Near Carmen in Lemhi County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
William Clark's "Pirimids"
Clark's "Pirimids" are lessons in erosion and deposition. Looks closely at the columns to see layers of sediment: sandstone, gravel, and larger rocks that were eroded from ancient hills and deposited in valleys millions of years ago. Time and pressure cemented the sediments into formations hundreds of feet thick.
You can also see that on top of some of the "pirimids" are "capstones" of harder stone that kept the rock beneath them from eroding as quickly as the surrounding formation. Today formations like these are called "hoodoos," an African word for a thing or person that brings bad luck.
"…passed a remarkable rock resembling Pirimids on the Left Side." - William Clark August 31, 1805
Erected by Lewis and Clark in Lemhi County.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Natural Features. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 31, 1805.
Location. 45° 20.088′ N, 113° 52.524′ W. Marker is near Carmen, Idaho, in Lemhi County. Marker is on Tower Rock Road near Redtail Lane, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 188 Tower Rock Road, Carmen ID 83462, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lewis and Clark: Departure Camp (here, next to this marker); Erle and Lula Embley's Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Tower Creek (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Bluff (approx. 2.1 miles away); William Clark's Campsite, August 21 and 25, 1805 (approx. 2.2 miles away); Tower Rock: William Clark's "Clift" (approx. 2.2 miles away); Historic Lemhi Co. (approx. 6.4 miles away); Fort Bonneville (approx. 6.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carmen.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 264 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 23, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.