To walk a stretch of the Road to the Buffalo on the anniversary (plus a day) of Meriwether Lewis' ride through these parts

The Fourth of July weekend probably isn’t the best time for it, but try telling Capt. Lewis that. Together with nine men, 17 horses and one Newfoundland dog, he rode on the Blackfoot Road to the Buffalo on the opposite side of the river from Bonner on July 4, 1806. We’ll follow in his footsteps for a two-mile trek and try to see things from their points of view, and some things that Meriwether and the boys could’ve never imagined.

We’ll gather at the parking lot on the west end of the Black Bridge at 9 a.m. and caravan to the trailhead. The hike will involve gentle ascents of less than half a mile, a moderately strenuous downhill climb, and splendid views into history. The turnaround point holds a special feature for Lewis and Clark aficionados – the common monkey flower with a not-so-common story.

This year for the first time BMHC is asking for a small ($5 to $10) donation at its activities.