Pompeys Pillar

During Lewis and Clarks' Expedition to the Pacific Ocean 1804 to 1806, they left many signs behind as they passed through.  Unfortunately, we know of only 2 places that the experts can definitely say the Corp of Discovery was at an actual place:  west of Missoula is a place called Traveler's Rest near the Lolo Pass, and the other is Clark's signature and date carved into sandstone here at Pompeys Pillar.  Traveler's Rest is an archaeological dig of their campsite, enough evidence to prove that the Corp was there.  And in the journals of Clark, he noted that he carved his signature on a rock that was prominent overlooking the Yellowstone River.  Clark had nicknamed Sacajawea's son, Pomp, and he named the pillar Pomp's Pillar in honor of him.  Somehow in later years when the journals were transcribed, the name of the pillar was changed to Pompey's Pillar and then the ' was dropped sometime after 1938.

The visitor's center with the Pillar in background

Lewis and Clark in Montana

Darned mosquitoes!

Native Americans came here before Clark

Today the pillar and his signature are protected under the Bureau of Land Management even though in 2001 Clinton signed into law that Pompeys Pillar would be a national Monument.   Strange to walk into this national monument and not have the same experience that any other national monument has - to explain:  there are no park rangers instead volunteers and BLM staff to assist you; the displays are so very different than you normally see, I feel this BLM one is much more descriptive; there was a reference movie but was hard to follow with 3 different split screens going on at the same time - which one do you follow?  Regardless, we are glad we stopped at the monument.  By reading the informational exhibits, we both learned new things about their trip.

Replica of signature inside center

Interpretive signs greet you as you come in explaining the hardships the group of men encountered, what they saw (buffalo herds so immense that they had to wait to cross the river), the Native American Indians that they did not see but knew they were near (horses were stolen).  Once you step inside the building you will get a great view of the pillar.

Inside visitor's center - Yellowstone depicted on floor

Walked up to where the signature is, then continued on to the top of the limestone pillar to view what Clark witnessed - vast open areas, the river below, mountain ranges which some were snow capped even in the end of July.

Pillar from bottom, walk way to right 

Signature is to right lower, behind glass

Actual signature

Yellowstone looking west - notice rafters?

In distance (way far away) is Rocky Mountains

Looking eastward towards Miles City