Binmatshua

North of the broad Helena Valley, the Missouri River cuts between steep limestone walls at the Gates of the Mountains. The narrow passage opens into a country of mountains and wooded slopes above the river. In July 1805 Meriwether Lewis and William Clark brought their expedition upstream through the gorge. Lewis gave the passage its name because the cliffs seemed to swing apart like gates as the boats approached them.

The later city of Helena lies nearby.