A sculptor’s bid to save a favorite stand of trees led him to produce the most recent artistic addition to Lewis and Clark National Historical Park near the mouth of the Columbia River.

The 7-by-4-foot bronze sculpture, which depicts a scene from one of the most harrowing stops of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s journey, will be celebrated with a dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday at Dismal Nitch Rest Area, one mile upriver from the Astoria-Megler Bridge on the Washington side of the Columbia.

The sculpture brings to life an unpleasant stretch in early November 1805, when a violent storm trapped Lewis and Clark’s expedition along a sliver of beach as waves smashed their canoes against rocks while boulders and stones tumbled down on them from the steep hillside. With minimal food and rotting clothes, the group waited days for the weather to improve.

The scene in the sculpture shows the explorers finally making their way out of the treacherous cove — dubbed by William Clark as “Dismal Nitch” — and on down the river.

Sculptor Gareth Curtiss said the project began when he learned of Weyerhaeuser’s plans to log a swath of cedar and fir trees bordering his girlfriend’s property near Shelton, Wash. Hoping to save the trees, Curtiss worked out a deal with the Weyerhaeuser Foundation, which focuses on the company’s charitable efforts.

Curtiss agreed to create the sculpture in exchange for the three-acre parcel of land where the trees stood. Weyerhaeuser would then donate the sculpture to the Washington State Historical Society, said David Nicandri, the society’s director.

“It seemed to be a win-win situation for everybody involved,” Curtiss said.

Curtiss’ sculpture is set inside a concrete base created by Ocean Park artisan craftsman Bill Clearman. Nicandri said the bronze sculpture is valued at about $30,000 and the concrete work cost about $12,500.

The Dismal Nitch sculpture was completed in August and spent the winter on display at the Pacific County Museum. It was placed at its permanent site about two months ago.

The attention to detail is what will stand out to most people, said Jim Sayce, who works as liaison to the Lewis and Clark park for the state’s Historical Society. Sayce said there are more than a dozen individual figures in the relief.

“This appeals to the visual side of things, while most of the (Lewis and Clark) bicentennial is based on journals,” Sayce said. “It’s a different way to look at the world.”

Curtiss, who said he spent about five years working on the sculpture, has sculptures on display at two other Lewis and Clark park sites.

“I thought it was cool — the notion of having a sculpture put in a place called Dismal Nitch,” Curtiss said.

The Pacific Northwest Living Historians will be at the Dismal Nitch site Saturday and Sunday to provide interpretive programs on the expedition.