Footsteps in history
Exploring the past at Fort Clatsop
BY LINDA K. HOARD
T
he rich history of the Lewis and Clark
National Historical Park in Astoria draws
people in to learn about the Lewis and Clark
Expedition to the Pacifi c Ocean, and about the
native Clatsop tribes who helped them.
The park off ers a wide range of hiking
and activity options. Those looking for an
easy stroll can travel from the visitor center to
the replica of Fort Clatsop to watch a ranger
demonstration. Others who desire an ambi-
tious trek can walk the 6.5 mile one-way trail
along the same forest, fi elds and dunes that the
Corps of Discovery traveled on the Fort to Sea
Trail. There are also several hikes in-between,
including the Kwis Kwis, South Slough, Netul
Landing and Clay Pit Pond Trail.
All of the trails intertwine and are walkable.
The Fort to Sea Trail will take travelers up
through the forest, down into the valley, across
the highway and through gentle pastures and
grassland to the Pacifi c Ocean at Sunset Beach.
There’s also the option to walk just parts of
the Fort to Sea Trail connecting with the other,
shorter trails closer to the visitor center and
make a nice loop to return.
Intermediate trails at the park traverse the
wooded hills across the highway, starting with
a hemlock and alder forest full of huckleber-
ries, salal and elderberry bushes. They climb
up through a large skunk cabbage marsh, and
into a forest of sitka spruce, western red cedars
and more hemlocks. A viewpoint rewards hik-
ers with a glimpse of the ocean.
In early June the woods are full of singing
swainson’s thrushes and Pacifi c wrens in the
marshland near the river. In August, it’s quieter
with just some chickadees, stellar jays, crows
and the occasional raven. By September, some
of the fall migrating ducks and shorebirds may
return.
Brandon and his daughter, Genevieve, hik-
ers from Washington, made their way through
several miles of forested trails at Fort Clatsop
in late August. Genevieve shared that she likes
eating huckleberries. “We enjoy the trails here,”
said Brandon. “Very kid friendly.”
Hikers Mary and Dave Ruth, from Cali-
fornia, discovered Fort Clatsop through the
National Park Service app. They have vis-
ited 70 National Parks during their cross coun-
try travels, using the stamps in their National
Parks Passport books as a record of their
journeys.
People will fi nd more than hikers in the
park. The visitor center includes fi lms, exhibits
See Page 10
Photos by Linda K. Hoard
Sharon Rhoads welcomes travelers at the
visitor center.
If You Go
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
ABOVE: Hiker on the
Clay Pit trail. LEFT:
Brandon and his
daughter, Genevieve,
on the Fort to Sea
Trail. RIGHT: Ripe
huckleberries on the
Fort to Sea Trail.
92343 Fort Clatsop Road, Astoria
Open daily
Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entrance fee is $10 per person for those 16
and older, ages 15 and younger are free
ORIGINAL FINE ART
on the waterfront
port of ilwaco, wa
marie-powell.com
360-244-0800
Volunteer Doug Packard in a period costume
at Fort Clatsop.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 // 7
Br