Near North Bonneville in Skamania County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Passage Through Time
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 11, 2026
1. Passage Through Time Marker
Captions: (lower left) Historic photo of Beacon Rock; (upper right) Early settlers traveling down the Columbia River.
The Grandeur and History of the Columbia River Gorge
Welcome to Beacon Rock State Park! As you explore the Che-che-op-tin Trail, you will learn about the layers of history that have shaped this landscape.
You will marvel at the grandeur of basalt cliffs, learn about Walála -the American Indian village that once existed near here - and experience the Lewis and Clark Expedition's adventures in this vicinity. Open you eyes and ears to the diverse wildlife and understand more about the ranching, farming, and fishing activities that occurred here.
Enjoy the extraordinary beauty and rich natural and cultural history of the Columbia River Gorge.
Che-che-op-tin
Native peoples of this region referred to Beacon Rock as "Che-che-op-tin," meaning "the navel of the world." The rock was an important landmark to tribes, as well as later explorers and settlers.
Time Travel
Many people have been here throughout time, including the Walála Tribe and other Upper Chinookan-speaking peoples. The Lewis and Clark Expedition visited them in 1805 and 1806. Later, other explorers, traders, settlers, and fishermen journeyed
this page online
Erected by Washington Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Natural Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1805.
Location. 45° 37.125′ N, 122° 1.686′ W. Marker is near North Bonneville, Washington, in Skamania County. It can be reached from Doetsch Ranch Road near Evergreen Highway (State Highway 14), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: North Bonneville WA 98639, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Columbia River Gorge and in Southwest Washington State. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, on the Ring of Fire, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 11, 2026
2. Passage Through Time Marker
The marker is in the kiosk.
More about this marker. This marker in in the DAY Use section of Beacon Rock State Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
