The Lolo Trail: A History and a Guide to the Trail of Lewis and Clark [Paperback]

Ralph S. Space (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 096633552X | ISBN-13: 978-0966335521 | Publication Date: April 29, 2001 | Edition: 2

THE LOLO TRAIL: A HISTORY AND GUIDE TO THE TRAIL OF LEWIS AND CLARK by Ralph S. Space (second edition) has a preface by Stephen Ambrose, in which he calls the author "the expert on the Lolo Trail. (Ralph Space) lived and breathed the Lolo Trail and with this book he has left us with a superb history but also a practical guide that's very useful for visitors who may want to discover the Trail during the Bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition." Ralph Space describes each day's drama during Lewis and Clark's odysseys on The Lolo Trail in 1805 and 1806. He analyzes Lewis and Clark's decisions with the crisp authority of someone who has lived his whole life in the headwaters of the Columbia River. Space also tells about the Native Americans who used this ancestral route to the buffalo, the trappers and traders who successfully adapted to this place, and the adventures of the U.S. Forest Service rangers in this wild and unforgiving country. THE LOLO TRAIL is als! o a guide to this rugged geography, so much of which is unchanged from the day of the Corps of Discovery.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a superb history but...with a practical guide that's very useful for visitors... -- Stephen Ambrose, author of Undaunted Courage

From the Publisher

I first encountered Ralph S. Space’s The Lolo Trail one Christmas holiday at Lochsa Lodge just over Lolo Pass from my hometown of Missoula. We had tons of snow that winter, and the family skied all day, hit the hot springs at twilight, then retired to the warmth of our cabins. I found THE LOLO TRAIL at breakfast one morning.

And here it is, more than a decade later, and I’m delighted at the opportunity to publish this second edition.

If you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, Idaho's Route 12, "the Lolo Highway," is not the Lolo Trail. In fact, for most of its run from the heights of Lolo Pass in Montana through to Weippe, Idaho, the Lolo Trail is a long way from the highway. The Trail follows the ridgetops between five thousand and seven thousand feet.

You mustn’t attempt to explore this rugged landscape without thoughtful preparation and adequate equipment. Please check the weather reports before you attempt this crossing. As the author, Ralph Space suggests, it can snow all twelve months of the year.

If you’re not used to the vagaries of traveling deep in the Rocky Mountains, you may want to hire an outfitter to guide your passage. The best way to experience this journey is to backpack or ride horses or mountain bikes, and an outfitter will make this an enjoyable experience, particularly if your children are along.

The Trail is a National Historic Landmark and is very fragile. In fact, the Lolo and Clearwater National Forests are planning to limit travel during the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, 2003 to 2006. You must plan ahead and apply for a permit before you set out. On page 131, you will find a listing of licensed outfitters and information about the permit system.

Enjoy.

Jeffrey J. Smith April 2001

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Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Historic Montana Pub; 2 edition (April 29, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096633552X
• ISBN-13: 978-0966335521
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,654,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential for travelers of the Lolo Trail, August 7, 2005

By 

Ollokot (Utah) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Lolo Trail: A History and a Guide to the Trail of Lewis and Clark (Paperback)

I recently returned from traveling the Lolo Trail. Having read this book just prior to my trip, and having it with me during the trip for reference made the entire excursion a great experience. This book is not for everyone. But no one should travel the Lolo Trail without it.

I bought the book as a reference to historical information about the Nez Perce and Lewis and Clark sites on the trail. It was very satisfactory in this regard. But the best parts of the book were actually some of the stories of other, more recent, events that have occurred in this area.