Lewis Crosses the Continental Divide
Leading a small advance party, Lewis crossed the Continental Divide at Lemhi Pass, marking the boundary between the Louisiana Territory and the Oregon Country. He drank from a spring he considered the most distant source of the Missouri River, fulfilling a long-held personal goal. However, the view westward from the summit revealed range after range of snow-capped mountains rather than a gentle descent to a navigable river. This sight ended hopes for a short portage to the Columbia, dispelling Jefferson's vision of an easy water route to the Pacific.
With a small advance party, Lewis reached the Continental Divide at Lemhi Pass — the boundary between the Louisiana Territory and the Oregon Country. He drank from a spring that was “the most distant fountain of the waters of the Mighty Missouri.”
“Thus far I had accomplished one of those great objects on which my mind has been unalterably fixed for many years. Judge then of the pleasure I felt in allying my thirst with this pure and ice-cold water.”
But the view from the summit shattered any remaining hopes for an easy portage to Pacific waters. Instead of a gentle slope to a navigable river, Lewis saw range after range of snow-capped mountains stretching to the horizon. Jefferson’s dream of a short portage between the Missouri and the Columbia was an illusion.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
With a small advance party, Lewis reached the Continental Divide at Lemhi Pass — the boundary between the Louisiana Territory and the Oregon Country. He drank from a spring that was "the most distant fountain of the waters of the Mighty Missouri."
"Thus far I had accomplished one of those great objects on which my mind has been unalterably fixed for many years. Judge then of the pleasure I felt in allaying my thirst with this pure and ice-cold water."
But the view from the summit shattered any remaining hopes for an easy portage to Pacific waters. Instead of a gentle slope down to a navigable river, Lewis saw range after range of snow-capped mountains stretching to the horizon. Jefferson's dream of a short portage between the Missouri and the Columbia was an illusion.
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