Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Carty Unit

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The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Carty Unit located just north of downtown Ridgefield includes several nice hiking 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 Cathlapotle Plankhouse was built as a reconstruction of a traditional native structure and provides a great educational resource.  Trails north of the plankhouse wind through forest and riparian areas.  This is a popular bird watching area, and for good reason.  Decades ago I used to walk out this trail to sit and watch the beavers as they worked in the large wetland area.  That wetland has now largely transformed into grassland and the beavers have moved on.

There are about 2 miles of trails in the area north of the Plankhouse which wind through the forest and around Lancaster lake.   North of the refuge is land managed for resource conservation, so some trails are closed to access at that point.  Be aware also that there is Poison Oak in the area, and some trails may be closed to manage vegetation.

Within the next couple years, a trail connecting the Carty Unit entrance to downtown Ridgefield will be completed, and a connecting trail through the unit, around the west side of Carty Lake connecting to the Port of Ridgefield will be completed.  This will make for a nice approximately 2 mile loop trail that can be walked from Ridgefield through the refuge.

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 Carty Unit
  • Bridge to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Carty Unit
  • Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Carty Unit
  • Big old Oak tree at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Carty Unit
  • Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Carty Unit
  • Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Carty Unit trails include markers to identify plants and trees.
  • Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Carty Unit
  • Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Carty Unit
  • Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge Carty Unit – swans
  • Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge Carty Unit – swans in the distance
  • Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge at the Port of Ridgefield

 

Paradise Point State Park

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Paradise Point State Park

The park includes a camping area, and a popular swimming hole on the East Fork Lewis River.  There are also a few trails to explore.  One trail parallels the freeway, offering a good climb.  A loop can be walked. If you start at the parking Day Use parking area, you can walk up the road a short distance to the trail on your right. Take that trail up a climb, over the hill, then down to cross the road, through the woods to the small waterfall. From there, go down to the river and follow the river trail back to the Day Use area. You can extend the loop by following trails up to the campground area, and out into the neighboring Clark County Legacy Lands (the neighboring fields).

The state park is bordered by land owned by Clark County as part of their Legacy Lands program.  Some of this land is across the river from the park and more is up river from the park.

Trails in the park are mapped on trails.com. The map embedded below shows an approximation of the location of trails within the park.

  • East Fork Lewis River, just upriver from Paradise Point State Park.
  • Paradise Point State Park Disc Golf course
  • Paradise Point State Park, East Fork Lewis River under I-5.
  • Paradise Point State Park, going east. Cross this picnic area to a trail along the East Fork Lewis River.
  • East Fork Lewis River from the road into Paradise Point State Park.
  • Paradise Point State Park, trail parallel to I-5.
  • Paradise Point State Park, trail parallel to I-5.
  • Paradise Point State Park, view from trail parallel to I-5.
  • Clark County Legacy Lands next to Paradise Point State Park
  • A trail in Paradise Point State Park
  • Map of trails posted at Paradise Point State Park campground.

Battle Ground Lake State Park

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Battle Ground Lake State Park

This is one of my favorite places to go for a good walk.  Several trails loop around the park, allowing you to not only make a loop hike, but to loop around the Lake three times without walking the same trails twice.

Most of the outermost trails are open to horses and mountain bikes, and are also easy trails for walking.  The trails closest to the lake are closed to horses and bikes, but can also be difficult to maneuver if you have any trouble with rough terrain.

The State Park charges a day use fee or Discover Pass.

The smallest loop around the lake will take you about a mile and a quarter (including the walk from where you park), and the largest loop is about 2-1/2 miles.  The park trails are pretty well mapped in Google Maps.

In addition to trails around the lake, there is the Chelatchie Rail Trail, a 1 mile paved path following the railroad to the east of the park.

  • Battle Ground Lake State Park
  • Battle Ground Lake
  • Battle Ground Lake
  • Trail in Battle Ground Lake State Park

Discovery Historic Loop Trail

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Discovery Historic Loop Trail

This short loop trail is a flat paved walk of just over 1 mile for the full loop.  Note that when crossing Andresen Road, you need to either cross at the marked cross walk near the trailhead, or walk a half block north to 18th St and cross at the lighted intersection.

There are three places to park for this trail. 

  1. The very small gravel lot just off of Andresen Rd at the trailhead.  This lot can only be entered when driving south on Andresen Rd, and when you leave the lot you can only turn south onto Andresen Rd.
  2. A larger gravel lot at the end of NE 65th Ave, south of E 18th St.
  3. A third option, is to park at the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail on NE Devine Rd, and walk to the Discovery Loop Trail.  This is about a half mile to the west, so walking from there, around the loop trail, and back is just over 2 miles.

The Burnt Bridge Creek Trail extends both west and east of the Discovery Trail.

  • Discovery Trail and Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway Trail.
  • Map sign on the Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway Trail.
  • Discovery Trail and Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway Trail.
  • Along the Discovery Trail and Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway Trail.
  • Discover Trail and the Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway Trail.
  • Side trails along the Discovery Trail.
  • Pond on Burnt Bridge Creek at the Discovery Trail.
  • The Duck Pond at the Discovery Trail on Burnt Bridge Creek.
  • The Discover Loop Trail crosses Andresen Road, but not here. Go up to the intersection of the crosswalk to cross.
  • Andresen Road at Burnt Bridge Creek
  • Ducks on Burnt Bridge Creek by Andresen Road.

Burnt Bridge Creek Trail

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Burnt Bridge Creek Trail connects with several other trails.  A complete walk or ride from Fruit Valley Road to Burton Road is 8 miles.  There are several places where you could choose to pick up the trail and do it in sections, and options to take side trails for added loops.

Two of the connecting side trails are the Ellen Davis Trail and the Discovery Loop Trail.  The route passes through Leverich Park, Arnold Park and Meadowbrook Marsh Park.  Some side trails explore these parks or connect to other nearby parks.

  • Burnt Bridge Creek Trailhead at Lakeshore Ave and Bernie Drive.
  • Burnt Bridge Creek wetland at west end.
  • Burnt Bridge Creek Trail
  • An area off Burnt Bridge Creek Trail used for mountain bike sports.
  • Burnt Bridge Creek valley, a popular place to walk dogs.
  • Burnt Bridge Creek Trail continues east from Alki Road.
  • Burnt Bridge Creek by Alki Road.

Vancouver Lake Regional Park

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Vancouver Lake Regional Park

This park includes great paths to walk the lakefront, including sandy beeches.  If go south, you can walk anther 2-1/2 miles across to Frenchman’s Bar and explore the Columbia River beeches there.  To the north is a trail through the forest, which can make for a shaded walk on a sunny day, including a couple side trails.

If you park at Vancouver Lake Regional Park you will need to pay the $3 parking fee.  If you just want to walk the trails, you can instead either park at one of the open parking areas to the south of the Park, near the turn of Lower River Road, or go north 1-1/2 miles past the main park entrance where there is a trail on the right.

Salmon Creek Regional Park / Klineline Pond

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Salmon Creek Regional Park / Klineline Pond

The Salmon Creek Greenway Trail gives you miles of trails to walk.  Most trails are wide paved paths, but some are gravel and dirt paths.

Note that if you park at Klineline Pond there is a parking fee.  If you go 2000ft west you can park at the recreation center parking lot for free.

You can go west along the greenway trail to 36th Ave (about 3 miles), or east past Klineline Pond, under the freeway, and explore trails in the east pond area along Salmon Creek.

Pleasant Valley Community Park

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Pleasant Valley Community Park is the east end of a trail that connects to Salmon Creek and the Washington State University campus.

Park at the corner of NE 143rd Circle and NE 47th Ave.  Walk the path west about 1000ft through the park, then turn right to go down the hill towards Salmon Creek.  Another thousand feet gets you to the bridge over Salmon Creek.  There is a crosswalk with crossing signal to help you safely cross NE Salmon Creek Ave.  Follow the path another 2000ft to the road leading up to Washington State University.  Once you reach the WSU campus, you will find several miles of trails to explore.

  • Pleasant Valley Community Park.
  • Pleasant Valley Community Park, looking toward WSU.
  • Trail bridge across Salmon Creek.
  • Salmon Creek
  • This trail from WSU to Pleasant Valley Community Park crosses Salmon Creek Ave.