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In 1540, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado marches into the Rocky Mountain Region from the south. He does not travel alone. With him are groups of soldiers, missionaries, and African slaves.
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John Colter (c.1774-May 7, 1812 or November 22, 1813) was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition - 1804 to 1806. He made many explorations after Lewis and Clark. He is the first known person of European descent to enter the region known as Yellowstone National Park. He spent months alone in the wilderness and is considered to be the first "Mountain Man".
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In the summer of 1793, Sir Alexander Mackenzie was the first European to cross the Rocky Mountains.
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Benjamin Bonneville (April 14, 1796 - June 12, 1878) was a French born officer in the United States Army. He was also a fur trapper and explorer in the American West.
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Jedediah Strong Smith (January 6, 1799-May 27, 1831) was a hunter, trapper, fur trader, trailblazer and explorer of the Rocky Mountains. His explorations were significant in opening the American West to expansion by white settlers.
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The famed Lewis and Clark Expedition, from 1804 to 1806) was the first "American" overland expedtion to the Pacific Coast and back.
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Christopher Houston "Kit" Carson (December 24, 1809-May 23, 1868) American Frontiersman and fur trapper. He is famous for being John C. Fremont's guide in the American West.
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James (Jim) Bridger was among the foremost mountain men, trappers, scouts and guides in the Western United States. In 1830, he established The Rocky Mountain Fur Company.
