Flight of the Nez Perce through Leadore & Island Park to West Yellowstone

In August 1877 a group of nearly 800 Nez Perce, ranging from infants to elders, traveled a tortuous route through the Idaho and Montana territories.

For two months they evaded pursuing military forces sent to place them on a new reservation.

Then, on August 9, the Nez Perce suffered terrible casualties following a surprise attack on their camp along the Big Hole River in southwest Montana. Carrying their wounded and dying with them, they traveled south through a rugged landscape of windswept sagebrush plains and high mountain valleys as they made their way from Leadore, Idaho to West Yellowstone, Montana.

Today, the entire 1170 mile route of the 1877 Nez Perce flight is commemorated by the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail. Established by Congress in 1986, the trail memorializes those who died during the flight, and those who survived. Their tragic journey marked the end of freedom for the Nez Perce and opened their former lands to settlement.

As you travel this historic trail you will see highway signs marking the official auto route of the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail. Whether you drive, ride, or walk this segment between Leadore and West Yellowstone you will gain an understanding and appreciation for the difficult journey and the tremendous odds the Nez Perce had to face and overcome.

August 13 - Nez Perce cross the Continental Divide at Bannock Pass and set up camp outside Junction. General Howard departs the Big Hole battlefield leaving most of his infantry behind and camps 23 miles south of the battlefield. The remainder of his troops leave the battlefield on August 15 and catch up a few days later.

August 14 - Nez Perce move camp to Gilmore Summit area at the head of Birch Creek. Howard advances 25 miles to Horse Prairie Creek.

August 15 - Nez Perce move south through the Lemhi Valley on Old Mormon Road. Along Birch Creek the warriors encounter a wagon train carrying food and supplies. A fight ensues leaving five members of the wagon train dead and one Nez Perce mortally wounded.

August 16-17 - Nez Perce stop at Hole-in-the-Rock, then cross the wagon road above Dry Creek Station and camp in Camas Meadows west of Shotgun. Howard's troops camp at Red Rock Station and then Junction Station. Lt. Bacon is dispatched to Henry’s Lake via Red Rock to intercept the Nez Perce. Captain Calloway and a group of Montana volunteers join Howard.

August 18 - Nez Perce camp near the junction of Camas and Spring Creek. Captain Norwood joins General Howard, now camped at Dry Creek Station, eight miles below Pleasant Valley on the stage road.

August 19 - Nez Perce camp in an area southeast of Camas Meadows. General Howard reaches Camas Meadows and establishes Camp Calloway.

August 20 - Nez Perce warriors raid Camp Calloway. After staying his assigned 48 hours, Lt. Bacon leaves Henry’s Lake to rejoin Howard.

August 21 - A group of Nez Perce warriors raid Howard's camp and make off with the mule herd. Captain Norwood's command is sent in pursuit and later skirmish with the Nez Perce. The warriors rejoin the main group at the Nez Perce camp in a meadow southwest of Henry’s Lake. Howard moves his troops to Shotgun Creek.

August 22 - Nez Perce cross the Continental Divide at Targhee Pass, enter Montana and descend to the Madison River Valley, where they enter Yellowstone National Park.

August 24 - Howard moves camp to Henry’s Lake at Sawtell Ranch. He then leaves for Virginia City, Montana for supplies and mules.

August 28 - After returning from Virginia City on the 27th, Howard and his men leave Henry’s Lake and proceed to Yellowstone. The Montana volunteers leave Howard's command and head for home.

According to Nez Perce Legend

In the dawn of time, before men lived, animals inhabited the earth and had the characteristics of humans. A monster dwelt in the Kamiah Valley near the forks of the Clearwater River. One day Coyote, a trickster and transformer, discovered that the Monster was eating all the animals. To save the animals, Coyote tricked Monster into swallowing him. While inside his belly, Coyote severed the Monster's heart with his stone knife, killing him. Coyote then carved the Monster into pieces and cast them throughout the land creating the various Indian tribes. But Coyote forgot the area where the monster lived. When reminded of this he sprinkled the land with the blood of the Monster and created the Nimiipuu,(Nee-Me-Poo), "the people," now known as the Nez Perce

Ever since that time the Nez Perce have lived in the valleys watered by the Snake, Clearwater, and Salmon Rivers, existing in a loose federation of small bands, each with a village that occupied a specific place within the tribal territory. They depended on the bounty of their native homeland for survival and thrived on the roots, berries, fish and game the earth and rivers provided. The Nez Perce relationship to this land is one of reverence, not ownership.

"The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it."
— Chief Joseph

This is part of the online edition of Henry's Fork Country.

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