Columbia River at Altoona

we with dificuelty found a place Clear of the tide and Sufficiently large to lie on

Great joy in camp we are in view of the Ocian this great Pacific Octean which we have been So long anxious to See.
William Clark

Could Clark see the Pacific Ocean from here? Was he lucky to have one of these brief winter sun breaks? In this photo, you can see where the Pacific Ocean is, but due to the curvature of the Earth, you cannot see the ocean itself. Did Clark make a mistake? Did he climb up the hill to see the ocean? Or did he consider this view 'close enough?'
The camp of the next day would be on the point in the far right.
Photo date: December 19, 2010
Some modern artifacts have been obscured.

Small rock in front of a large bay to the right

Columbia River near Altoona

we proceeded on about 12 miles below the Village under a high mountaneous Countrey on the Stard. Side. Shore boald and rockey
-William Clark-

This photo reflects a brief and rare break in the weather.
Photo date: December 19, 2010
Some modern artifacts have been obscured.

Rocky shore with a bay going to the right

Pillar Rock

Encamped under a high hill on the Stard. Side opposit to a rock Situated half a mile from the Shore, about 50 feet high and 20 feet Diamieter
-William Clark-

Historic photo of a tall, skinny rock jutting out of the river

Pillar Rock

Encamped under a high hill on the Stard. Side opposit to a rock Situated half a mile from the Shore, about 50 feet high and 20 feet Diamieter
-William Clark-

The top of Pillar rock was removed for a navigation beacon and in this photo, high tide covers about half of its remaining height.
Photo date: December 19, 2010

Small rock jutting up from the river

Columbia River near Altoona

...the only place we could get was on round Stones on which we lay our mats
-William Clark-

Gray's Bay is center and to the right.
Photo date: November 24, 1996

Rocky shore with a bay going to the right