Picture courtesy of Jim Kuntz.

Picture courtesy of Jim Kuntz.

"May 30th Wednesday 1804
...we Made 14 miles to day, the river Continue to rise, the County on each Side appear full of Water." - William Clark

Searching for a mapmaker's view of the countryside, Lewis and Clark used high overlooks along the river. William Clark, the main cartographer, would routinely climb to a vantage point like Grand Bluffs. From the overlook, the scene spans 20 or 30 miles up and down the river. Landscape views helped them improve map sketches, take measurements, identify landmarks, estimate distances and learn the character of land along important tributaries such as the Gasconade River.

The river of 1804 had a wider channel than today. Framing the river were bottomland forests, sloughs and oxbow lakes. Looking closely at the field below, you can follow the curve of an old river channel that trailed against the bluff, then curled across the bottomland. A stand of willows now grows in part of the old channel. In the 20th century, much of the forests and wetlands were cleared and levied for agriculture, creating open bottomlands.

The Grand Bluffs rise to an impressive height of 300 feet. From the overlook, the landscape offers a fascinating view of the northern Ozark uplift and the Missouri River valley, a special reward for all hardy enough to make the trek.

Comments (1)

Jim Kuntz: ... Grand Bluffs Scenic Overlook Trail leads users through maple/oak forest, prairie and an old orchard where a pear tree still bears fruit in the fall. In a spring visit wildflowers abound and in autumn the colors astound. 1 June 07, 2006

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