During their expedition, Lewis and Clark camped on the banks of the Yellowstone River not far from modern Billings MT. In his journal, William Clark noted that he found a nearby sandstone butte which contained a number of petroglyphs carved by Native Americans, and he added his name and the date to the rock. Today, that graffiti is the only remaining physical trace of the expedition.

Here are some photos from a visit to Pompey’s Pillar.

The Visitors Center

The Interpretive Center inside

Pompey’s Pillar. Lewis and Clark named it after the son of their guides, French trapper Toussant Charbonnaeu and his Indian wife Sacagawea.

Boardwalk trail ascends up the pillar

Clark’s signature is now protected by a glass cover

“W Clark, July 25, 1806

In later years, the pillar was also signed by traders, railroad workers and miners

Native American petroglyphs, now mostly obliterated

The nearby Yellowstone River

The park’s Nature Trail

Wild pigeons demonstrating why their original name was “rock doves”

Yellow Bellied Marmot

Wildflowers

There was an active Osprey nest nearby