Near Three Forks in Gallatin County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Colter’s Run
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016
1. Colter’s Run Marker
Inscription.
Colter’s Run. . One of Montana’s most amazing historical events occurred near here in 1809. In September of that year, John Colter and John Potts, former Lewis and Clark Expedition members, were trapping beaver on the Jefferson River near the headwaters when a band of Blackfeet Indians captured Colter and killed Potts. The Blackfeet gave Colter a chance to escape and provide themselves with a little entertainment. They stripped him, gave him a head start, and ordered him to run across the prickly pear cactus- covered flat east of the river. With the Indians hot on his heels, Colter undoubtedly made an all-time record that day for both sprints and long distance events. He outran the Indians over a six mile course and gained the cover of timber along the Madison River. Once in the stream he may have hidden either under a driftwood jam or in a beaver lodge. The hide-out saved him from the disappointed and mystified Indians. When night came Colter left his refuge and headed east, naked and weaponless. Over a week later, he reappeared, sunburned, emaciated, and with swollen feet, at the Missouri Fur Company trading post, Fort Raymond, at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Big Horn Rivers, more than 200 miles east of here. Colter’s Run has inspired novels and motion pictures. Local businesses sponsor an annual Colter-inspired marathon run without nudity and the prospect of being killed by the Blackfeet.
One of Montana’s most amazing historical events occurred near here in 1809. In
September of that year, John Colter and John Potts, former Lewis and Clark Expedition
members, were trapping beaver on the Jefferson River near the headwaters when a
band of Blackfeet Indians captured Colter and killed Potts. The Blackfeet gave Colter
a chance to escape and provide themselves with a little entertainment. They stripped
him, gave him a head start, and ordered him to run across the prickly pear cactus-
covered flat east of the river. With the Indians hot on his heels, Colter undoubtedly
made an all-time record that day for both sprints and long distance events.
He outran the Indians over a six mile course and gained the cover of timber along
the Madison River. Once in the stream he may have hidden either under a driftwood
jam or in a beaver lodge. The hide-out saved him from the disappointed and mystified
Indians. When night came Colter left his refuge and headed east, naked and weaponless.
Over a week later, he reappeared, sunburned, emaciated, and with swollen feet, at the
Missouri Fur Company trading post, Fort Raymond, at the confluence of the Yellowstone
and Big Horn Rivers, more than 200 miles east of here. Colter’s Run has inspired novels
and motion pictures. Local businesses sponsor an annual Colter-inspired marathon
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run
without nudity and the prospect of being killed by the Blackfeet.
Location. 45° 55.206′ N, 111° 29.946′ W. Marker is near Three Forks, Montana, in Gallatin County. Marker is on Trident Road (State Highway 296), on the right when traveling north. Marker is in parking lot of the access to the Headwaters of the Missouri picnic area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1585 Trident Road, Three Forks MT 59752, United States of America. Touch for directions.
marker can be seen at a distance; the headwaters of the Missouri is in the tree line to the west, beyond the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,120 times since then and 191 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 1, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.