The location of the camp they made was extremely hazardous. According to Clark,
“at 2 o’clock P.M. the flood tide came in accompanied with emence waves and heavy winds, which floated the trees and Drift whch was on the point… maney of the trees nearly 200 feet long and from 4 to 7 feet through, our camp entirely under water dureing the hight of the tide, every man as wet as water could make them all the last night and to day all day as the rain Continued all day”
In addition to the cold and wet, members of the party were experiencing illness, due to the fact that they “had no fresh water, except what rain we caught by putting out our vessels” (Gass). Clark attributed the cause of the sickness to:
“Some of the party not accustomed to Salt water has made too free a use of it on them it acts as a pergitive.”
It was not possible to move forward.
“at this dismal point we must Spend another night as the wind & waves are too high to proceed.”
An ancient forest stand of Sitka Spruce and Wetern Hemlock along Discovery Trail. Photo Courtesy of James Sayce
While many stands of trees of the size described by Clark have long ago been logged, there are still a few places in the area where such trees can still be seen. Teal Slough and the South Nemah River region have small remaining stands, although these are areas never visited by the Corps of Discovery. But the most impressive old-growth cedars can be seen on Long Island’s 4700 acre refuge in Willapa Bay. Managed by the Willapa National Wildlife Service, the 274-acre stand of cedars includes trees which are 5-7 feet in diameter and 150-160 feet high – looking much the same as the ones which the Expedition members would have seen all around them during November, 1805.
Today, one can reach Long Island by boat or kayak. The Island contains a 3 mile interpretive trail and 5 campgrounds with a total of 25 camping sites. Visitors are advised to check the tide table before venturing out in order to ensure a high enough tide to reach the campground area without getting stuck in Bay mud. The Willapa National Wildlife Refuge has regulations and instructions specific to camping on Long Island (1-360-484-3482.)
Looking east at Megler Rest Area at vicinity of camp on the 9th. Photo Courtesy of James Sayce
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