Pioneers Blaze Trail Through Unknown Wyoming Wilderness

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The La Vérendrye Brothers' 1742–1743 Expedition

In 1742, two French-Canadian brothers, Louis-Joseph and François de La Vérendrye, set out on a daring journey from Fort La Reine in present-day Manitoba, Canada. Their mission was to find a route to the Pacific Ocean, a quest that had captivated explorers for centuries.

Traveling westward, they reached the Mandan villages along the Missouri River in North Dakota by May 19, 1742. After waiting for two months without meeting the Horse People, they hired two Mandan guides and continued their journey.

On July 23, they embarked on a 20-day trek through the rugged terrain, encountering diverse wildlife but no human settlements. By August 11, they arrived at a significant landmark, the "mountain of the Horse People," which some believe to be White Butte in North Dakota.

Their journey led them to the Bow People, possibly the Pawnee, who spoke of "French on the sea coast" and described them as having many slaves who were happy and did not run away. They had officers and priests and used horses to work the land.

On January 1, 1743, they sighted the Rocky Mountains, which were well-wooded and appeared very high. Scouts reported finding an abandoned Snake village, leading to concerns about potential attacks. The chief attempted to stop them, but most headed back to protect their women and children.

The brothers returned to Fort La Reine on July 2, 1743, after a journey that had taken them through present-day North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Despite not finding a route to the Pacific, their expedition provided valuable insights into the geography and indigenous peoples of the American West.

Exploring the La Vérendrye Brothers' Expedition:
Verendrye brothers' journey to the Rocky Mountains, Published on Saturday, May 11
Verendrye Site, Published on Thursday, May 01
Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye, Published on Wednesday, April 30


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