The expedition passed the mouth of the Platte River with some difficulty. To the west of them lay the Sand Hills, similar to other terrain the explorers witnessed.

Photo courtesy Ron Kurtzer.

July 21, 1804. Clark: This Great river being much more rapid than the Missourie forces its Current against the opposit Shore. The Current of this river comes with great velosity roleing its Sands into the Missouri, filling up its Bead & Compelling it to incroach on the S [North] Shore. We found great dificuelty in passing around the Sand at the Mouth of this River. Capt. Lewis and Myself with 6 men in a perogue went up this Great river Platt about 2 [one] Miles, found the Current verry rapid roleing over Sands, passing through different Channels none of them more than five or Six feet deep. July 27, 1804. Clark: I took one man R. Fields and walked on Shore with a view of examoning Som Mounds on the L. S. of the river     those Mounds I found to be of Different hight Shape & Size, Some Composed of sand some earth & Sand     the hightest next to the river all of which covered about 200 acres of land, in a circular form.     on the Side from the river a low bottom & small Pond.

More about the animals July 30, 1804. Clark: Joseph Fields Killed and brought in an Anamale Called by the French Brarow [badger] and by the Panies Cho car tooch     this Anamale Burrows in the Ground and feeds on Flesh, (Prairie Dogs) Bugs & Vigatables     his shape & Size is like that of a Beaver, his head mouth &c. is like a Dogs with Short Ears, his Tail and Hair like that of a Ground Hog, and longer; and lighter. His Interals like the interals of a Hog, his Skin, thick and loose, his Belly is White an the Hair Short, a white Streek from his nose to his Shoulders. The toe nails of his fore feet is one Inch & 3/4 long, & feet large; the nails of his hind feet 3/4 of an Inch long, his hind feet Small and toes Crooked, his legs are short and when he moves Just sufficient to raise this body above the Ground.     He is of the Bear Species… Great no. Musquitors this evening.

Find out more: Sierra Club in Nebraska Sierra Club in Lincoln Nebraska Endangered Species More on Nebraska Species Sierra Magazine: Lewis and Clark