Breathing in the Silhouette of History: The Lewis and Clark Trail
There’s just something about Oregon that seeps into your bones, melds with your spirit like the morning mist kissing the Douglas firs. One of the richest veins of history here, rooted in the robust soil of our grand state, is the storied journey of Lewis and Clark. If there’s one thing we Oregonians have in abundance, it’s an affinity for the incredible stories folded into our surroundings, with each green-laden vista holding its own yarn — and this one is particularly extraordinary.
Journeying Back in Time: Fort Clatsop to Seaside
Tracing the steps of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark isn’t merely about appreciating nature’s beauty, or working off that double Voodoo doughnut you indulged in at breakfast. No sir. It’s an authentic, living echo of our grand, multifaceted history.
Our journey begins at Fort Clatsop, an unassuming bastion of history barely a stone’s throw away from hip Astoria. A faithful recreation of the winter encampment that the Corps of Discovery called home from December 1805 until March 1806, Fort Clatsop is enveloped by whispering trees that breathe tangible traces of history.
Upon departing from the fort, the next stop on our sojourn is a gem called Seaside. It’s not only home to the end of the Lewis and Clark trail, but also the Salt Works, where members of their team boiled seawater for two months to secure that precious white gold. As any hard-crusted Oregon local will tell you, you haven’t truly experienced the Oregon Coast until you’ve barbecued a salmon in our salty coastal fog.
The Call of the Pine-Scented Wild: Lewis and Clark River and Dismal Nitch
Journeying east from Seaside there lies the Lewis and Clark River. Gone is the urban eclectic Portland vibe, replaced instead with an intriguing fusion of native American heritage and bold frontier exploration. There’s no better place to take it all in than sitting quietly on the banks, a Tillamook cheese sandwich in one hand and a locally crafted Rogue cold beer in the other.
A literal stone’s throw across the mighty Columbia River takes you to a place as evocative as its name: Dismal Nitch. Despite the gloomy moniker, locals know it as a place of stunning natural beauty and indomitable spirit. Here, the Corps of Discovery was strand-drifted for a harrowing six days in November 1805, locked in a battle with the elements that ended in their ultimate triumph. Dismal Nitch may not have the sparkliest reputation, but, in Oregon, we appreciate the rugged, the rough, the challenging — it’s a quirk of ours.
More Than Meets the Eye: Cape Disappointment and Beacon Rock
Venturing further afield, you’ll hit Cape Disappointment. But don’t let its name fool you. This place is anything but a disappointment. Home to an incredible lighthouse and a majestic view of where the Columbia River gives itself over to the Pacific Ocean, it’s a sight that will cure any antsy wanderlust.
For an eyeful of nature and a hike that will surely help you earn that craft brew, hop along to Beacon Rock on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. The views on this hike are what we Oregonians refer to as “dandy” — a serene reprieve from drizzle-soaked days where you can commune with the majesty of our rich, sprawling landscape.
So Much More to Discover
From breathtaking riverside vistas to enduring historical sites, the Lewis and Clark trail in Oregon is underappreciated by many but loved deeply by those of us who understand the essence and spirit of this laid-back, flannel-wrapped corner of the world. It’s something you’d only get if you’ve watched the sun set over Crater Lake, or felt the icy rush of Multnomah Falls’ spray.
This trail is way more than a history geek’s bonanza or a hiking enthusiast’s dream. It’s a vivid tapestry of who we are—bold, endlessly curious, grounded in the past yet always pushing towards the future. Unfurling the tale of Lewis and Clark in Oregon isn’t a history lesson but a journey into the heart of the state we truly adore. For those yet to wander in the footsteps of these legendary explorers, well, as they say around these parts, you’ve got a real treat in store. So lace up those hiking boots, don that trusty Patagonia beanie, and immerse yourself in the living history of our beauteous state.