Near Bozeman in Gallatin County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

The Bozeman Trail

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

1. The Bozeman Trail Marker

close up; showing text

Inscription. On July 14, 1806 Captain William Clark accompanied by 11 members of the expedition party camped about a mile east of here on the flat at the mouth of Kelly Canyon. The next day, Sacajawea guided the party up the canyon on an old buffalo trail to a pass at the summit of the Gallitan Range. In 1863, after failing to open the Bozeman Trail, John Bozeman and a small party on horseback traveled west over this pass when they returned to Montana. The men in the party named the pass for Bozeman. The pass became the route of the Bozeman Trail when it was opened in 1864. Most Bridger Trail travelers went through Bridger pass several miles to the north.

From Bozeman Pass, the Bozeman Trail crossed the head of Moffit Canyon to Kelly Canyon. The trail descended Kelly Canyon and entered the Gallitan Valley at the site of Fort Ellis. As they approached the town of Bozeman diarist enthusiastically recorded seeing the first fences, plowed fields and cabins since leaving the eastern settlements. Today the lower three miles of Kelly Canyon Road follows the historic Bozeman Trail as it winds its way down from the summit to the Gallitan Valley.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Roads & Vehicles

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• Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 14, 1806.

Location. 45° 40.117′ N, 110° 58.529′ W. Marker is near Bozeman, Montana, in Gallatin County. Marker is on Frontage Road (State Highway 191), on the left when traveling east. Marker is on the north side of Frontage Road, just east of Fort Ellis Road, adjacent to the Fort Ellis marker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 33179 Frontage Rd, Bozeman MT 59715, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fort Ellis (here, next to this marker); Lindley Park (approx. 2½ miles away); Peterson House (approx. 2.7 miles away); Lindsay Fruit Company (approx. 2.7 miles away); Apollo J. Busch House (approx. 2.8 miles away); Misco Grain Elevator (approx. 2.8 miles away); Lindley Place Historic District (approx. 2.8 miles away); Electric Block (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bozeman.

Additional keywords. Lewis & Clark Expedition

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

2. The Bozeman Trail Marker

the marker, as seen from the Frontage Road. Fort Ellis marker is just to the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2017. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 596 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 29, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.