Beacon Rock

June 2007

    Beacon Rock holds a special place in American history and while Lewis and Clark had a perilous climb to the top, today there is a trail that affords an easy hike to the summit. However, our schedule was tight so if I was going to climb Beacon Rock, I would have to do so early in the morning.
    I set the alarm for 5:30 AM - just about sunrise. When I got up and looked out the window, I took this photo - one of my favorites on this trip - of the Columbia River at sunrise, with a crescent moon, from our room at Skamania Lodge.

Photo taken from Oregon, opposite Beacon Rock
    Lewis and Clark were commissioned by President Jefferson to explore and map the Louisiana Purchase. They traveled up the Missouri River, crossed the Rocky Mountains, and followed the Columbia River westward.
    At one point, they observed what today is known as Beacon Rock, an 800 foot high volcanic monolith that afforded a commanding view of the Columbia River Valley. They climbed to the top - a dangerous venture - and for the first time, observed the tidal influence on the Columbia River - at that point, they knew they were only a short distance from the edge of the continent and the Pacific Ocean. They had succeeded!
    Today, anyone with a spirit of adventure, can follow the trail to the summit of Beacon Rock and stand in the same place as Lewis and Clark.

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