How was the Continental divide significant in Lewis Clark exp.?

Question

How was the continental divide significant in the Lewis and Clark expedition? Also how was the Lolo Trail significant in the expedition as well? ALL answers are verryy much appreciated. Thanks guys.

Answer 1

no more damn hills to climb all down hill from there....

Answer 2

Well yes the Continental Divide was significant in two ways;

1 It was farther away and higher then they thought. The expedition had planned on being over the mountains and at the Pacific shore before the Fall but they were still in the mountains and the Indians that they hoped tio meet and trade for supplies were moving to winter quarters so they were beginning to think about wintering in the Rockies also.

The Lolo Trail was how they got over the mountains and to the Columbia Basin it was the fastest route over the mountains and the one that was used the next year when Lewis and Clark returned.

Answer 3

One of the goals of the expedition was to find a passage by water from the Mississippi to the Pacific. Following the headwaters of the Missouri to their source indicated that a contunuous passage did not exist. Instead a divide separatedthe Columbia River and the Pacific from the Missouri/Mississippi and the Atlantic. Lolo Pass through the Bitterroot Mountains was a portage between the great watersheds. Also, Lolo Pass was a favorable wintering spot, with game, hot springs, and friendly natives to trade with.