Montana became a United States possession with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and was organized as a territory in 1864. It became the 41st state in the union on November 8, 1889 and covers an area of 147,138 square miles, making it the fourth largest in the country. Lies on the southern border of the state. Vast areas of national forest cover much of the state.

The Oregon Coast was explored as early as 1543 by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and 1592 by Juan de Fuca. Trappers and missionaries began exploring the area around the year 1800, and the famous Lewis and Clark expedition camped near the mouth of the Columbia River in 1805. Oregon is roughly rectangular in shape. Lies to the north, Idaho. To the east, and California. Two interstate routes serve Oregon. Interstate 5 passes north-south through Portlan.

FOR THE HIKER, TRAVELER, AND OUTDOORSMAN. McGill was built in 1906 to house workers for the mill and smelter of copper mines in eastern Nevada. It overlooks the vast empty spaces of the Steptoe Valley, from the foothills of the Duck Creek Range. The ores are now processed in Japan, but the old buildings are still extant, and the town still thrives as a residential community.

Wyoming became the 44th state of the union on July 10th, 1890. Is in the northwest corner of Wyoming, and the Grand Tetons. And other forested mountains provide striking and beautiful scenery.

Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, making it the 43rd state. As the west was being settled, Idaho was a wilderness through pioneers passed on their way to Oregon. Was built on the Oregon Trail for protection from Indians and became a major stop on the route. The city of Boise grew up near there, and is now the capitol of the state. Numerous other towns had their origins as stops along the Oregon Trail. Flows out of Yellowstone National Park.