At long last, the ambitious mapping process begun by the Adventure Cycling Association in 1999 has culminated in the release of maps of the new Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail. The Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail was born of a desire to offer bicyclists a way to celebrate the upcoming bicentennial anniversary of the Corps of Discovery’s historic journey. This new route covers 4,618 miles, available in an eight-map set charting the course from Hartford, Illinois to Astoria, Oregon. The maps are available for $11 per section, $8 for Adventure Cycling members, at www.adventurecycling.org or by calling Adventure Cycling Association sales at 800/721-8719.

The Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail is the latest addition to Adventure Cycling’s 30,500-mile National Bicycle Route Network. Features new to the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail maps include an elevation profile on each map panel showing cyclists the elevation gain and loss across the section. Additionally, the maps include an expanded list of historical events and locations along the trail. Seven of the eight map sections cover the 3,215 miles from Hartford, IL to Astoria, OR. The eighth map section retraces William Clark’s 1806 eastbound route along the Yellowstone River from Three Forks, MT to Williston, ND and includes the historically significant Pompey’s Pillar.

Section 1 begins at the site of the 1803/04 winter encampment used by the Corps of Discovery in Hartford, IL and follows the KATY Trail in Missouri for 151 miles, ending in Council Bluffs, IA. Section 2 traces the trail from Council Bluffs, IA to Pierre, SD and includes Lewis & Clark Lake, Lake Francis Case and Lake Sharpe. Section 3 takes in the 1804/05 winter camp of Fort Mandan, SD and continues to Williston, ND along the shore of Lake Sakakawea. Section 4 follows the path from Williston, ND to Great Falls, MT and skirts a number of designated areas including the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, the Upper Missouri National Wild & Scenic River and the Missouri Breaks National Monument. Section 5 goes from Great Falls, MT, home of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center, to Missoula, MT and includes a number of optional routes and spurs. Section 6 goes through the Bitterroot Mountains from Missoula, MT to Clarkston, WA along the Lochsa and Clearwater rivers, with an off-road option along the Lolo Trail. Section 7 is the home stretch along the Columbia River from Clarkston, WA to Astoria, OR including route options on both the Washington and Oregon sides of the Columbia River.

“Our mission is simply to inspire people of all ages to travel by bicycle, and explore the landscapes and history of America for fitness, fun and self-discovery. What could better fit this mission than a route following the travels of Lewis and Clark?” said Adventure Cycling’s executive director, Bill Sawyer. “On this route, riders can literally see, feel, and breathe the Corps of Discovery journey that took place almost 200 years ago,” Sawyer continued.