Lost Trail Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lost Trail Pass |
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 Lost Trail
Location in USA West
Lost Trail
Location in Idaho
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| Elevation | 7,014 ft (2,138 m) |
| Traversed by |  US 93 |
| Location | Lemhi County, Idaho / Ravalli County, Montana, U.S. |
| Range | Bitterroot Mountains, Bitterroot Range, Rocky Mountains |
| Coordinates | 45°41.6′N 113°56.9′W / 45.6933°N 113.9483°W |
Lost Trail Pass is a special spot in the Rocky Mountains. It's a mountain pass located right on the border between Idaho and Montana. This pass is high up, about 7,014 feet (2,138 meters) above sea level. A major road, U.S. Highway 93, goes right through it.
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About Lost Trail Pass
Lost Trail Pass is part of the Bitterroot Mountains. These mountains are a big part of the Rocky Mountains in the northwestern United States. The pass helps people travel between Idaho and Montana.
Where is Lost Trail Pass?
The pass sits on the border of Lemhi County, Idaho and Ravalli County, Montana. It's a key point for travel in this area.
The pass is very close to the Continental Divide. This is an imaginary line that separates which ocean rivers flow into. West of the divide, water flows to the Pacific Ocean. East of it, water flows to the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. Lost Trail Pass is about half a mile (1 kilometer) west of this important line.
Rivers and Valleys
South of the pass in Idaho, you'll find the North Fork of the Salmon River. This river flows down towards a town called North Fork. Eventually, it joins the main Salmon River.
In Montana, U.S. Highway 93 goes north from the pass. It drops into the Bitterroot River Valley. This valley gradually leads down to towns like Hamilton, Lolo, and Missoula.
History of Lost Trail Pass
Lost Trail Pass has an interesting history, especially with the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Lewis and Clark's Journey
In 1805, Lewis and Clark and their team crossed the Continental Divide near this area. They entered the Bitterroot Valley on September 4. This crossing point was about 1.3 miles (2.1 kilometers) northwest of where Lost Trail Pass is today.
After their tough journey, Lewis and Clark rested for a few days. They stopped at a place called Travelers' Rest, near what is now Lolo. They were getting ready to cross the snowy Bitterroot Mountains again. They used a path called the Lolo Trail, which is north of U.S. Highway 12.
Skiing at Lost Trail Pass
Right at the pass, there's a fun place called Lost Trail Powder Mountain. It's a ski area located immediately west of U.S. Highway 93. What's cool is that its ski lifts and runs are in both Idaho and Montana!
