A visit to the heart of creation

Heart of the Monster is a sacred place for the Nez Perce Tribe — and an easy place for travelers to visit

By KAYLEE BREWSTER FOR DAYTRIPPING

Along U.S. Highway 12 and the Clearwater River lies the creation site for the Nez Perce Tribe.

The Heart of the Monster is where the creation story of the Nimiipuu, or Nez Perce, takes place, which began when Iceye’ye, or Coyote, killed a monster that was eating all the animals. Coyote tricks the monster into eating him and cuts out his heart, which becomes the rocky mound known as

August Frank/for Daytripping the Heart of the Monster. Coyote then creates the Native American tribes, including the Nimiipuu.

ABOVE: People walk their dog down the trail that leads to the Heart of the Monster — the rocky mound in the distance. Nez Perce Tribe tradition holds that this site near Kamiah is where all Native American tribes were created. ABOVE LEFT: The story of Coyote and Monster is told on a display at the Heart of the Monster.

Those who visit the site will get a more detailed version of the story with signs and an audio recording of the story in English and Nez Perce. From the parking lot, it’s

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RIGHT: The Lochsa Historical Ranger Station dates back a century. It was once a key hub for the U.S. Forest Service, but now serves as a memento from the past.

BELOW: A kayaker hits rough rapids as he travels down the Lochsa River in early May.

August Frank/ for Daytripping