"Saleing" on Dry Land
Not far from here on June 25, 1805, the Corps of Discovery had a unique experience of sailing on dry land. That day the men were able to put up a mast on one of the canoes, the wind was strong enough to blow the canoe across the prairie. The portage was one of the most difficult parts of the expedition. The canoes had to be taken out of the river to portage around the five waterfalls. The canoes were brought up present day Belt Creek (then known as Portage Creek). The canoes, soaked with water, were allowed to dry out; helping make the canoes lighter and easier to maneuver. While the canoes were drying out the men built trucks out of cottonwood trees to haul the canoes. When the canoes were ready they were put on the carts and the gear was put into the canoe. Then the men began to pull the carts across the prairie. It took about one day to pull on canoe across the prairie and return for another canoe. "... the wind was great relief to them being Sufficently Strong to move the Canoes on the Trucks, this is Saleing on Dry Land in every Sence of the word." -William Clark. June 25, 1805.