USGS/CVO Logo, click to link to National USGS Website
USGS/Cascades Volcano Observatory, Vancouver, Washington

The Volcanoes of Lewis and Clark

March 30, 1806

Vancouver, Washington -
Ridgefield NWR to Ryan Point
 
Home
-- The Volcanoes of Lewis and Clark

Map of the Journey
-- Volcanoes, Basalt Plateaus, Major Rivers, etc.

CALENDAR of the Journey
-- October 1805 to June 1806

Along the Journey
-- Pacific Northwest Maps - Columbia River, Volcanoes, Flood Basalts, Missoula Floods, Geology, etc.

The Corps of Discovery
-- The Journey of Lewis and Clark

About the Reference Materials
-- The Journals, Biddle/Allen, DeVoto, Gass, Moulton, Topo Maps, and others

USGS Lewis and Clark Links
-- Links to USGS Websites highlighting the Lewis and Clark Journey

Resources
Publications Referenced and Websites Visited

PREVIOUS

March 29
Heading Home, Deer Island to Ridgefield NWR 		March 30

Vancouver, Washington
Ridgefield NWR to Ryan Point

Ridgefield NWR, Sauvie Island, Vancouver Lake and Vancouver Lake County Park, Mount Hood, Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier and Mount Jefferson, Fort Plain, Fort Vancouver and Vancouver (Washington), Fort Vancouver National Historical Site, Tomahawk Island and Hayden Island, Interstate-5 Bridge, Ryan Point, Mount Jefferson, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Hood 		CONTINUE

March 31
On the Banks of the Columbia, Ryan Point to Cottonwood Beach Camp
 

On October 7, 1805, Lewis and Clark and the "Corps of Discovery" began their journey down the Clearwater River and into the volcanics of the Pacific Northwest. The Corps travelled from the Clearwater to the Snake and down the "Great Columbia", finally reaching the Pacific Ocean on November 15, 1805. Along the journey they encountered the lava flows of the Columbia Plateau, river channels carved by the great "Missoula Floods", and the awesome beauty of five Cascade Range volcanoes.


Map, Lewis and Clark in the Pacific Northwest
(Click map for brief summary about the area)



The Volcanoes of Lewis and Clark
Heading for Home - March 1806
Vancouver, Washington-
Ridgefield NWR to Point Ryan

Sunday, March 30, 1806

Lewis and Clark's camp of March 29, 1806, was at the west end of today's Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.


Along the Journey - March 30, 1806
Map, 1887, Lewis River vicinity, click to enlarge NASA Image, 1994, Columbia River, Deer Island to the Willamette River, click to enlarge Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge:
  1. 1887 Map (section of original), Columbia River and the Lewis River vicinity. (Click to enlarge). Today's Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is located below the Lewis River. Original Map: The Columbia River from Celilo to the mouth showing locations of the salmon fisheries, 1887. Scale ca. 1:375,000, Relief shown by hachures. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Office, G.P.O. 1888. University of Washington Archives #UW128. -- University of Washington Library Archives Website, 2002
  2. 1994, NASA Image, Columbia River from Deer Island to the Willamette River (section of original). (Click to enlarge). View from space - north-northeast-looking, low-oblique photograph, showing a section of the Columbia River from Deer Island to the Willamette River, including the Lewis River, Sauvie Island, Bachelor Island, and the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, October 1994. The Columbia River is flowing from lower right to upper left in this image (southeast to northwest). Washington State is the upper right of the image and Oregon is to the bottom left. NASA Earth from Space #STS068-262-025. -- NASA Earth from Space Website, 2002

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge:
The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex is comprised of five refuges located in the southwest part of the state of Washington: Ridgefield north of Vancouver; Conboy in the southcentral part of the state; and Franz Lake, Pierce and Steigerwald Lake all located in the Columbia River Gorge. The refuge north of Vancouver, Washington, was established in 1965 in response to a need to establish vital winter habitat for the dusky Canada goose whose nesting areas in Alaska were severly impacted by the violent earthquake of 1964. This refuge is the location of two Lewis and Clark campsites (November 4, 1805 and March 29, 1806), and is an ancient Chinook townsite visited by the Expedition. In their journals, Lewis and Clark described the wapato plants that were harvested by the Chinook women, as well as, the geese and ducks that kept them awake at night. These species are still here today. Trails, auto tour, and wildlife viewing. Located 14 miles north of Vancouver, Washington. -- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Website, 2002, Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Website, 2002, and Lewis and Clark Bicentennial in Oregon Website, 2002


Soon after our departure we were met by three Clanaminamums, one of whom we recognised as our campanion yesterday ...... We passed, also, several fishing camps, on Wappatoo island [Sauvie Island], and then halted for breakfast on the north side of the river, near our camp of the 4th of November [in Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge]. Here we were visited by several canoes from two villages on Wappatoo island [Sauvie Island]; the first, about two miles above us, is called Clahnaquah, the other a mile above them, has the name of Multnomah. ......


Along the Journey - March 30, 1806
Map, 1887, Sauvie Island vicinity, click to enlarge NASA Image, 1994, Aerial view, Columbia River, Deer Island to the Willamette River, click to enlarge NASA Image, 1994, Aerial view Columbia River upstream of Vancouver, showing Sauvie Island, click to enlarge NASA Image, 1992, Aerial view Columbia River with Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, click to enlarge NASA Image, 1992, Aerial view Columbia River upstream of Vancouver, showing Sauvie Island, click to enlarge Sauvie Island:
  1. 1887 Map (section of original), Columbia River and the Sauvie Island vicinity. (Click to enlarge). Bachelor Island, while not named on the map, is the island south (below) the Lewis River. Original Map: The Columbia River from Celilo to the mouth showing locations of the salmon fisheries, 1887. Scale ca. 1:375,000, Relief shown by hachures. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Office, G.P.O. 1888. University of Washington Archives #UW128. -- University of Washington Library Archives Website, 2002
  2. 1994, NASA Image, Columbia River from Deer Island to the Willamette River (section of original). (Click to enlarge). View from space - north-northeast-looking, low-oblique photograph, showing a section of the Columbia River from Deer Island to the Willamette River, including the Lewis River, Sauvie Island, Bachelor Island, and the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, October 1994. The Columbia River is flowing from lower right to upper left in this image (southeast to northwest). Washington State is the upper right of the image and Oregon is to the bottom left. NASA Earth from Space #STS068-262-025. -- NASA Earth from Space Website, 2002
  3. 1994, NASA Image, Closer-in view, Columbia River and Sauvie Island (section of original). (Click to enlarge). View from space - north-northeast-looking, low-oblique photograph, showing a section of the Columbia River and Sauvie Island, Oregon, October 1994. NASA Earth from Space #STS068-262-025. -- NASA Earth from Space Website, 2002
  4. 1992, NASA Image, Columbia River, Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington (section of original). (Click to enlarge). View from space - west-looking, low-oblique photograph, showing a section of the Columbia River with Government Island, the Sandy River, Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, September 1992. The Columbia River is flowing from bottom (east) to top (west). NASA Earth from Space #STS047-096-066. -- NASA Earth from Space Website, 2002
  5. 1992, NASA Image, Columbia River upstream of Vancouver, Washington, showing Bachelor Island and the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (section of original). (Click to enlarge). View from space - west-looking, low-oblique photograph, showing a section of the Columbia River upstream of Vancouver, Washington, September 1992. Bachelor Island is on the right side of the image, just barely discernible as an island (light colored yellowish area). Bachelor Island Slough separates Bachelor Island from the mainland. The area next to the Columbia on the right and the left side of Bachelor Island is part of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. The upper half of the image is Sauvie Island, with the Willamette River on it's left, the Columbia River on the bottom, and the Multnomah Channel on the upper side. NASA Earth from Space #STS047-096-066. -- NASA Earth from Space Website, 2002

Sauvie Island:
Sauvie Island contains approximately 24,000 acres of land and lakes, and had its origin in alluvial deposits from the Columbia and Willamette rivers as their velocities decreased by changes in direction and by lava extrusions located on the north end. The island is 16 miles long and 4.5 miles at the widest point. The Sauvie Island wildlife area includes 8,053 acres of deeded land and 3,490 acres of land leased from the Division of State Lands for wildlife management purposes. The island is bounded on the east by the Columbia River; on the south by the Willamette River and on the west by the Multnomah Channel. Across the river on the Washington side, Scappoose Bay provides fish and wildlife habitat. Sauvie Island is the largest island in the Columbia River, and is for the most part low land and lakes. The highest point on the island is only about 50 feet above sea level. Lewis and Clark called it 'Wap-pa-to' and 'Wap-pa-too', the Indian name for the arrowhead or sagittaria. This was the wild potato, a valuable article of Indian food. Broughton visited the island in 1792 and named the western end of the island "Warrior Point" and the upstream point "Belle Vue Point." Lewis and Clark first visited the island on November 4, 1805. N.J. Wyeth built Fort William on this island in 1834-35 and some early maps have the name Wyeth Island. Wilkes used the name Multnomah Island. The name Sauvie Island comes from a French-Canadian employee of the Hudson's Bay Company who worked at the dairy farm on the west side of the island. The lettering Sauvies Island appears on Preston's 'Map of Oregon', 1856. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names adopted the style Sauvie Island ranther than the possessive Sauvies Island. -- McArthur, 1982, Oregon Geographic Names, Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority Website, 2002, Oregon State Archives Website, 2002, and Washington State Historical Society Website, 2002


Geology of Sauvie Island:
Both the northern quarter-mile of the tip of Sauvie Island and the usually submerged Warrior Rock are composed of the hard black Columbia River basalt that also underlies the city of St. Helens. These basalts are part of the series of lava flows that came down the ancestral Columbia River valley 12 million to 14 million years ago. Warrior Rock is a basalt reef that lies beneath the surface of the Columbia River during high water, near the east side of Sauvie Island, 3/4-mile south of its northern tip. Warrior Rock takes it name from Warrior Point, the prominent basalt pinnacle that stands 38 feet above sea level near the north end of Sauvie Island. -- Allen, 1985


"... about 5 miles Still higher up and on the N E. Side we halted for brackfast at the place which We had encamped the 4th of November last. here we were visited by several canoes of Indians from two Towns a Short distance above on the Wappato Island. ... at 10 a.m. we Set out and had not proceeded far before we came to a landing place where there was Several large canoes hauled up, and Sitting in a canoe, appaearantly waiting our arival with a view to join the fleet indian who was then along Side of us. this man informed he was a 'Shoto' and that his nation resided a little distance from the river. we landed an one of the indians pointed to the Shoto village which is Situated back of Pond [Vancouver Lake] which lies parrelal with the river on the N E. Side nearly opposit the Clan-nah quah village. ..." [Clark, March 30, 1806]


Along the Journey - March 30, 1806
NASA Image, 1992, Closer-in Columbia River at the Mouth of the Willamette, click to enlarge Image, 1990, Columbia River looking west, Vancouver Lake, click to enlarge Vancouver Lake:
  1. 1992, Aerial view, Columbia River at the mouth of the Willamette (section of original). (Click to enlarge). View from space - West-looking, low-oblique photograph, showing a section of the Columbia River with Government Island, September 1992. Portland, Oregon is to the left and Vancouver, Washington is to the right. NASA Earth from Space #STS047-096-066. -- NASA Earth from Space Website, 2002
  2. 1990, Aerial view, Columbia River looking west, with Vancouver Lake on the right. (Click to enlarge). Columbia River at Portland and Vancouver, looking west. Oregon is to the left and Washington State is to the right. Vancouver Lake is on the right. Photographer: Bob Heims. Photograph Date: June 21, 1990. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Photo Archives #Col0502.jpg -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Photo Archives Website, 2003

Vancouver Lake County Park:
The park stretches for 2.5 miles, bordering Vancouver Lake, and consists of thirty-five acres developed within the 234-acre park. Picnicking, play structure, windsurfing, and sand volleyball number among the activities that can be enjoyed here. Swimming is allowed in a cordoned swimming area. No lifeguards are on duty. In addition, Vancouver Lake is the site of many college and professional rowing competitions during the year. There are good views of Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood. On a clear day, Mount Rainier and Mount Jefferson can also be seen. Vancouver Lake County Park is also a wetlands haven for wildlife and migratory waterfowl. -- Vancouver Parks and Recreation Website, 2003


About sunset we reached a beautiful prairie [Fort Plain, site of today's Vancouver, Washington, area around Fort Vancouver and Pearson Airpark],


Along the Journey - March 30, 1806
Map, 1855, Columbia River, Vancouver to the Pacific, click to enlarge Map, 1887, Portland and Vancouver vicinity, click to enlarge NASA Image, 1992, Aerial view Columbia River with Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, click to enlarge NASA Image, 1992, Aerial view Columbia River at the Mouth of the Willamette, click to enlarge Image, 1990, Columbia River looking west, Vancouver Lake, click to enlarge Engraving, 1850, Fort Vancouver and Mount Hood, click to enlarge Fort Vancouver and Vancouver, Washington:
  1. 1855 Map, Columbia River from Vancouver to the Pacific (section of original). (Click to enlarge). Original Map: "Map of Oregon and Washington Territories: showing the proposed Northern Railroad route to the Pacific Ocean, by John Disturnell, 1855. University of Washington Archives #UW155. -- University of Washington Library Collections Website, 2002
  2. 1887 Map (section of original), Columbia River and the Portland and Vancouver vicinity. (Click to enlarge). Original Map: The Columbia River from Celilo to the mouth showing locations of the salmon fisheries, 1887. Scale ca. 1:375,000, Relief shown by hachures. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Office, G.P.O. 1888. University of Washington Archives #UW128. -- University of Washington Library Archives Website, 2002
  3. 1992, NASA Image, Columbia River, Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington (section of original). (Click to enlarge). View from space - west-looking, low-oblique photograph, showing a section of the Columbia River with Government Island, the Sandy River, Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, September 1992. The Columbia River is flowing from bottom (east) to top (west). NASA Earth from Space #STS047-096-066. -- NASA Earth from Space Website, 2002
  4. 1992, NASA Image, Closer-in view, Columbia River at the mouth of the Willamette (section of original). (Click to enlarge). View from space - West-looking, low-oblique photograph, showing a section of the Columbia River with Government Island, September 1992. Portland, Oregon is to the left and Vancouver, Washington is to the right. NASA Earth from Space #STS047-096-066. -- NASA Earth from Space Website, 2002
  5. 1990, Aerial view, Columbia River looking west, with Vancouver Lake on the right. (Click to enlarge). Columbia River at Portland and Vancouver, looking west. Oregon is to the left and Washington State is to the right. Vancouver Lake is on the right. Photographer: Bob Heims. Photograph Date: June 21, 1990. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Photo Archives #Col0502.jpg -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Photo Archives Website, 2003
  6. 1850 Engraving, Fort Vancouver, with Mount Hood in the background. (Click to enlarge). Engraving by: Gustave Sohon, November 1850. Image from U.S. War Dept.'s Reports of explorations and surveys to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, 1860, v. 12, pt.1, pl.44. University of Washington Libraries Collection #NA4171. -- University of Washington Archives Website, 2002

Fort Plain:
The Vancouver National Historic Reserve is located on a former area of prairie and wetlands that formed a highly productive location for native food resources. In the mid-19th century, this place was called "Fort Plain" through its association with the Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Vancouver. Fort Plain was the terminus of the "Klickitat Trail" that linked the interior Klickitat and Taidnapam people to the riverine Chinook people, and linked the resources of the river (smelt, sturgeon, salmon, and wapato), with that of the prairies and mountains (camas, oak, berries, game animals) (Norton, et al. 1983). Prehistoric artifacts found at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site confirm that American Indians occupied fort plain long before Lewis & Clark arrived. Fort Plain has been identified as a Lewis and Clark stopping place associated with their travels down the Columbia River on November 4, 1805, and a campsite during their travels up the Columbia on March 30, 1806. The journals identify a small prairie and pond at the upstream point of a large island, corresponding to modern Tomahawk Island. -- U.S. National Park Service, Fort Vancouver Historic Reserve Website, 2003


Fort Vancouver and Vancouver, Washington:
In May, 1792, American trader/sailor Robert Gray became the first non-native to enter the fabled "Great River of the West," the Columbia River. Later that year, British Lt. William Broughton, serving under Capt. George Vancouver, explored 100 miles upriver. Along the way, he named a point of land along the shore in honor of his commander. In 1806, American explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark camped near the Vancouver waterfront on the return leg of their famed western expedition. Lewis characterized the area as "the only desired situation for settlement west of the Rocky Mountains." In 1825, Dr. John McLoughlin decided to move the northwest headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company from Astoria to a more favorable setting upriver. He named the site after Point Vancouver on Broughton's original map. Fort Vancouver was thus born. The new site was on the north bank of the Columbia, slightly upstream from the mouth of the Willamette River on the opposite side. The fort itself, after an initial, arduous four years on a nearby bluff, would be built on a plain with easy access to the water, but just beyond the flood plain. The surrounding environment was broad areas of prairie and trees, sloping upward to dense fir forests; it was known as Jolie Prairie or Belle Vue Point because of its intense natural beauty. McLoughlin's superiors were well pleased with the choice, not only for its situation, but most importantly for its rich pasture and amenable climate. -- City of Vancouver Website, 2002, and U.S. National Park Service Website, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, 2002


Fort Vancouver National Historic Site:
Fort Vancouver became a National Monument in 1948 and a National Historic Site in 1961. In 1996, the 366-acre Vancouver National Historic Reserve was established to protect adjacent, historically significant historical areas. It includes Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, as well as Vancouver Barracks, Officers' Row, Pearson Field, The Water Resources Education Center, and portions of the Columbia River waterfront. The General O.O. Howard House serves as the visitor center for the Reserve, and is staffed by National Park Service personnel. -- U.S. National Park Service Website, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, 2002


opposite the middle of what we had called Image-canoe island [Hayden Island],


Along the Journey - March 30, 1806
Map, 1887, Portland and Vancouver vicinity, click to enlarge NASA Image, 1992, Columbia River with Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, click to enlarge NASA Image, 1992, Columbia River, Willametter River, and Hayden Island, click to enlarge Hayden Island:
  1. 1887 Map (section of original), Columbia River and the Portland and Vancouver vicinity, including Hayden Island. (Click to enlarge). Hayden Island, while not named, is the long island between Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The diamond-shaped island upstream (to the right) is Government Island. Original Map: The Columbia River from Celilo to the mouth showing locations of the salmon fisheries, 1887. Scale ca. 1:375,000, Relief shown by hachures. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Office, G.P.O. 1888. University of Washington Archives #UW128. -- University of Washington Library Archives Website, 2002
  2. 1992, NASA Image, Columbia River, Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington (section of original). (Click to enlarge). View from space - west-looking, low-oblique photograph, showing a section of the Columbia River with Government Island, Hayden Island, Lady Island, Sandy River, Washougal River, and Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, September 1992. The Columbia River is flowing from bottom (east) to top (west). NASA Earth from Space #STS047-096-066. -- NASA Earth from Space Website, 2002
  3. 1992, NASA Image, Closer-in, Columbia River, Willamette River, and Hayden Island (section of original). (Click to enlarge). View from space - west-looking, low-oblique photograph, showing a section of the Columbia River, Willamette River, and Hayden Island, September 1992. Near the top of the photo the Willamette River meets the Columbia River. Just upstream (below on photo) is Hayden Island, just barely discernible as an island in this view from space. The lower half (eastern) of Hayden Island is commercially developed while the upper half (western) of Hayden Island is open space. The Interstate-5 bridge is visible crossing the Columbia River from Portland Oregon (left) to Vancouver, Washington (right). NASA Earth from Space #STS047-096-066. -- NASA Earth from Space Website, 2002

Hayden Island:
Hayden Island was discovered on October 19, 1792, by W.R. Broughton, who called the island "Menzies Island", after the botanist on the voyage. On October 30, 1792, however, Broughton called the island "Goose Island". Lewis and Clark reached Hayden Island on November 4, 1805, and named it "Image Canoe Island", where they met a canoe with carved images at the bow. (Thwaites, editing the journals however mis-identified Image Canoe Island with Wapato Island, which is now called Sauvie Island.) Hudson's Bay Company called the island "Vancouver Island". During the 19th century the island bore the name of "Shaw's Island", for Col. W. Shaw, who had property there. Hayden Island was eventually renamed for Gay Hayden, an early major of Vancouver, who bought land on the island. -- Lewis McArthur, 1982, Oregon Geographic Names, and 'The Columbian' Website, 2002


Tomahawk Island:
A small island between "Image Canoe Island" and the north shore of the river was given the name "Tomahawk Island," after an incident during which Clark's tomahawk pipe was stolen. Clark visited a village on the mainland but was unable to determine the location of a river that geographic intuition indicated must be present in the area. The island was eventually washed away, but in 1927 the United States Board of Geographic Names (USBGN) was petitioned to assign the name to a new island that formed on the east end of Hayden Island. The Lewis and Clark name was perpetuated by naming a new island after one that has washed away. Tomahawk and Hayden islands have now almost been consolidated by river silting and road construction. -- Washington State Historical Society Website, 2003


Between 1915 and 1917, the Interstate-5 bridge was constructed, connecting Vancouver, Washington, with Hayden Island, Oregon.


Along the Journey - March 30, 1806
NASA Image, 1992, Columbia River, Willamette River, and Hayden Island, click to enlarge Image, 1993, Interstate-5 bridge spanning the Columbia from Vancouver to Portland, click to enlarge Interstate-5 Bridge:
  1. 1992, NASA Image, Closer-in Aerial view, Columbia River, Willamette River, and Hayden Island (section of original). (Click to enlarge). View from space - West-looking, low-oblique photograph, showing a section of the Columbia River, Willamette River, and Hayden Island, September 1992. Near the top of the photo the Willamette River meets the Columbia River. Just upstream (below on photo) is Hayden Island, just barely discernible as an island in this view from space. The lower half (eastern) of Hayden Island is commercially developed while the upper half (western) of Hayden Island is open space. The Interstate-5 bridge is visible crossing the Columbia River from Portland Oregon (left) to Vancouver, Washington (right). NASA Earth from Space #STS047-096-066. -- NASA Earth from Space Website, 2002
  2. 1993, Interstate-5 Bridge spanning the Columbia River from Vancouver, Washington (right) to Portland, Oregon (left). (Click to enlarge). The 1915-1917 bridge is in the foreground with the 1956 span visible behind. -- U.S. Library of Congress Website, 2003, American Memories

Interstate-5 Bridge:
Between 1915 and 1917, one of the largest bridges ever built up until this time was constructed over the Columbia River, between Vancouver, Washington and Hayden Island, Oregon. But the spanning of this bridge was more than a feat of engineering. Its construction signified an unprecedanted degree of co-operation between the citizens of Multnomah County, Oregon and Clark County, Washington who, dissatisfied with the inadequacies of the existing ferry system - the only connecting link for pedestrians and automobiles in this vicinity - eagerly rallied to the cause of an interstate bridge campaign. The bridge paved the way for a new era in automobile transportaion in the region, an era that developed so rapidly that a sedon, almost identical structure had to be bult alongside it some forty years later to keep pace with the enormous increase in interstate traffic. Date of construction: 1915-1917 northbound, and 1956 southbound. -- U.S. Library of Congress Website, 2003, American Memories


and having made twenty-three miles, encamped for the night [Ryan Point, south of Pearson Airpark, Vancouver, Washington].


Along the Journey - March 30, 1806
Ryan Point:
Along the Columbia River 1.4 miles east-southeast of the Interstate-5 highway bridge (just south and upstream of Vancouver's Pearson Air Park), lies Vancouver's most obscure major historical site -- Ryan Point. There's no sign today among the tugboats and cranes to show that Lewis and Clark landed at the point 200 years ago, or that the explorers hunkered down for the night with 30 companions 500 yards northwest of the point on March 30, 1806. Ryan Point is behind Building 33, a huge warehouse in Columbia Business Center. At 2.4 million square feet, the center is one of the largest industrial parks in the Vancouver-Portland area. Lewis and Clark's 1806 campsite near Ryan Point, at present-day Columbia River Drive and Columbia Shores Boulevard, is out of sight. It's covered with condominiums. -- NOAA Office of Coast Survey Website, 2003, and "The Columbian" Website, 2002, Lewis and Clark Bicentennial


In the prairie [Fort Plain] is a large pond or lake [one of the ponds near Fort Vancouver, now filled in],
"... Encamped in a Small Prarie above a large Pond on N. E and opposit the Center of image Canoe Island. ..." [Clark, March 30, 1806]


Along the Journey - March 30, 1806
Small Prairie and Large Pond:
The "Small Prarie" is undoubtedly the Fort Plain prairie that stretched from the Fort Vancouver village area to Marine Park and the Water Resources Education Center. ... The "Large Pond" would be one of the ponds in the Point Ryan area east and south of today's Pearson Airpark. -- U.S. National Park Service, Vancouver National Historic Reserve Website, 2003, and Moulton, Vol.I., NOAA Office of Coast Survey Website, 2003, and "The Columbian" Website, 2002, Lewis and Clark Bicentennial


and an open grove of oak borders the back part. There are many deer and elk in the neighbourhood, but they are very shy, and the annual fern which is now abundant and dry, make such a rustling as the hunters pass through it, that they could not come within reach of the game, and we obtained nothing but a single duck.


Along the Journey - March 30, 1806
The Camp - March 30, 1806:
Ryan Point, Vancouver, Washington.


" ... we made 22 Miles only to day the wind and a Strong current being against us all day, with rain. discovered a high mountain S E. Covered with Snow which we call Mt. Jefferson ..." [Clark, March 30, 1806]


Along the Journey - March 30, 1806
Map, 1855, Columbia River, Vancouver to the Pacific, click to enlarge NASA Image, 1994, Columbia River, Mount Hood, and Mount Jefferson click to enlarge Image, Mount Jefferson, click to enlarge Mount Jefferson:
  1. 1855 Map, Columbia River from Vancouver to the Pacific, including Mount Jefferson (section of original) (Click to enlarge). Original Map: "Map of Oregon and Washington Territories: showing the proposed Northern Railroad route to the Pacific Ocean, by John Disturnell, 1855. Mount Hood is depicted but not named. University of Washington Archives #UW155. -- University of Washington Library Collections Website, 2002
  2. 1994, NASA Image, Columbia River looking north, with Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson (Click to enlarge). View from space - Columbia River, Mount Hood, and Mount Jefferson, north-looking low-oblique photograph, NASA Earth from Space #STS068-262-032. -- NASA Earth from Space Website, 2002
  3. Mount Jefferson, as seen from Oregon Highway 97. (Click to enlarge). USGS photo by Lyn Topinka. -- USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory Photo Archives, 2003
Mount Jefferson (10,495 feet) is a prominent feature of the landscape seen from highways east and west of the Cascades. Mount Jefferson (one of thirteen major volcanic centers in the Cascade Range) has erupted repeatedly for hundreds of thousands of years, with its last eruptive episode during the last major glaciation which culminated about 15,000 years ago. The upper cone is composed largely of dacite lava flows and domes, many of which appear to have been emplaced when glaciers on the volcano were much larger than at present. It is likely that during growth of the domes, material was shed off to form pyroclastic flows and lahars, but if so, that record has been largely removed by glacial erosion. During the last few centuries, several small lakes were formed on the flanks of Mount Jefferson when small tributary valleys became dammed by glacial moraines (ridges of sediment left behind by glaciers). Several of these moraines have breached during the 20th century, producing local floods and small lahars. The youngest lava flows in the Mount Jefferson area are basaltic lava flows from Forked Butte and an unnamed butte south of Bear Butte. Both of these flows postdate the large eruption of Mount Mazama (Crater Lake) of about 7,600 years ago. -- Walder, et.al., 1999


" ... we had a view of mount St. helines and Mount Hood. the 1st is the most noble looking object of it's kind in nature. it's figure is a regular cone. both these mountains are perfectly covered with snow; at least the parts of them which are visible. ..." [Lewis, March 30, 1806]
" ... Saw mount rainey [Mount St. Helens] and Mount Hood which is verry white with Snow &C; ..." [Ordway, March 30, 1806]
" ... We saw this day Mount Rainey [Mount St. Helens] & Mount hood; they appeared white & was covered with Snow. ..." [Whitehouse, March 30, 1806]


Along the Journey - March 30, 1806
Map, 1855, Columbia River, Vancouver to the Pacific, click to enlarge Map, 1919 USGS topo map of Mount St. Helens, click to enlarge NASA Image, 1994, Aerial view, Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens, click to enlarge Engraving detail, 1879, Portland Oregon, Mount Rainier, and Mount St. Helens, click to enlarge Engraving detail, 1890, Portland Oregon, Mount Rainier, and Mount St. Helens, click to enlarge Image, 1973, Mount St. Helens and the Willamette River, click to enlarge Image, 1978, Mount St. Helens, before the May 18, 1980 eruption, click to enlarge Image, 1882, Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake, after the 1980 eruption, click to enlarge Mount St. Helens:
  1. 1855 Map, Columbia River from Vancouver to the Pacific, including Mount Hood (although not named) (section of original). (Click to enlarge). Original Map: "Map of Oregon and Washington Territories: showing the proposed Northern Railroad route to the Pacific Ocean, by John Disturnell, 1855. University of Washington Archives #UW155. -- University of Washington Library Collections Website, 2002
  2. 1919 Map of Mount St. Helens (section of original), from Mount St. Helens 1:125,000 topographic quadrangle. (Click to enlarge). Original map surveyed in 1913-1914 and 1916, contour interval of 100 feet. Map published in 1919. -- University of Washington Library Collections Website, 2002
  3. 1994, NASA Image, Columbia River Gorge (section of original). (Click to enlarge). View from space - Columbia River and the Columbia River Gorge, west-northwest-looking, low-oblique photograph, September 1994. The Columbia River is running from the bottom (east) to the top (west). The Cascade Range is the dark color through the middle of the image, with Mount Hood on the Oregon side of the Columbia and Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens on the Washington side of the Columbia. NASA Earth from Space #STS064-112-092. -- NASA Earth from Space Website, 2002
  4. 1879, Detail from engraving of Portland, Oregon with Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens. (Click to enlarge). Created by E.S. Glover. Published 1879, San Francisco. "Bird's-eye-view, looking east to the Cascade Mountains. Original lithograph shows Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood, and also the Columbia River and the Willamette River. Reference #LC Panoramic Maps #722. -- Library of Congress American Memories Website, 2002
  5. 1890, Detail from engraving of Portland, Oregon with Mount Rainier (???) and Mount St. Helens. (Click to enlarge). Created by Clohessy & Strengele. Published 1890, San Francisco. "Bird's-eye-view", Portland, Oregon, 1890. Original lithograph shows Mount Rainier (???), Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood, and also the Columbia River and the Willamette River. Reference #75694939. -- Library of Congress American Memories Website, 2002
  6. 1973, Photograph looking northerly across the Willamette River from a point near Lake Oswego in Clackamas and Multnomah Counties. The mountain dominating the far horizon is Mount St. Helens. (Click to enlarge). Oregon State Archives Photograph #OHD7567, Photograph Date: May 1973, From: Oregon Highway Division. -- Oregon State Archives Website, 2002
  7. 1978, View of Mount St. Helens, before the eruption of May 18, 1980. (Click to enlarge). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Photograph #Sce0234. Photograph Date: 1978. Photographer: unknown. From: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Photo Archives. -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Website, 2002
  8. 1982, USGS Photo showing Mount St. Helens after the May 18, 1980 eruption. The volcano is reflected in Spirit Lake. (Click to enlarge). USGS/CVO Photograph. Photograph Date: May 19, 1982. Photographer: Lyn Topinka. -- USGS/CVO Photo Archives, 2002
Mount St. Helens was known as "the Fuji of America" because its symmetrical beauty was similar to that of the famous Japanese volcano. The graceful cone top, whose glistening cap of perennial snow and ice dazzled the viewer, is now largely gone. On May 18, 1980, the missing mountaintop was transformed in a few hours into the extensive volcanic ash that blanketed much of the Northwestern United States and into various other deposits closer to the mountain. Even before its recent loss of height, Mount St. Helens was not one of the highest peaks in the Cascade Range. Its summit altitude of 9,677 feet (now the volcano is 8,364 feet), made it only the fifth highest peak in Washington. It stood out handsomely, however, from surrounding hills because it rose thousands of feet above them and had a perennial cover of ice and snow. The peak rose more than 5,000 feet above its base, where the lower flanks merge with adjacent ridges. The mountain is about 6 miles across at its base, which is at an altitude of about 4,400 feet on the northeastern side and about 4,000 feet elsewhere. At the pre-eruption timberline (upper limit of trees), the width of the cone was about 4 miles. Mount St. Helens is 34 miles almost due west of Mount Adams, which is in the eastern part of the Cascade Range. These "sister and brother" volcanic mountains are each about 50 miles from Mount Rainier, the giant of Cascade volcanoes. Mount Hood, the nearest major volcanic peak in Oregon, is about 60 miles southeast of Mount St. Helens. Mount St. Helens was named for British diplomat Alleyne Fitzherbert (1753-1839), whose title was Baron St. Helens. The mountain was named by Commander George Vancouver and the officers of H.M.S.Discovery while they were surveying the northern Pacific coast from 1792 to 1794. -- Foxworthy and Hill, 1982


Map, 1855, Columbia River, Vancouver to the Pacific, click to enlarge Map, 1911 USGS topo map of Mount Hood, click to enlarge NASA Image, 1994, Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens, click to enlarge NASA Image, 1997, Columbia River, Mount Hood, and Mount Adams, click to enlarge Engraving, 1848, Mount Hood and Oregon City, Oregon, click to enlarge Engraving, 1853, The Dalles, Oregon, with Mount Hood, click to enlarge Engraving detail, 1884, The Dalles and Mount Hood, with Mill Creek, click to enlarge Engraving detail, 1879, Portland Oregon and Mount Hood, click to enlarge Engraving detail, 1890, Portland Oregon and Mount Hood, click to enlarge Penny Postcard, ca.1915, Mount Hood from The Dalles, click to enlarge Penny Postcard, ca1930, Mount Hood as seen from White Salmon, Washington, click to enlarge Penny Postcard, ca.1930, Portland, Oregon and Mount Hood, click to enlarge Image, Mount Hood from Timberline, click to enlarge Mount Hood:
  1. 1855 Map, Columbia River from Vancouver to the Pacific, including Mount Hood (although not named) (section of original). (Click to enlarge). Original Map: "Map of Oregon and Washington Territories: showing the proposed Northern Railroad route to the Pacific Ocean, by John Disturnell, 1855. University of Washington Archives #UW155. -- University of Washington Library Collections Website, 2002
  2. 1911 Map of Mount Hood (section of original), from Mount Hood and Vicinity 1:125,000 topographic quadrangle. (Click to enlarge). Original map surveyed in 1907 and 1909-1911, contour interval of 100 feet. -- University of Washington Library Collections Website, 2002
  3. 1994, NASA Image, Columbia River Gorge (section of original). (Click to enlarge). View from space - Columbia River and the Columbia River Gorge, west-northwest-looking, low-oblique photograph, September 1994. The Columbia River is running from the bottom (east) to the top (west). The Cascade Range is the dark color through the middle of the image, with Mount Hood on the Oregon side of the Columbia and Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens on the Washington side of the Columbia. NASA Earth from Space #STS064-112-092. -- NASA Earth from Space Website, 2002
  4. 1997, NASA Image, Columbia River looking northeast, with Mount Adams and Mount Hood (Click to enlarge). View from space - Columbia River, Willamette Valley, Columbia Plateau, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood. In this northeast-looking photograph the Columbia River flows right (east) to left (west). NASA Earth from Space #STS085-734-085. -- NASA Earth from Space Website, 2002
  5. 1848, Etching of Mount Hood and American Village (Oregon City). (Click to enlarge). Etching by Henry James Warre, 1848. Oregon City was first settled in 1829. Dr. John McLoughlin is generally credited as the town's founding father, having contructed an early lumber mill there. Oregon City was an early capitol of the territory, until the territorial capitol was finally moved to Salem in 1851. In his book, the artist (Henry Warre) notes that a rival city had sprung up further down the Willamette during the summer of 1845 - this would become Portland, Oregon. Washington State University Archives Collection #WSU554. -- Washington State University Libray Archives Website, 2002
  6. 1853 Engraving, Columbia River area indian camp at The Dalles, Oregon, with Mount Hood in the background. (Click to enlarge). Engraving by John M. Stanley, 1853. From the U.S. War Department's Reports of explorations and surveys to ascertain the most practicable and econmical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, 1860, v.12, pt.1, pl.43. University of Washington Libraries Collection, #NA4170. -- University of Washington Libraries Website, 2002
  7. 1884, Closer-in detail from engraving of The Dalles, Oregon, and Mount Hood. (Click to enlarge). Created by H. Wellge. Published 1884, J.J. Stoner, Madison, Wisconsin. Panoramic view of the city of The Dalles, Oregon, county seat of Wasco County, 1884. Original lithograph shows The Dalles, Mount Hood, the Columbia River, and the mouth of Mill Creek. Reference #LC Panoramic Maps #727. -- Library of Congress American Memories Website, 2002
  8. 1879, Detail of engraving of Portland, Oregon and Mount Hood. (Click to enlarge). Created by E.S. Glover. Published 1879, San Francisco. "Bird's-eye-veiw, looking east to the Cascade Mountains. Original lithograph shows Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood, and also the Columbia River and the Willamette River. Reference #LC Panoramic Maps #722. -- Library of Congress American Memories Website, 2002
  9. 1890, Detail from engraving of Portland, Oregon with Mount Hood. (Click to enlarge). Created by Clohessy & Strengele. Published 1890, San Francisco. "Bird's-eye-view", Portland, Oregon, 1890. Original lithograph shows Mount Rainier (???), Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood, and also the Columbia River and the Willamette River. Reference #75694939. -- Library of Congress American Memories Website, 2002
  10. ca.1915, Penny Postcard, Mount Hood from near The Dalles. (Click to enlarge). "Mount Hood as seend from bank of the Columbia River near The Dalles, Ore.", A.M. Prentiss Photo. #447, Lipschuetz of Katz, Portland, Oregon. -- L.Topinka private collection, 2003, used with permission.
  11. ca.1930, Penny Postcard, Mount Hood as seen from White Salmon, Washington. (Click to enlarge). "Mount Hood and Interstate Bridge to Columbia River Highway from Evergreen Highway, White Salmon, Wash. to Hood River, Oregon." #826. -- L.Topinka private collection, 2003, used with permission
  12. ca.1930, Penny Postcard. Portland, Oregon and Mount Hood. (Click to enlarge). Angelus Commercial studio, Portland, Oregon. -- L.Topinka private collection, 2003, used with permission.
  13. Mount Hood, as seen from Timberline. (Click to enlarge). USGS photo by Lyn Topinka. -- USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory Photo Archives, 2002
Snow-clad Mount Hood dominates the Cascade skyline from the Portland metropolitan area to the wheat fields of Wasco and Sherman Counties. The mountain contributes valuable water, scenic, and recreational resources that help sustain the agricultural and tourist segments of the economies of surrounding cities and counties. Mount Hood is also one of the major volcanoes of the Cascade Range, having erupted repeatedly for hundreds of thousands of years, most recently during two episodes in the past 1,500 years. The last episode ended shortly before the arrival of Lewis and Clark in 1805, and consisted of growth and collapse of a lava dome that sent numerous pyroclastic flows down the south and west flanks. Crater Rock is the remnant of that dome. Mount Hood is 11,245 feet high, is the fourth highest peak in the Cascades, and the highest in Oregon. It was named after a British admiral and first described in 1792 by William Broughton, a member of an expedition under command of Captain George Vancouver. -- Scott, et.al., 1997, Gardner, et.al., 2000, and Swanson, et.al., 1989



 

Return to:
[Volcanoes and History Menu] ...
[Living With Volcanoes Menu] ...

ButtonBar
URL for CVO HomePage is: <http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/home.html>
URL for this page is: <http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/LivingWith/Historical/LewisClark/volcanoes_lewis_clark_march_30_1806.html>
If you have questions or comments please contact: <GS-CVO-WEB@usgs.gov>
03/22/04, Lyn Topinka