Smoking Place

Smoking Place. "...those indians are most admirable pilots...". Aided by six Nimiipuu (sic) (Nez Perce) guides, the Lewis and Clark Expedition moved quickly across the Lolo Trail in June, 1806. Even though the snow was nearly seven feet deep on most to the trail, the party was able to find their way. , Smoking Place is an important part of the mountain route to the Nimigpuu. The mountains are sacred to the Tittokan (Indian people) They have always been places to pray, reflect and feel closer to the Creator. The request to stop and smoke a pipe with Lewis and Clark showed the significance of this "ellevated point." , In September 2001, this Nimigpuu sacred site was desecrated by the removal of three rock cairns. A Nimigpuu man said, "My grandfather used to pray for the mountains." Today we need to continue to protect them. , Capt. William Clark, June 27, 1806 , "...Short of the encampment we halted by the request of the Guides a few minits on an ellevated point and Smoked a pipe on this eminance the nativs have raised a conic mound of Stons of 6 to 8 feet high and erected a pine pole of 15 feet long... from this place we has an extencive view of these Stupendeous Montains principally Covered with Snow like that on which we Stood; we were entirely Serounded by those mountains from which to one unacquainted with them it would have Seemed impossible ever to have escaped, in short without the assistance of our guides, I doubt much whether we who had once passed them could find our way to Travellers rest... , those indians are most admirable pilots; we find the road where the Snow has disappeared tho' it be only for a few paces. after having Smoked the pipe and Contemplating this Scene Sufficient to have dampened the Spirits of any except Such hardy travellers as we have become, we continued our march..."