HEART OF THE MONSTER (EAST KAMIAH) Heart of the Monster, a rock formation said to represent the heart of a monster in an ancient Nez Perce legend is located in East Kamiah. The site is approximately 53 acres of NPS-owned land 2 miles upstream from a bridge across the Clearwater River in Kamiah, Idaho. This site was a major prehistoric and historic Nez Perce crossing point of the Clearwater River. The nontreaty Nez Perce forded the Clearwater at this location during the 1877 war. An interpretive shelter with two exhibits offers an audio program to give background information on the role of legends in Nez Perce culture and tell a part of the "Coyote and the Monster" legend in Nez Perce and in English. A short trail leads to the Heart of the Monster formation, where a small semicircle of seating is available to listen to the audio program there. The site has been designated by the state of Idaho as a "watchable wildlife" site. The site is well signed and easy to find. There is a paved entrance loop with parking for eight cars. Available visitor facilities include restrooms, a bulletin board with park information, a water fountain, picnic tables, the interpretive shelter, and two short trails, one to the interpretive shelter and a loop trail that goes out to the Heart of the Monster formation. Another version of the "Coyote Creates the Human Beings" story tells how Coyote makes ropes out of vines, which he attaches to the three mountains (Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and Mount Rainier). In his backpack he also put roots and fish and other things. He taunts the monster who tries to suck him in. As the vines break and as Coyote is drug along, he throws out the roots and food so that they will be there when the Human Beings are created. Allen Pinkham (Nez Perce) from Salmon and His People - Fish & Fishing in Nez Perce Culture

	State: Idaho Unit: Upper Clearwater/ White Bird