Challis in Custer County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Michel Bourdon

Photographed by Chris English, September 26, 2012

1. Michel Bourdon Marker

Inscription. This Valley was discovered in 1822 by an expedition of Hudson's Bay Company trappers led by Michel Bourdon. Bourdon had come to the Northwest with David Thompson, who had started the Idaho fur trade in 1808-9. Trappers searched everywhere for beaver, and were active south of here four years before Bourdon took them farther into this mountain wilderness. Fur hunting went on for another decade in these parts before the country was about trapped out and abandoned by the fur traders.

Erected by Idaho Historical Society and Idaho Transportation Department. (Marker Number 303.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Exploration • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1822.

Location. 44° 29.241′ N, 114° 13.065′ W. Marker is in Challis, Idaho, in Custer County. It is on U.S. 93 at milepost 245.3, 0.9 miles north of Idaho 75 Scenic (Idaho Highway 75), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Challis ID 83226, United

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States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Idaho — Sawtooth Range.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bison Jump (approx. 1.1 miles away); Land of the Yankee Fork Historic Area (approx. 1.3 miles away); Challis (approx. 1.3 miles away); Parting of the Ways (approx. 5.2 miles away); Corkscrew Grade (approx. 6½ miles away).

More about this marker. Great view of the Challis Valley from this spot.

View E from Michel Bourdon Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris English, September 26, 2012

2. View E from Michel Bourdon Marker

The Challis Valley

View S from the Michel Bourdon Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris English, September 26, 2012

3. View S from the Michel Bourdon Marker

U.S. Route 93

View W from Michel Bourdon Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris English, September 26, 2012

4. View W from Michel Bourdon Marker

View N from the Michel Bourdon Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris English, September 26, 2012

5. View N from the Michel Bourdon Marker

Idaho Historical Society Information found on every IDOT/IHS marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris English, September 25, 2012

6. Idaho Historical Society Information found on every IDOT/IHS marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2012, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,834 times since then and 84 times this year. Last updated on October 1, 2012, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 30, 2012, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.