Exploring the North Fork

Meriwether Lewis climbed up the drainage for their camp at the mouth of the Marias, where he reached a "commanding eminence" (where you are standing) and described the North Mountains (Bears Paw Mountains) and "the Barn Mountain (Square Butte). He noted the Marias River (named by Lewis for his cousin Maria Wood) then made a turn to the northeast...

He then started on his way to the upper reaches of the Marias River to determine if it was the true Missouri River. He hiked 8 miles that morning before becoming thirsty and the traveled an additional 3 miles to get a drink of water at the banks of the river...all before he had breakfast!.