Gates of the Mountains is the name given by Lewis and Clark to describe their trip along the Missouri River as they sought a northwest passage in 1805. Today, this is a 2-hour boat trip that takes visitors along the Missouri, tracing the original Lewis and Clark route. It is a venture into the ruggedness and natural beauty of a river banked by high cliffs and gulches. You will see huge eagles nests, markings on the cliff walls made long ago by indigenous peoples and old logging strategies where felled timbers slide off a cliff into the river. As well, you will note the site where the smoke jumpers fought the fire of 1949 in Mann Gulch. Tour guides know the history and colorfully tell the stories. The rest is up to the tourist, who must imagine what it was like.There is an opportunity to disembark and walk a trail into a gulch. Sturdy shoes and a mist-proof jacket make good sense. There are many photo ops.There is a moment when the tour guide points out a turn in the river and you can truly see that it is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains . . . Memorable.
Visited August 14 2011
