US-12, Idaho

Northwest Passage Scenic Byway

Introduction	US-12 / Northwest Passage Scenic Byway	Lolo Pass Visitors Center	Lochsa River
Clearwater River	Nez Perce National Historical Park	Clearwater River (Long Camp)	Lewiston, ID	Related Links

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Lolo Pass Visitors Center

Lochsa River

Clearwater River

The Heart of the Monster, the birthplace of the Nez Perce is here.

According to American Indian folklore, during the prehuman animal years a great monster was devouring all the animals. Coyote, the legendary chief animal of this age, slew the monster, cut him into many pieces and scattered these bits to the four winds. Legend has it that where each piece of the monster landed, a new Indian tribe arose. The Nez Perce tribe arose from drops of blood from the monster's heart.

Nez Perce National Historical Park / Heart of the Monster