Yellow Bluff

A view of the seashore at Ilwaco, Washington

"Monday 4:53 pm 6/25/07 Ilwaco, Washington" by rnair is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Quick Facts

Location:

Ilwaco, WA

MANAGED BY:

City of Ilwaco, WA

Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums

This map shows a range of features associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which commemorates the 1803-1806 Lewis and Clark Expedition. The trail spans a large portion of the North American continent, from the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon. The trail is comprised of the historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, an auto tour route, high potential historic sites (shown in black), visitor centers (shown in orange), and pivotal places (shown in green). These features can be selected on the map to reveal additional information. Also shown is a base map displaying state boundaries, cities, rivers, and highways. The map conveys how a significant area of the North American continent was traversed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition and indicates the many places where visitors can learn about their journey and experience the landscape through which they traveled.

On November 18, 1805, William Clark took a contingent of ten men and left Station Camp as soon as daylight came, heading down the shore on a reconnaissance trip. Several miles down, he describes passing what is today known as Yellow Bluff, saying:

4 Miles to a Small rock island in a deep nitch passed a nitch at2 miles in which there is a dreen from Some ponds back, theland low opposite this nitch a bluff of yellow Clay and SoftStone from the river to the Comencement of this nitch be-low the Country rises to high hills of about 80 or 90 feet above the water— 

Visitors can still visit this location today, although much of Yellow Bluff is now covered by vegetation. Should you care to visit, it’s relatively easy to find. If you’re entering Ilwaco from the east, follow Highway 101 until it merges with Spruce Street, then make a left turn onto Eliza Avenue SE, then another left onto Lake Street SE. Follow Lake Street to the town’s City Park, and park alongside it on the river side of the playground. From there, it’s a short walk to the Columbia River. Head northeast along the shoreline, and you find yourself at the base of Yellow Bluff.

For directions or more information on getting to City Park, call the Ilwaco City Hall at [phone].