Pompey's Pillar

May 22, 2021

The Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 1800s is quite the historical accomplishment as they went from St. Louis to the Pacific Coast and back and recorded the trip in detailed journals that are a great read today. The only remaining physical evidence of the trip is on Pompey’s Pillar, a large sandstone outcropping along the Yellowstone River in Montana that William Clark was following on his way to reconnect with Meriwether Lewis who was following the Missouri River on their return trip. When Clark encountered this monolith he climbed up and carved his initials and the date in the stone, something he’d done in other places. This one is the only one that remains today.

This is now a National Park with a great museum/interpretive center and knowledgeable rangers. It’s 35 miles from my home in Billings so a natural when it comes to a short ride destination. I rode out there today because we are having a one-day break in our rainy weather and temperature isn’t too bad, 51 degrees. 

Clark’s signature in on the right, protected by the glass case.