Environments along the Lewis and Clark Trail Philip J. and Carol A. Gersmehl New York Center for Geographic Learning.

EnvironmentsEnvironmentsalong thealong the

Lewis and Clark TrailLewis and Clark Trail

Philip J. and Carol A. GersmehlPhilip J. and Carol A. Gersmehl

New York Center for Geographic LearningNew York Center for Geographic Learning

Great Plain rivers – “a mile wide and an inch deep”Great Plain rivers – “a mile wide and an inch deep”

Prairie waterfowlPrairie waterfowl

The Missouri in central MontanaThe Missouri in central Montana

Near the headwaters – forests and sedge swampsNear the headwaters – forests and sedge swamps

Mountain stream rushiing toward the Pacific Ocean.Mountain stream rushiing toward the Pacific Ocean.

Clark Fork flowing toward the westClark Fork flowing toward the west

Columbia River through the lava plateau of central WashingtonColumbia River through the lava plateau of central Washington

Columbia River through the Coast Range of mountains.Columbia River through the Coast Range of mountains.

Repeat, looking at the landRepeat, looking at the land

Hardwood forests near the Mississippi River.Hardwood forests near the Mississippi River.

European settlers’ culture made extensive use of wood.European settlers’ culture made extensive use of wood.

Scattered trees and grasses near the margin of the grassy Plains.Scattered trees and grasses near the margin of the grassy Plains.

Grasslands of western Dakota.Grasslands of western Dakota.

Bison in western Dakota.Bison in western Dakota.

Badlands near the border between Dakota and Montana.Badlands near the border between Dakota and Montana.

Forested slopes near the Continental Divide.Forested slopes near the Continental Divide.

Lava plateau in central Oregon/Washington.Lava plateau in central Oregon/Washington.

Side stream waterfalls and lava plateau “fenceposts”Side stream waterfalls and lava plateau “fenceposts”

Rainforest near the Pacific Ocean.Rainforest near the Pacific Ocean.

Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark overwintered.Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark overwintered.

Fog-bound Oregon beach.Fog-bound Oregon beach.

What they did (and did not) see.What they did (and did not) see.

Hailstorm on the Great Plains.Hailstorm on the Great Plains.

Nebraska Sandhills – could they have crossed this?Nebraska Sandhills – could they have crossed this?

Really high mountains in Wyoming – could they have crossed this?Really high mountains in Wyoming – could they have crossed this?

Barren salty desert in Utah – could they have crossed this?Barren salty desert in Utah – could they have crossed this?

Deep canyon in southern Utah – could they have crossed this?Deep canyon in southern Utah – could they have crossed this?

Death Valley in California – could they have crossed this?Death Valley in California – could they have crossed this?

High Sierra in California – could they have crossed this?High Sierra in California – could they have crossed this?

What they went through:What they went through:

a GIS-based Summarya GIS-based Summary