Salem near Great Falls in Cascade County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Avenue to the Plains
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 21, 2026
1. Avenue to the Plains Marker
I employed them in taking five of the small canoes up the creek which we now call portage creek about 1 3/4 miles; here I had them lyed in the sun to dry. We found much difficulty in getting the canoes up this creek to this distance in consequence of the rappids and rocks which obstruct the channel of the creek; one of the canoes overset and was very near injuring two men." M. Lewis , June 17, 1805
Erected by Portage Route Chapter, Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance (formerly Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation).
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 17, 1805.
Location. 47° 34.847′ N, 111° 2.44′ W. Marker is near Great Falls, Montana, in Cascade County. It is in Salem. It is on Salem Roat near Highwood Road, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located at the Lewis and Clark Expedition,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically entral Montana in Russell Country. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Portaging the Great Falls (within shouting distance of this marker); The Staging Area (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lewis and Clark Expedition (within shouting distance of this marker); Deciding the Best Route (within shouting distance of this marker); Keen Observers of Nature (within shouting distance of this marker); A Modern, Well-Armed Unit (within shouting distance of this marker); Flowing Free for Miles
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 21, 2026
2. Avenue to the Plains Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 21, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
