Kwtít Pupxm, later called Ross’ Hole, was a traditional Salish place along the Bitterroot River whose name means “big clear area” or “great clearing.” For countless generations, Indian people gathered chokecherries there and pastured their horses on the abundant grass. From this open valley, the Salish could travel south to the Salmon River country to fish for salmon or east to the open plains to hunt buffalo. On September 4, 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition was welcomed there by a large band of Salish Indians camped in the valley. Captain Clark recorded more than 30 lodges, 400 people, and at least 500 horses, and wrote that the people received the expedition in a friendly way, threw white robes over their shoulders, and smoked pipes of peace.