Lemhi Pass to Goldstone Pass
Lemhi Pass to Goldstone Pass, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest—Montana/Idaho border
Description: Imagine a place uninhibited by roads where the animals and rivers still run free and majestic peaks and rolling plains meet the eye in all directions. Lemhi Pass still encompasses the same scenery that met the Lewis and Clark expedition over 200 years ago and what was discovered on this Pass is considered one of the great achievements of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. First and foremost, it marked the first crossing of the Continental Divide by Anglo—Americans on August 12, 1805. By crossing the Continental Divide, Lewis and his crew left United States territory and journeyed into Oregon Country, the disputed lands claimed by Great Britain and the U.S. It also led to the discovery of the headwaters of the Columbia River, which flows to the Pacific Ocean.
However, it was also a point of disappointment as they realized that a navigable waterway, the “Northwest Passage,” was not to be found among the rugged mountains of the west. They were hoping to see an end to mountain ranges and a waterway to the Columbia River but standing at Lemhi Pass and looking off into the distance, they realized that a water route to the Pacific was not feasible. Lemhi Pass was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 for its significance in the Lewis and Clark expedition. Visitors to Lemhi Pass can still see the jagged peaks and foothills of the mountains much as they were 200 years ago on a remote, primitive site accessible only by backcountry roads.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 20 miles
Family-Friendly Option
At Lemhi Pass, Sacajawea Memorial Camp is a great place to visit. It has water, pit toilets, picnic tables, fire pits, and informal dispersed camping outside the perimeter of the Memorial Camp. Access the Trail from the Memorial Camp going north and trek desired distance on a two-track road for 1.7 miles where it will then become a narrow trail where the trail can then become steep and rough in some spots.
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Directions: Lemhi Pass: Take Highway 28 from Tendoy, ID for 13miles and Lemhi Pass is on the Lewis and Clark National Byway. Goldstone Pass: From Highway 278, (Lewis and Clark National Scenic Byway), drive 11 miles to the Van Houten Campground in the Big Hole Valley. Forest Service Road 181 (look for Skinner Meadows/Van Houten Campgrounds sign) goes past the campground to a 4WD road leading to Goldstone pass, FS 181 is a 2WD road but road 7327 to Goldstone Pass is for high clearance 4WD vehicles. The road cannot be accessed on the Idaho side.
Maps: USGS 7.5 Quadrangles: Lemhi Pass, Kitty Creek, Goldstone Mountain, Goldstone Pass, USFS: Beaverhead National Forest (Southwest)
Other Information:
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest contact information
Lewis and Clark Expedition commemorative site
Salmon-Challis National Forest
Salmon National Forest’s Leadore Ranger District at (208) 768-2500.
Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest’s Wise Ranger District at (406) 832-3178.