Author Archives: Jim

Vancouver Lake South

Trails No Comments

The area on the south side of Vancouver Lake, essentially everything along Laframbois Road, is public land with many trails.  Land on the west side of Laframbois Road, and on the east side closest to Vancouver Lake, is owned by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, and is managed for deer and bird hunting.  Land to the east of Laframbois Road is mostly owned by the City of Vancouver and Clark County.  A portion of City land appears to be leased for agricultural production.

There are many trails in this area that can be explored, just be aware that much of the land is managed for hunting.  As I wandered the trails, I saw many birds.  Sparrows, swallows, swans, geese, ducks, great blue herons, hawks, harriers, and a pheasant that was staying near the entry gate, as if greeting new arrivals.

  • Pheasant by Laframbrois Rd.
  • Wetland south of Vancouver Lake
  • A foggy morning south of Vancouver Lake
  • A foggy morning south of Vancouver Lake
  • A foggy morning south of Vancouver Lake
  • A foggy on the shore of Vancouver Lake
  • A foggy morning trail near Vancouver Lake

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge River S Unit

Trails No Comments

The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge South Unit located just south of downtown Ridgefield includes a driving tour and two trails.  Keep in mind that the refuge is primarily managed for the benefit of wildlife, so some areas are closed to access all year, and other areas are closed during certain seasons.

The main attraction for visiting the South Unit is the 4.2 mile driving tour. When you stop at the welcome center to make payment, it’s worthwhile to pick up one of the audio CDs at the information kiosk, and play the CD in your car while driving the route.  I also suggest using an electric vehicle and driving very slowly.  Allow yourself a couple hours to make the tour, so that you have time to stop and watch.

During May to September you can walk the route.  Note that Bicycles, jogging, pets and horse riding are not allowed in the refuge as these can disrupt the wildlife.

There are two places on the drive to stop and get out of your car.  The first is a short walk to a viewing blind, where you can observe wildlife in the neighboring grasslands.  I was there last spring and was able to watch the sparrows up close that were nesting in the bird blind.  Last time I visited there, a couple deer seemed to treat it as an opportunity to observe the humans.

The second stop (open May 1 to September 30) is the Kiwa Lake Trail.  This trail loops about a mile and a quarter through a grassy wetland giving you opportunity to observe the birds and enjoy nature.  This area is also open to water fowl hunting during hunting season.

For the latest updates on work being done, and to check if trails or access is closed for work, see https://www.refuge2020.info/

  • Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge South Unit
  • Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge South Unit welcome center
  • The bridge to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge South Unit
  • Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge South Unit

Lacamas Heritage Trail (Camas)

Trails No Comments

The Heritage Trail runs the length of Lacamas Lake (3-1/4 miles).  This is a very popular jogging path.  Gravel and well maintained the full length.  On wet days there are quite a few puddles and some muddy leaves, but nothing difficult to get past.

The parking lot at the north end often fills up, with some people resorting to parking along the curb and on the passing road.

  • Lacamas Heritage Trail trailhead map.
  • Lacamas Heritage Trail
  • Lacamas Heritage Trail trailhead.
  • Lacamas Heritage Trail
  • Lacamas Heritage Trail passes over Tributary to Lacamas Creek.
  • Lacamas Heritage Trail runs alongside Lacamas Creek as it flows into Lacamas Lake.
  • Camp Currie across Lacamas Lake.
  • North end of Lacamas Lake.

Washington State University campus

Trails No Comments

The WSU Campus includes over six miles of trails.  On weekdays a parking pass is required to park on campus, but on the weekend no pass is required.

A good walk or bike ride is to start at either Pleasant Valley Community Park or Vista Meadows Neighborhood Park, walk through the WSU campus then up to the other park, turn around, and return taking another trail through WSU along the way.

  • Pleasant Valley Community Park.
  • Pleasant Valley Community Park, looking toward WSU.
  • Salmon Creek
  • Trail bridge across Salmon Creek.
  • This trail from WSU to Pleasant Valley Community Park crosses Salmon Creek Ave.
  • Looking towards the WSU campus from Salmon Creek Ave across conservation lands.
  • The path to WSU from Salmon Creek Ave passes through a forested area.
  • Artwork on WSU Campus
  • WSU Campus
Panorama of WSU Campus.
  • Looking southeast from WSU.
  • Wetland natural area on east side of WSU.
  • A foggy morning on WSU campus.
  • Fall on WSU campus.
  • Boardwalk trail on WSU campus.
  • Along Mill Creek on WSU campus.
  • Along Mill Creek on WSU campus.
  • Forest trail on WSU campus.
  • Along Mill Creek on WSU campus.
  • Trail on WSU campus.
  • The WSU campus includes several miles of trails.

Salmon Creek Greenway Trail

Trails No Comments

The Salmon Creek Greenway Trail offers a nice long walk or ride within the urban area of Vancouver.

  • Early morning on Salmon Creek
  • Early morning on the Salmon Creek Greenway Trail
  • Pasture in Salmon Creek Greenway
  • Start of a trail from NW 8th Place down to the Salmon Creek Greenway Trail.
  • Salmon Creek
  • Wide paved path of the Salmon Creek Greenway Trail
  • Great Blue Heron and Mallards in Salmon Creek.
  • Ducks, geese ans a snowy egret in Salmon Creek Greenway wetlands.
  • Salmon Creek wetlands hosting ducks, geese and snowy egrets.
  • Salmon Creek Greenway Trail

Lake Rosannah

Trails No Comments

Lake Rosannah (formerly known as Mud Lake) is protected by surrounding conservation lands and land managed for conservation purposes.  A short trail accesses the south end of the lake from Allen Canyon Road.

When I last visited beavers had fallen a tree across the trail.  No worries though.  I expect the beavers will have the tree removed within a few days.

This lake is where I have often seen flocks of swans.  It is quite a site to see when a flock that has been resting on the lake takes to wing.  Even from the far side of the lake they are impressive.

The lake is about 3/10ths of a mile from the road.  About a half mile from the road there is a nice spot to stop and enjoy the lake.  Beyond this point, the trail dwindles to a narrow path, which could be followed some distance further along the shoreline.

The area near the road, where the trail to the lake is located, is owned by the Columbia Land Trust.  The rest of the land surrounding the lake is owned by Plas Newdd Farm, is managed for natural resource conservation and closed to public access.

  • The trail to Lake Rosannah from Allen Canyon Road.
  • The trail to Lake Rosannah
  • Grassy wetland at the south end of Lake Rosannah.
  • A deer browsing near Lake Rosannah
  • Beavers blocked the trail to Lake Rosannah.
  • Lake Rosannah
  • Lake Rosannah
  • Lake Rosannah

Heritage Trail (La Center)

Trails No Comments

La Center’s Heritage Trail follows a wetland area for storm water management and at the west end walks through a stream-side forest corridor.

La Center’s Heritage Trail provides an attractive natural wetland area in the midst of residential development.
La Center’s Heritage Trail
Heritage Trail east of Aspen Ave is a wide paved path, level and easy to walk or ride.
The wetland area is great to walk alongside, but do not cross the fence. Let nature be nature.
The Heritage Trail east of Aspen Ave follows along side a stormwater management wetland area.
Heritage Trail crossing Aspen Ave.
The Heritage Trail west of Aspen is a wide dirt and gravel path through forest.
Toward the west end of La Center’s Heritage Trail.

There are multiple access points for the trail, and it can make for a nice leisurely walk. Please note that at the west end the trail ends at private property. Please respect the landowner by not crossing beyond the No Trespassing signs. This not a through public trail.

If you are walking east on the Heritage Trail, when you reach E Heritage Loop, turn right, then left onto E 14th Circle.  At the end of E 14th Circle you can continue onto the path that leads to the Brezee Creek Trail.

Brezee Creek Trail

Trails No Comments

Located in La Center, connecting from E. 4th St near the Middle School going a little over a half mile up the creek valley to E. 14th Circle for a 190ft elevation gain.

  • Brezee Creek Trail in La Center is a wide gravel trail. Easy to walk, but steep in places.
  • Scenery along the Brezee Creek Trail.
  • A picnic table and many benches dot the Brezee Creek Trail.
  • Brezee Creek Trail includes some steep climbs.

Marine Drive

Trails No Comments

Portland’s Marine Drive has a bike path along several miles, but there is also a trail that can be walked that lies between the Marine Drive bike path and the river’s edge.

  • Bike path just east of 33rd Ave.
  • The bike path starts near the west end of the Portland Airport.
  • Don’t be surprised if you look through the fence around the airport and see coyotes.

There is space for several cars to park at the west end of the Marine Drive bike path by 33rd Ave.  An underpass under 33rd Ave makes it easy to park here and either walk or bike to the east.

Broughton Park has a large parking lot, with a fee for parking.  From here, you have options for walking to the east.  Follow the paved bike path, the dirt trail, or the sandy beach (depending on water level).

The dirt trail can be followed about a mile and a quarter to the east.  The paved bike path goes about 4 miles to where it then connects with bike paths along I-205 going south and north crossing the Columbia River.

An interesting bike ride is to start at 33rd, follow the bike path east, then cross the Columbia River and turn around when you reach the neighborhood streets in Vancouver.  This makes for a nearly 16 mile round trip on a separated paved bike path that only requires 2 crossings of Marine Drive in each direction, and no other street crossings.

Starting on the Washington side of the river, there is space for a few cars to park at the end of SE 23rd St.  From there, follow the I-205 Multi-Use Path across the Columbia River.  You can choose to take the path along Marine Drive, or south along I-205.

Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Trails No Comments

Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Note that the refuge is managed for the benefit of the wildlife, so access is limited.  There are three trails for viewing the refuge.  The Gibbons Creek Art Trail which connects the parking area with the dike (1.1 mile) is open year round.  The seasonal spur trail is only open from May 1 to September 30.  To walk down the Gibbons Creek trail, out the spur trail, along the dike trail, then returning on Gibbons Creek trail is a 2.8 mile walk.  The dike trail is open year round and connects to the west to reach Captain William Clark Park and Steamboat Landing Park (3.7 miles).

For the latest updates on work being done, and to check if trails or access is closed for work, see https://www.refuge2020.info/

Note:  Horse riding, bicycles and leashed pets are only allowed on the Columbia River Dike trail and not on other trails in the refuge.

  • Map at the entrance to Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
  • Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
  • Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
  • Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
  • Goose found a perch at Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
  • Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
  • A resident of Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
  • A resident of Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge