Revision as of 00:50, 31 October 2014

• Start point: Vancouver Quay Trailhead
• End point: Officers Row
• Trail Log:
• Hike Type: Loop
• Distance: 4.2 miles
• High point: 110 feet
• Elevation gain: 130 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Seasons: Year round
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: No
• Crowded: Yes

Hike Description

For a major exposure to the Pacific Northwest's history of Anglo-American settlement, there is no comparable walk in the area than this loop. The excursion includes a visit to two monuments celebrating Captain George Vancouver's voyage of discovery (although Vancouver himself never reached this far up the Columbia), the reconstructed fortifications of the Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Vancouver, the historic Army houses along Evergreen Boulevard's Officers Row, and finally stops at various late 19th century buildings in downtown Vancouver. Although the loop is only four miles long, give yourself plenty of time to explore, imbibe and digest - perhaps taking advantage of some local eateries along the way.

From the parking area, walk east past a dock and riverside amphitheater, then pass around the back of the Red Lion Hotel. Walk through the hotel's parking area, reach Columbia Way, and then head toward the river. The first thing you see is the Captain George Vancouver Monument, looking somewhat like a Japanese torii gate, but a stylized skeleton of a long boat in red mounted on pillars. Vancouver, a British naval officer, stayed at the mouth of the Columbia in October, 1792 and sent Lieutenant William Broughton downriver to explore inland in long boats (on this expedition, Broughton went as far as the mouth of the Sandy River, about 100 miles upstream, and sighted and named Mount Hood). Vancouver had, in fact, passed the mouth of the Columbia River sailing north, but in the Strait of Juan de Fuca encountered American Captain Robert Gray and his ship Columbia Rediviva. Gray reported his explorations at the mouth of the Columbia and the difficulty at crossing the bar, but these led to Gray's return in May, 1792. Gray did not venture far upstream, but it was enough for him to name this huge river after his ship. It was only later in the same year that Broughton's party effected a more thorough exploration.

Cross under the I-5 bridge and keep to the path along the river next to Columbia Way. Cross the road and head toward Old Apple Tree Park. Pass through a tunnel under the railroad lines and keep straight to admire the historic apple tree behind its guardian fence. This tree was planted in 1826, when the Hudson's Bay Company was still operating out of Fort Vancouver. Go right from the park to begin your trip up and over the Vancouver Land Bridge, completed by renowned architect Maya Lin in 2008 as part of the Confluence Project in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. As you go up and over the bridge, which crosses State Route 14, various panels and interpretive displays illustrate the human natural history of the area. The plantings are all Northwest natives.

Descending from the Land Bridge, you are now on the grounds of Fort Vancouver, a national historic site. First, take a left and inspect some reconstructions of settlement homes. Then continue north and then east past the heritage garden. There were about 1,400 acres of farmland and gardens in the area in the days of the Hudson's Bay Company. A path right leads to a replica of the fort itself, where you need to pay a small fee at an entrance kiosk. Signs along the path tell about the village of workers, many of whom were ‘Kanakas’ (Hawaiians). There’s also a sign about the many nationalities of workers came from: Hawaiians, French-Canadians, Metis, Indians, Scots, English, Orkney Islanders. The interior of the stockade here is an interesting visit, with a reconstructed blacksmith shop, bakery, fur warehouse, and kitchen among other buildings, and well worth the price of admission. On summer weekends, there are often historical reenactments and volunteers dressed in period costumes. Pearson Field Airport is south of the fort.

As a diversion here after visiting the fort, take the path that leads east from the fort entrance and walk to the Pearson Air Museum, which has free entry and is now run by the National Park Service. Outside the museum, there's a 1975 monument in Russian and English to the three Soviet airmen, including pilot Valery Chkalov, who flew over the North Pole in 1937 in an ANT-25. The headquarters of Pearson Field is here, with a sign commemorating the 321st Observation Squadron, 1923 - 1941, which mainly dealt with forest fires. The museum formerly displayed numerous privately-owned antique aircraft, but these were removed in 2013 following the termination of the museum trust's agreement with the National Park Service. Displays now focus on the history of aviation in the area.

From the fort, head north across 5th Street and up the park road which rises across a vast green lawn studded with oaks, fruit trees and conifers. The Vancouver Barracks, 1849, is to your left. At the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center, there’s a monument to the three Japanese fishermen who were the survivors of a cargo boat that set sail for Edo (Tokyo) in 1832 and drifted across the Pacific and were found by a coastal tribe. The free Visitor Center displays historical exhibits, including a valuable ceramics collection. Then, walk east along the parking area to a ship’s anchor of unknown provenance, probably 180 years old or so, that was dredged out of the Columbia. There are views across the river to the Portland's Alameda Ridge, the tops of the downtown skyscrapers, and the Tualatin Hills.

Keep up the hill to Officers Row and begin to walk west along Evergreen Boulevard. The houses at this end are all townhouses. Pass the Marshall House of 1886, which has tours and exhibits. There are many small plaques next to the sidewalk which tell the history of this U.S. Army barracks. There’s a replica of the old bandstand across Evergreen and the enlisted men's barracks below it. The parade ground is west of the bandstand. Pass the Grant House, finished in 1850, which now houses a restaurant. Come to a roundabout and keep walking straight along Evergreen. Pass the General O.O. Howard House on your left and continue across the freeway overpass.

Now begin a somewhat convoluted but historic passage through downtown Vancouver. See the Academy buildings (1871) on your right. This venerable structure was a convent, hospital, orphanage and school. Make a left on C Street, walk for half a block, and then go right into the Sculpture Garden, a display of modern art, on Broadway. Continue walking another block to Main Street and then turn right heading up several blocks to 13th Street to find the Hidden House, 1885, first owned a man named Hidden who owned the local brickyard: the house is now a Greek restaurant! Turn left on 13th and proceed to the end of the block, where there’s another Hidden House, and then turn south (left) on Washington Street. St. James’ Church is on your right: this edition of the church was built in 1884. Walk for one block and turn right on 12th Street. Then, walk four blocks west on 12th to the modern courthouse, passing the old post office and some other older buildings. After this, turn left for two blocks to 11th Street and make another left. Head east until you hit Esther Street and make a right here. This takes you down to the indoor farmer’s market and then past Esther Short Park. At the corner of Esther Street and 6th Street is a statue to George Vancouver. Turn east on 6th, passing the Slocum House Theater and the bell tower. Then make a right on W. Columbia Street. Walk down Columbia. At the railroad embankment, there’s a stretch of murals commemorating World War II and Vietnam. Passing under the railroad bridge, take the first left for the Vancouver Quay Trailhead.

Maps

• Downtown Vancouver - Discovery Historic Short Loop (Vancouver Parks & Recreation)

Regulations or restrictions, etc

• Fort Vancouver: $3.00 admission (under 15 free) to the fort itself
• Pearson Air Museum: free
• Park areas closed 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
• Dogs on leash

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for Vancouver Discovery Loop Hike

Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for Vancouver Discovery Loop Hike

Guidebooks that cover this hike

• Peaceful Places: Portland by Paul Gerald

More Links

• Discovery Historic Loop Trail (4 miles) (Vancouver Parks & Recreation)
• Discovery Historic Loop (Vancouver Parks & Recreation)
• Boat of Discovery (City of Vancouver)
• Old Apple Tree Park (Vancouver Parks & Recreation)
• Vancouver Land Bridge (Confluence Project)
• "Vancouver Land Bridge, Vancouver, Washington" (The Columbia River: A Photographic Journey)
• Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (National Park Service)
• Fort Vancouver (Wikipedia)
• Explore Fort Vancouver (Fort Vancouver National Site)
• Pearson Field and Pearson Air Museum (National Park Service)
• Valery Chkalov (Wikipedia)
• "Officers Row, Vancouver, Washington" (The Columbia River: A Photographic Journey)
• Officers Row (Fort Vancouver National Site)
• Officer's Row (City of Vancouver)
• The Grant House
• The Academy
• Public Art (City of Vancouver)
• Lowell M. Hidden House (Clark County, Washington)
• The Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater
• Vancouver Farmers Market
• Esther Short Park (City of Vancouver)
• Captain George Vancouver Statue (City of Vancouver)
• Slocum House ((Clark County, Washington)
• Salmon Run Bell Tower and Glockenspiel (City of Vancouver)
• Railroad Mural (City of Vancouver)

Contributors

• bobcat (creator)