One Last Mountain: The Nez Perce War

More than 600 Nez Perce Indians and their 2,000 horses reached this ridge as they fled the pursuing U.S. Cavalry during the Nez Perce War. After the battle of the Big Hole a month earlier, they knew the Army did not intend to leave any survivors, and their movement became a flight for their lives. On the run for more than 60 days, they hoped that by crossing this pass and reaching the plains they could join their old allies, the Crows, or hasten to join Sitting Bull in Canada. They climbed here from the valley below exhausted and heartbroken from the long journey and from caring for their sick and wounded, while winter closed in. If they could get over the mountain quickly enough, they might escape the Army and regain their freedom. Accounts say they left a wounded warrior on this mountain, where Army scouts found and killed him, giving the site the name Dead Indian Pass.

Wyoming · United States