That's the Pacific Ocean in the background.

After more than 18 arduous months of exploration, the Corps of Discovery had yet to face what Capt. William Clark would call “the Steepest worst & highest mountain I ever ascended.”

Tillamook Head, located between present day Seaside and Cannon Beach, claimed that title, according to the explorer’s journal. Shortly after Christmas Day in 1806, Clark and 12 other expedition members, including Sacagawea, climbed over rocky headlands and made their way through thick shrubs and trees to see a beached whale south of what is now Ecola State Park. The expedition also wanted to trade for whale blubber and meat to enhance their stretched provisions.

The weather and trail was bad enough to prevent the group from reaching the whale until Jan. 8, at which time the neighboring Tillamook Indians had gathered most of the meat and blubber. They traded the expedition a few gallons of rendered oil and 300 pounds of blubber. Upon tasting the flesh, Clark found it not unlike “the fat of Poark” and resembling “beaver or dog in flavour.”

Today Ecola State Park wraps around Tillamook Head and features nine miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline. Hikers, whalewatchers, surfers and beachgoers flock to the popular park.