Annual Nez Perce trek tradition ends today

KOOSKIA, Idaho – In 1877, Chief Joseph led the Nez Perce Tribe on a 1,300-mile trek from Wallowa Lake, Ore., to where he surrendered when the U.S. Army caught up with them at Bear Paw Battlefield in eastern Montana.

This year, more than 200 riders on appaloosa horses are retracing a 100-mile portion of the trail the Nez Perce followed as part of the annual Chief Joseph Trail Ride.

“The ride is in honor of the Nez Perce and their horse,” Pat Roberts, of Dayton, Wash., told the Lewiston Tribune.

The Nez Perce, about 750 men, women and children, and about 1,500 horses, made the long journey in 1877 in hopes of finding peace in Canada, according to the Nez Perce Trail Foundation Web site.

The Nez Perce are closely associated with appaloosas. The annual ride – now in its 42nd year – is put on by members of the Appaloosa Horse Club, and each person taking part must ride an appaloosa. Each year the club covers a different 100-mile portion of the trail, taking 13 years to complete the entire circuit.

This year, riders began at Stites, Idaho, on Sunday and will end their trip today in the Mussellshell area of Montana, getting an idea of what the Nez Perce experienced more than a century ago.

“When you’re out there crawling up a hillside in this incredible landscape, you begin to understand,” said Joy Corpolongo, of Jay, Okla., a 23-year trail veteran.

Said Roberts, “It really, really makes you feel humble. The hardships they went through. It’s an absolute honor to be out here.”