Washouga, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Lewis and Clark and the Three Bears

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 11, 2026

1. Lewis and Clark and the Three Bears Marker

Captions: (middle left) American Black Bear (Ursus Americans)/i ; (middle right) Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rytyulus).

Inscription.

Cub Scouting
While hunting across the river from here in spring 1806, members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition discovered a bear den with three cubs inside. The men brought the cubs back to camp to show the rest of the party. Indians visiting the camp were intrigued with the young black bears. Lewis wrote, the Indians who visited us today fancyed these pets and gave us wappetoe in exchange for them.

If you see a Bear
Black bear cubs usually are born in midwinter and stay with their mothers for about one year. Mature bears weigh 125 to 400 pounds.
If you see a bear on the trail stay calm, stop talking, and slowly back away while facing the bear, giving it plenty of room to escape. Avoid direct eye contact and do not try to run away. It is never a good idea to approach bear cubs. Coming between a female and her cub is dangerous.

April 4, 1806
I went out with two men more to the den where we saw the cubs, to watch for the old bear. ... But the old one was not returned: so we took the cubs and returned to camp.
Patrick Gass

When the Expedition passed through here in 1805 and 1806, the

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explorers observed numerous species of birds, mammals, insects, and other wildlife. Lewis wrote, " we saw the martin, small gees, the small speckled woodpecker with a white back, the Blue crested Corvus, ravens, crows eagles Vultures and hawks. the mellow bug and long leged spider have appeared, as have also the butterfly blowing fly and many other insects."
This area is now part of the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge that extends from here to the Columbia River, encompassing much of the the lowlands below this viewpoint.

Erected by Washington Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical date for this entry is April 4, 1806.

Location. 45° 34.29′ N, 122° 17.97′ W. Marker is in Washouga in , Washington. It is at the intersection of 14 and Southeast Gibson Road, on the right when traveling east on 14. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washougal WA 98671, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 11, 2026

2. Lewis and Clark and the Three Bears Marker

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: River Highway (approx. 2.3 miles away in Oregon); Broughton’s Expedition (approx. 2.3 miles away in Oregon); William R. Broughton R.N. (approx. 2.6 miles away); Stocking the Pantry (approx. 2.7 miles away); Corbett (approx. 2.8 miles away in Oregon); Chanticleer Point (approx. 3.2 miles away in Oregon); a different marker also named Chanticleer Point (approx. 3.2 miles away in Oregon); Samuel Hill – “Road Builder” (approx. 3.3 miles away in Oregon).

Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.