Bluffs, bends, and sharp, scarcely submerged rocks—the White Cliffs region of the Missouri held somewhat less “inchantment” for Lewis’s men. But along this stretch the Corps became the first American citizens to glimpse the Rocky Mountains. Lewis exulted. Then, reality: “I reflected on the difficulties which this snowey barrier would most probably throw in my way to the Pacific, and the sufferings and hardship of myself and party in them.” But there was no stopping now. “With much labour and infinite risk,” they soldiered on.