The explorer named Zebulon Pike was recently assigned to aid Lewis and Clark’s expedition. During their time in the Mississippi River, Lewis and Clark split off from the expedition group, leaving Pike with about twenty. For months, Pike and his men continued up the Mississippi to a region unknown up to a lake. Pike named this lake Cass Lake and discovered that the lake was the Mississippi’s water source. However, recent research has concluded that this was a mistake. Beside that, Pike gathered critical geographical data that was in a miniscule part of the Spanish-owned Louisiana Territory.

Pike’s second expedition turned out to be more interesting. In mid 1806, Pike set off with nineteen military personnel, an interpreter, and a doctor. During the early stages of the journey, Pike relieved a Native American village from the Spanish that had recently visited. In mid November, Pike made the risky decision to continue on in the expedition, even with very low supplies. He and his group continued due west. After a few days, Pike reached the Rocky Mountains mountain range. Entranced by the peaks, Pike and three of his peers attempted to climb an 11.5 thousand-foot summit. Although Pike was unsuccessful, he named the mountain Pike’s peak in his name. …show more content…
During the time of his tracking, Pike discovered a vast expanse of sand dunes. Once this sea of rolling sand was crossed, Pike crossed what he believed was the Red River. Shortly afterward, he and his expedition team built a stockade for protection against outside force. At this time, Pike’s doctor insisted that he travel to Santa Fe to procure a document to the Spanish to collect a debt. Apparently, the doctor’s presence made the Spanish governor suspicious of the American