Panoramic print "Two Medicine Fight Site, Montana" by Brent Phelps

Camp Disappointment
1806

Lewis and three men from his party rode overland to explore the Marias River.  He found the headwaters three days later and then followed the northern branch (Cut Bank River).  On Cut Bank River , east of present-day Browning, Lewis could see the river exiting the mountains.  He called this northern-most campsite of the expedition "Camp Disappointment" since this meant the Marias did not reach 50 degrees north latitude, which would have extended the boundry of the Louisiana Territory. 

July 26, 1806

"The morning was cloudy and continued to rain as usual, tho' the cloud seemed somewhat thiner I therefor posponed seting out untill 9 A.M. in the hope that it would clear off but finding the contrary result I had the horses caught and we set out biding a lasting adieu to this place which I now call camp disappointment"  Capt. Lewis

Lewis and his party made a hasty retreat back down to the Missouri after killing two Indians by Two Medicine River.