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Beneath the canopy of an old
growth forest, the swells of Pacific
waves can be heard in the distance
while exploring along the 6.8 mile
North Head Trail. Crisp, salty ocean
breezes compliment the near sounds
of waves. With dew still on the grass,
the aroma of a morning forest floor
lingers as the tide advances in.
On the North Head Lighthouse
Loop Trail, explore stories of those
who have lived and explored this park
through the centuries. Venture out on
the 1.9 mile Cape Disappointment
Trail to visit the Lewis and Clark
Interpretive Center. The interpre-
tive center, located atop a 200 foot
cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean,
lets visitors dive a bit deeper into the
area’s rich history. In the center, find
stories of the coast’s Indigenous tribes
and chronicles of the intense journeys
of early European explorers.
Learn, too, about the park’s curi-
ous name. English Capt. John
Meares, also the namesake of Ore-
gon’s Cape Meares, named the loca-
tion after his own disappointment in
1788. Meares unsuccessfully crossed
the Columbia River Bar entrance,
and as a result, the headland became
known as Cape Disappointment. The
Columbia River soon gained its name
from Capt. Robert Gray, who suc-
cessfully crossed the cape in 1792.
Gray then named the Columbia River
after his own ship, the Columbia
Rediviva. In 1805, the famed Lewis
and Clark Expedition arrived at Cape
Disappointment, establishing a his-
toric site of colonial expedition.
The park’s headland, perched
along the maritime intersection of
the Columbia River and Pacific
Ocean, led it to feature two light-
houses. Cape Disappointment Light-
house, completed in 1856, is the
oldest operating lighthouse in the
Pacific Northwest. Constructed to
warn ships of the dangerous Colum-
bia River Bar that was the source of
Meares’ disappointment, the light-
house helped ships to avoid the pit-
falls of the so called Graveyard of
the Pacific, known for thousands of
shipwrecks.
While the first light served its pur-
pose, its visibility was limited. Ships
approaching from the north often
didn’t catch sight of the light until a
close approach. To supplement this
issue, North Head Lighthouse was
completed in 1898.
Other historic remnants, such as
Photos by Lissa Brewer
ABOVE: Headland view from the North Head Lighthouse Loop Trail. LEFT: The
North Head Lighthouse.
CAPE
DISAPPOINTMENT IS
THE PERFECT NORTH
COAST PARK TO
EXPLORE BY TRAIL,
TENT OR SHORE.
wartime bunkers and military instal-
lations can be seen and explored
throughout the park, from shelters
that once held smoothbore cannons
to protect the mouth of the Columbia
to gun batteries and other structures
used during World War II.
But above the park’s intriguing
historical sites, Cape Disappoint-
ment’s coastal beauty is on full dis-
play. Misty blue ocean hues can be
seen between tall strands of beach
grass on the Beards Hollow Trail,
where branches of small trees gently
sway in the wind. Hiking boots trudge
through the mud after a squall, as the
Cape Disappointment trail collects
the light tracks of hikers and pets.
Cape Disappointment is the per-
fect North Coast park to explore by
trail, tent or shore. From hiking along
beautiful overlooks to a relaxing
walk along the park’s sandy beach,
bringing a picnic lunch or setting up
camp, this expansive state park has
something for everyone. It’s the per-
fect local getaway for those looking
to relax between tall trees and the
ocean.
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022 // 9