Their momentous journey at an end, Louis and Clark finally reached the mouth of the mighty Columbia river, catching sight of the Pacific in mid-November 1805.
Having achieved their goal the expedition’s thoughts turned quickly to making the return journey home. The men took to scanning the constantly churning waves where the Columbia thrusts its self into the Pacific for any signs of ships masts. Seeing nothing, they resigned themselves to winter on the Pacific coast and established Fort Clasop for some protection as they waited out the long cold winter months.
Today not too far from Fort Clasop is the charming seaside city of Astoria. And if you stand on the same shores that Louis and Clark did some 200 years ago there will be no shortage of ships on the horizon. The Columbia river is one of the busier shipping lanes in the pacific North West. But as a modern explorer, you can avail yourself of THE prime viewing spot at Astoria’s Cannery Pier Hotel.