Trail Maintenance: an unending job
One of the interpretive signs installed on the Weismann Bridge; one of the new locations developed during this project.
From the very early days of “Lewis and Clark” we have been identifying locations of importance along the Trail. We know Hat Rock, Tower Rock, Pompey’s Pillar, Harper’s Ferry, Fort Mandan, Fort Clatsop, Camp River Dubois, etc., etc.
The Portage Route Chapter, like many others, were particularly busy developing locations and placing interpretive signage in the years building to the Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial.
----Throughout central Montana, from the mouth of the Marias to Camp Disappointment then to the Gates of the Mountains, there are 36 locations with slightly over 100 Lewis and Clark related interpretive signs----
Interpretive signs were developed with many partners, by many people; BLM, NPS, Forest Service, state and local governmental agencies, corporate partner such as Northwest Energy and Burlington Northern, and local nonprofit groups. All this in addition to the LCTHF and local chapters.
Many of the signs in our area have reached that 20-year life expectancy and need replacing. The Portage Route Chapter is primarily concerned with the eight locations in the Helena Canyon along with the Salem Overlook, Upper Portage Camp, Upper Portage Overlook, Broadwater Overlook and West Bank Park.
About seven years ago the chapter started a project to inventory all sites and signs to determine the need for replacement of signs and ensure the right story is being told at the right place without duplication. We also wanted to see if there were parts of the story that was missing and needed to be added.
This summer the project up through replacing of all needed signs should be completed. The chapter will have replaced 36 signs. Two new locations have been developed and 6 new signs made for them.
We will pause and catch our breath then plunge into the possibilities of developing two new locations along Highway 200 that will interpret the Expedition’s 1806 return over Lewis and Clark Pass and down the Sun River to the Great Falls.
The photos below give a glimpse into the project as we replaced and repaired signs and locations.
