The Clearwater Story: A History of the Clearwater National Forest

U.S. Highway 12 runs through a grove of large and ancient Western Red cedars. Past this grove flows Crooked Fork Creek to join with White Sand Creek about two and a half miles downstream to form the Lochsa River. For many years this grove could be reached only by driving over a narrow gravel road that ran from Lolo, Montana over Lolo Pass and ended at Powell Ranger Station. During that time this grove was called the Big Cedars and the Forest Service maintained a public campground there for hunters, fishermen, and others who came to enjoy the forest.

When DeVoto was following the route taken by Lewis and Clark and writing his book "The Lewis and Clark Journals" he camped at this grove and fell in love with it. His favorite spot was under a massive cedar tree where he could look at the clear flowing Crooked Creek and hear it babbling over the rocks.

In 1955 DeVoto suddenly died. He had wanted his ashes scattered over one of the National Forests. This task was given to Chet Olsen, Regional Forester of Region Four and an old friend of DeVoto. James Vessey of Region One, knowing of DeVoto's love for the Big Cedars Grove, suggested this spot to Chet Olsen. Here in the spring of 1956 Chet Olsen, riding in a plane he hired from the Johnson's Flying Service of Missoula, carried out the last request of Bernard DeVoto.

DeVoto had many friends and it was not long before they were looking for a suitable memorial. At first they proposed that the Clearwater National Forest be renamed the DeVoto National Forest, but this was so bitterly opposed by the people of Idaho that the proposal was dropped. Next it was proposed to fasten a plaque to a large tree, but it was pointed out that although some trees live a long time every tree will some day die. At this time Highway 12 was being completed and it was necessary to widen the old road through the grove from a narrow one lane road to an oiled two lane highway. The Forest Service concluded that this widening process would reduce the area of the grove enough that it would no longer be suitable as a public campground. It was then decided to dedicate the grove to DeVoto.

In making a place to park cars it became necessary to remove one of the old cedars. Jack Puckett was present when it was felled. It was hollow but he counted the annual growth rings on the sound wood and from this estimated the age of the tree to be about five hundred years.

At the edge of the parking area is a sign which reads, "This majestic grove of western red cedar is dedicated to the memory of Bernard DeVoto, conservationist, author, and historian. He often camped here while studying the journals of Lewis and Clark. At his request, his ashes were scattered over the area". Then on a large boulder in the grove there is a bronze plaque which reads, "In memory of Bernard DeVoto 1897-1955, conservationist, and historian of the West".

The dedication ceremony took place in 1961. As requested by his family, there was only a small group present consisting of the DeVoto family, some close friends, and a few Forest Service Officials.

The author at DeVoto Memorial Cedar Grove.