Walking “The Trail”

April 25, 2018

We are enjoying beautiful (dare I say summer) weather this week and so I am writing about getting outdoors this week.  Stillwaters residents have many great options for getting outdoors, not the least of which is right in this neighborhood.  Walking around Stillwaters is a great past-time, enjoyed by many residents.

Also, there is great walking at Borst Park, just off Harrison or at the Chehalis airport – walking the Levee loop trail.  Today though I want to talk about an under-appreciated trail known as the Willapa Hills State Park Trail.

This trail runs east to west from Chehalis to the town of South Bend. To enjoy the trail though you only have to wander a few miles down the road from Stillwaters, to the trail head at SW Hillburger Road.

From the State Park website:

The 22 miles between Chehalis and Pe Ell and the first five miles from South Bend to Raymond are fully developed for hiking, cycling and equestrian use.

Beginning in urban Chehalis, the paved trail heads west through the farmlands of Adna. Restored bridges take travelers over rivers and streams before the trail enters the cool, forested Willapa Hills…  The Chehalis – Pe Ell route can be accessed at several points – Chehalis just west of I-5, Adna at mile 5, Ceres Hill at mile 10.6, Rainbow Falls State Park at mile 16, Meskill at mile 18 and Pe Ell at mile 22. The developed trail ends at the tiny town of Pe Ell.

The Willapa Hills Trail is one of five long-distance rail-trails managed by Washington State Parks. Willapa Hills is a key element of State Parks’ long-term plan for a cross-state trail network from the Idaho Border to the Pacific Ocean.

Just want a little jaunt:

Walking just the first few miles of the trail out of Chehalis means you get a good walking surface and a flat trail.  Bike or walk the trail – get out and enjoy.

And Another Thing:

The weekend of June 23rd and 24th there is a bike ride on the trail called the “Ride the Willapa”.  This is a family friendly event – not a race, but an adventure.  Along the way there are farms to visit on their Tour De Farms (yummy sampling) and a camp out Saturday night at Rainbow falls.  Click HERE for more information about this fun and casual bike ride.  Even if you are not a bike rider this would be a good event to share with family.  They might come for the bike ride and then stop off to visit with you!

Quote of the Week:

Just living is not enough…one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.  – Hans Christian Andersen