Bernard DeVoto followed the route of Lewis and Clark to write a book, 'The Lewis and Clark Journals'. One of his favorite places to camp was a grove of large and ancient Western Red cedars now off U.S. Highway 12.

Crooked Fork Creek flows past the grove to join with White Sand Creek a few miles downstream to form the Lochsa River. For many years the only way to reach the grove as a narrow gravel road that ran from Lolo, MT over Lolo Pass and ended at Powell Ranger Station, according to The Clearwater Story: A History of the Clearwater National Forest. During this time the grove was called the Big Cedars and a public campground there for hunters, fishermen and others was maintained by the Forest Service.

In 1955, DeVoto suddenly died. He had wanted his ashes scattered over one of the National Forests. Because friends knew of his love of Big Cedar Grove they suggested the ashes be scattered there and it was done in 1956.

DeVoto had many friends and they, in looking for a suitable memorial, proposed that the Clearwater National Forest be renamed DeVoto National Forest, but that was bitterly opposed by the people of Idaho that it was dropped. It was about this time that U.S. Highway 12 was being completed and it was necessary to widen the old road through the grove. That would reduce the area of the grove enough to make it unsuitable as a public campground. It was then decided to dedicate the grove to DeVoto. The dedication ceremony was held in 1961.

To see more about DeVoto and the grove go to: http://www.foresthistory.org/ASPNET/Publications/region/1/clearwater/story/chap25.htm.

Trivia Archives

Sponsored by:

Want accurate, daily news for Orofino and Clearwater County? Subscribe to: Traditional news Today's technology It's a bargain at $3 per month, $18 for 6 months or $30 per year. (Idaho residents, please add 6% sales tax) Subscribing is easy: Drop us a check with your email address and we will sign you up. (See the mailing address at left) Pay online: Click this Registration link and follow the Pay Pal instructions.