On July 23, 1877, approximately 750 members of the Nez Perce Nation, with over 2,000 horses, crossed Lolo Pass to escape the pursuing U.S. Army. Leaving their homeland behind, they followed this trail across the Bitterroot Mountains in an attempt to find peace by joining with traditional allies to the east. Designated a National Historic Trail by Congress on October 6, 1986, this trail was dedicated to these brave people on July 19, 1991.