Nature Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Although the trail begins at a rather slight grade it increases a great deal as you make your way up the side of the canyon. It can be somewhat rocky—and therefore slick—when wet and or muddy.

Near the 3 & 1/2-mile marker of the Leif Erickson trail, this trail winds up the south side of a canyon, beginning near Rocking Chair Creek Dam. The creek runs fairly clear much of the year, but can get rather muddy during the winter and spring rainy season. It is a very picturesque creek and offers views that are pleasing to the eyes.

Although the trail begins at a rather slight grade it increases a great deal as you make your way up the side of the canyon. It can be somewhat rockyand therefore slickwhen wet and or muddy. The sides of the canyon wall offer views of layers of the Columbia River Basalt and some rockslides are present at the bottom.

After leaving Rocking Chair Creek about one-third the way up, the trail starts numerous switchbacks and offers pleasant views of the trail below. It gently winds up to a meadow near Firelane 1, which also is where the Wildwood National Recreation Trail enters. There are numerous picnic tables and benches in this meadow, which offer opportunities for resting and enjoying the surrounding forest sights and sounds.

Not too far from the top, you'll come to a short tie trail that connects to the Wildwood. It is a very short segmentonly about 200 feet and flatso take advantage of this opportunity while there.

Big Leaf Maple, Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, and some very impressive Douglas Firs line the trail. There are many types of forest plants, such as Thimbleberry, Crooked Twisted Stalk, Sword and Maidenhair Ferns along the trail; seasonal wildflowers include the Western Trillium. A variety of fungi may be seen, such as Artists Conk, growing on the downed trees as well as some standing timber.

Signs of Raccoon, Coyote, and Black-Tailed Deer are common and a chickaree (Douglas Squirrel) would not be unusual.

Big Leaf Maple, Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, and some very impressive Douglas Firs line the trail. There are many types of forest plants, such as Thimbleberry, Crooked Twisted Stalk, Sword and Maidenhair Ferns along the trail; seasonal wildflowers include the Western Trillium. A variety of fungi may be seen, such as Artists Conk, growing on the downed trees as well as some standing timber.

Signs of Raccoon, Coyote, and Black-Tailed Deer are common and a chickaree (Douglas Squirrel) would not be unusual.