At the top, we are surprised by more than the spectacular view. An old gun turret is sitting there. And off to one side is what appears to be an entrance to either a tunnel or an underground bunker. We cautiously step into it wondering what it might be or where it might lead to. It is cold and dank but not too dark before the light from the other side helps brighten our way through to where we find another gun turret and a different view looking out to the ocean. Reading the signs describing the area, we learn that this is basically the place where the Clark group of the the Lewis and Clark expedition saw the ocean.

We also learn that during WWII this ‘area’ was “heavily stationed” with military personnel guarding the coast, and of course the mouth of the Columbia River, in case of enemy invasion; and the US Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment is still in operation conducting a very active Motor LifeBoat School.   A fellow visitor at the site said he thought the gun bases were for 100’ guns but that Oregon had been shelled by a submarine! Interesting trivia but not certain how accurate it is.