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Journal entry · August 2, 1805

Jefferson River ascending toward divide — Joseph Whitehouse: August 2, 1805

Joseph Whitehouse · Jefferson River ascending toward divide · Thwaites Vol. Thwaites Vol 7

The place today: Jefferson River ascending toward divide

a fine pleasant morning. we Set out eairly and proceeded
on the River is now Small crooked Shallow and rapid.
passed bottoms of cotton timber &c. Saw abundance of beaver
Sign, trees a foot over which had newly been cut down. Saw
a pond which was made by the beaver damming up the water
as in ma[n]y places. passed a high bank in which was a vil-
lage of what is called bank Swallows. high hills a little back
from the River on each Side of the River. considerable of
pine on them, & covered with Short grass. I have a pain in
my Shoulder. we proceeded on passed large beautiful bottom
prarie on each Side, & bottoms of timber. Saw a nomber of
old Indian Camps. the beaver houses are verry pleanty &
ponds where they resort. the day warm. we proceeded on
passed a nomber of Islands and bottoms. the River Shallow
and rapid. passed Smoth praries &c. Saw 2 grey Eagles
which had nests on the top of dry trees. Came 1434 miles
this day & Camped on a Smoth plain on L. Side. Saw a gang
of Elk back under the hills. the country back from the River
is broken & Mountainous.

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The NPS atlas for this night

inter-channel area of 1805 Jefferson River area near Whitehall, MT

NPS campsite reconstruction (Bergantino)

From the NPS Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Park Atlas, mirrored here on September 21, 2026. This copy is not authoritative; NPS remains the system of record. About the mirror

Nearest 360° imagery: Missouri Headwaters to Three Forks Junction Terrain360’s closest capture is about 28 miles from this entry’s tagged location.
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