Lolo Motorway - Road to the Buffalo
A Nez Perce legend tells us about the origin of the trail. A young boy was lost in these mountains. He was approached by Hah-hahts, the grizzly bear, angry that the humans were taking over his land. When confronted, the boy said, “I can only die. Death is only part of life. I am not afraid.” The grizzly, impressed with his bravery, took him to the “backbone of the highest mountains” to show him where the quas-peet-za (curled hairs) lived. He also showed him the huckleberry, chokecherry and serviceberry. When they returned to the Kamiah Valley, before leaving him, the bear said, “Here your people are living. Go tell them what you have learned about this great land, the food that has been provided for them and the trail that will take them across the mountain.”
Despite the events of 1877, the Nez Perce National Historic Trail is a trail of peace. Used for generations, the route offered access to hunting, fishing, and food gathering areas and enabled trade with other tribes. It led to buffalo on the eastern plains. Lewis and Clark followed the trail across the rugged Bitterroot Mountains to the Weippe Prairie, where they first met the Nimiípuu in 1805. They returned over the same trail in 1806.
These trails have been preserved through natural use. It is up to us to continue to respectfully use these trails remembering they are part of our heritage. To the Nez Perce these trails are part of their sacred land, land they still use. If we want those who come after us to have a sense of history, it is up to us to preserve and protect these special places.
