer Tracks the Trail
 1997-98 Steve F. Russell. All Rights Reserved

On October 6, 1986, the Nez Perce National Historic Trail (NPNHT) Act, 99th Congress, Public Law 99-445, 100 STAT. 1122, amended the National Trails System Act to create the NPNHT. This is the same trail that Lewis and Clark followed across the Bitterroot Mountains.

The Nez Perce National Historic Trail was dedicated in Packer Meadows at Lolo Pass (Idaho) on Friday, July 19, 1991. This photo shows the lodges set up by some Nez Perce who participated in the ceremony. Herman Reuben, Horace Axtell, and several other tribal elders dressed up splendidly in traditional garb. Herman prayed that all people in the future would enjoy the trail but respect it and protect it. Horace and other tribal elders performed a sacred ceremony for the public which could not be photographed. After the dedication, a small Pow Wow was held.

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