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. 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

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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.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 45° 55.206′ N, 111° 29.946′ W. Marker is near Three Forks, Montana, in Gallatin County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country

and in Greater Bozeman.

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,

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

2. Colter’s Run Marker

Full view of marker

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: Second Gallatin City (within shouting distance of this marker); The Log Cabin (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gallatin City Hotel - 1868 (about 400 feet away); Thomas-Frederick Flour Mill (about 400 feet away); Jefferson’s Instructions to Lewis and Clark (approx. half a mile away); The Naming of a River (approx. half a mile away); Lewis and Clark reach the Headwaters (approx. half a mile away); The Upper Missouri (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Three Forks.

Additional keywords. Lewis and Clark Expedition

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

3. Colter’s Run Marker

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 4,702 times since then and 427 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.