n November 3, 1805, Lewis and Clark arrived at Sandy or "Quicksand" River on their trip downriver to the coast. Fog obscured their first experience of the lower Columbia, below the cascades, a sign of things to come. They reached their destination, the Pacific Ocean, on November 15th. After exploring the area, they settled upon the south shore for their winter encampment. Fort Clatsop was their headquarters from December 7, 1805 to March 23, 1806.

They spent more time exploring villages on their return trip upriver, especially along the Willamette and near the mouth of Sandy River, where they were encamped from April 1-6th.

Read the commentary by the captains about the peoples they met along the Lower Columbia; their physical descriptions, their characteristics, their houses and canoes, and their foods.

Characteristics  |  Physical Description  |  Foods  |  Houses and Modes of Transportation