Buffalo Jumps
A buffalo jump is a hunting strategy employed by the Plains Indian tribes to kill large numbers of buffalo in a single hunt by stampeding them off a cliff in order to survive the winter months.
This method was used before the introduction of horses and guns.
The signs at the site said:
"A great buffalo runner often raced right over the cliff -- and jumped onto a safe-ledge out of the way of the cascading horns and hooves. Even those animals who saw the cliff at the last minute were shoved over by the momentum of the racing herd."
This particular jump is one of the tallest cliffs that we saw.
Lou is trying to identify the 'safety ledge' for the runner.
As we are leaving Great Falls we are listening to Ambrose Williams book (Undaunted Courage) that details the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
It is fun to listen as we drive through the area of the story.
Lewis is quoted as seeing this mountain and called it 'Fort Mountain'
Heading for the Headwaters of the Missouri
The Jefferson and Madison Rivers coming together here.
The Gallatin River
The definition of the beginning of the Missouri River is where these three rivers come together forming the Missouri.
This is where the Missouri has formed and flows down the canyon to the Great Falls. Today the headwaters of the Missouri
is a great recreation and camping area for all.
LEWIS ROCK
On July 27, 1805, Meriwether Lewis mapped the surrounding countryside
from this high point.
York's Island
Was named for Clark’s slave, York, who accompanied the Crops of Discovery.
“Yorks 8 Islands” appears on Clark’s 1805 map, the name was not officially recognized for 195 years until the U.S. Board on Geographic Names approved “Yorks Islands” in 2000.
Time for a good meal -
The Windbag Saloon was one of the recommended places.
It is housed in the last brothel in Helena.
Day 28
