Last updated: October 5, 2020
Place
Grizzly Sculpture in Great Falls
NPS
Quick Facts
Location:
Great Falls, Montana
MANAGED BY:
That day Lewis was alone and came upon a herd of about 1,000 bison near a bend in the Missouri River. He proceeded to shoot a large, fat bull and was so distracted in admiring his kill that he forgot to reload his rifle and didn’t pay attention to his surroundings.
He wrote in his journal entry for the day, “a large white, or reather brown bear, had perceived and crept on me within 20 steps before I discovered him; in the first moment I drew up my gun to shoot, but at the same instant recolected that she was not loaded and that he was too near for me to hope to perform this opperation before he reached me, as he was then briskly advancing on me;”
Lewis ran at full speed for about 80 yards, then plunged into the river thinking that if he could go deep enough the bear would have to swim and he would defend himself with his espontoon. When he was waist-deep, he turned and saw the bear had wheeled about, ceasing his pursuit.
The River’s Edge Trail stretches for nearly 60 miles along both sides of the Missouri River and provides the perfect way to walk, hike, jog, skate, or cycle. The paved and single-track trails encompass spectacular views of the mountains, prairies, river canyons, waterfalls, and five hydroelectric dams while connecting to Great Falls’ historic downtown, city parks, entertainment venues, and local attractions. To learn more, go to: www.thetrail.org.