The Hunt Expedition

In 1810, four years after Lewis and Clark completed their journey, John Jacob Astor established the Pacific Fur Company and financed sea and land expeditions to establish a post near the mouth of the Columbia River. His overland party of 65 people under Wilson Price Hunt became the first Euro-Americans to explore the Snake River Plain. After reaching the Henry’s Fork drainage in eastern Idaho in October 1811, they built canoes intending to float down the Snake River to the Columbia and Fort Astoria, but dangerous rapids capsized canoes and supplies, and after a man drowned near present-day Milner Dam, Hunt concluded that river travel was impossible. With food running low and winter approaching, the expedition divided into three overland parties, each suffering severe hardships and near starvation. They survived through assistance from Shoshone, Nez Perce, and Cayuse Indians, who sold them horses and food and gave directions. By February 16, 1812, all had reached Fort Astoria. Parts of their overland trails were later used by westward-bound emigrants, and on November 21, 1811, after following the north bank of the Snake River and then turning northwest on Indian advice, Hunt’s group became the first Euro-Americans to view the Boise River Valley.

Idaho · United States