ExplorationJuly 19
Location: Helena, Lewis and Clark County
On July 19, 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition navigated through a dramatic canyon on the Missouri River, which Captain Meriwether Lewis famously named the 'Gates of the Rocky Mountains.' This awe-inspiring passage, characterized by towering limestone cliffs, marked a significant moment in their journey. Lewis described the scene in his journal, noting the 'most remarkable clifts' they had yet encountered. This natural wonder, located north of present-day Helena, served as a crucial landmark and a testament to the challenging yet magnificent landscapes the Corps of Discovery traversed in their exploration of the American West.
Lewis and ClarkexplorationMissouri Rivergeography