August 12, 1805

As we came to the head waters of the Missouri River, Lewis was the first to cross the Continental Divide. As we reached the ridge, all we saw was high ranges of mountains. We crossed Lemhi Pass and entered into Idaho. We know the next stretch of our journey will take many more weeks of travel and lots of endurance.

August 13, 1805

Today we encountered the Lemhi Shoshoni people. After calming a woman and two girls of their fears,we persuaded them to lead us to their village. This was the villages first contact with white people other than trade brought in my other indians.

August 17, 1805

Clark did not meet at the assigned rendezvous point. Out of desperation, I sent a man and a few indians to search for him. He finally showed up with the interpreter Charbono and another woman who was Sahcahgaweah's sister. This woman had escaped from the Minnetares and rejoined her nation. We were finally all together again and were prepared to continue our journey. As we entered the Shoshoni camp Sahcahgaweah recognized the chief as her long-lost brother Cameahwait.

August 18, 1805

Lewis celebrated his 31st birthday today. He has stated that he wants to accomplish something for the good of mankind. He has vowed in the future to live for mankind as he has heretofore lived only for himself.

August 24, 1805

We inquired of a Shoshoni man what route the Nose Pierced Indians took. He told us that the route which they took was hard and difficult. The terrain was rough and thickly covered with timber. He said that there were only berries to eat because game did not reside in that area. Despite his advice, we decided to follow this route. We experienced firsthand the hunger and exhaustion of this trail. 

August 31, 1805

We start our journey through the Bitterroot Mountains today. The Shoshoni supplied us with a few horses and a mule.

September 4, 1805

Today we met the Flathead Indians. Their camp had 33 lodges, 80 men with 400 people total, and 500 horses. They were very friend and let them camp with them. They received their name from lower columbian tribes who deformed the heads of their infants to make them pointed. Because the Columbian heads were so pointed, this tribe got the name of flatheads.