Fort to Sea Hike

Overview

In the 1950s, the volunteers who created a replica of Fort Clatsop in the rainforest near the mouth of the Columbia River had a broader vision for the park that included a trail connecting the fort to the Pacific Ocean. The National Park Service commissioned a trail feasibility study in 1958, and the trail was finally constructed in 2004-05, in time for the bicentennial celebration of the Lewis and Clark expedition and the creation of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, which includes Fort Clatsop. The Fort to Sea Trail has two distinct segments. The 2 1/4 miles west of Highway 101 runs mostly through cattle pastures, where the squeamish may baulk at having to share an enclosed space with the occasional beady-eyed bull. There are several kissing gates to pass through. The eastern section of trail heads through secondary coastal woodland and rises to a viewpoint before dropping to arrive at Fort Clatsop. Other trails have been developed in this section since the original construction, so a combination of loops is possible on the return. Because the hike ends at a second trailhead, this trip works well as a one-way shuttle with two cars. However, most people will walk this route out and back beginning at Sunset Beach Trailhead. Even though it's a national park, dogs are permitted on leash. You can visit the beach first if you like. It's a third of a mile walk through shore pine woods, over two footbridges and through the dunegrass to a view of Sunset Beach from the foredunes. Then return to the parking area. The trail heads inland behind the restrooms through a lovely shore pine forest with a moss carpet. A few hemlocks and spruces are sprinkled among the pines. A shallow lake appears on the left. Cross Pacific Bellevue Lane, and head up a grassy area through a row of pines and then into another field. At the crest of this next dune, wild roses form a thicket. The Astoria Golf Club is on your right. The low sandy ridges here are known as the Clatsop Plains. Look for grazing elk early in the mornings an

Trail Stats

Photos

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