McLane Nature Trail

If you’re looking for a hidden place to go hiking that is near campus but not actually on campus look no further than the McLane Creek Nature Trail. McLane Creek is a salmon-bearing creek, so during salmon spawning season you can catch a glimpse of the salmon life cycle (although be forewarned it is a stinky experience!) You can also see newts in the wetlands all around the nature trail! There are a ton of cool plants growing along the trail and in the marshy areas. There are some massive old growth cedar stumps (one even big enough and rotted through the middle that you can sit inside of it!). Every time I’ve been there, I’ve seen two parties or less, so it really is a quiet place to walk or sit and think or even do reading. There are a lot of benches for just that purpose. Also dogs are allowed (on leash) so you can bring your furry friends. The trail is only 1.5 miles if you take the longest route, but there are shorter loops.

If you are looking for a more structured walk and find yourself wanting to learn more about the native plants of the PNW, check out McLane Creek’s Native Plant Walks put on by the the Native Plant Salvage Foundation. I talked about these a little bit in my post about foraging in the Evergreen woods, but truly they are amazing so here’s some more information. These walks are very friendly for people of any and all abilities. Some trails are ADA accessible and they walk extremely slow, looking at and discussing the flora.  Beth, the assistant manager of the Organic Farm at TESC, is a part of these tours, often leading them. The first one of the 2018 season will be on Thursday April 26 at 6pm. These walks go one every thirst Thursday of the month, April through August. Going to multiple (or all!) of these walks is really cool too because you get to see all of the plants at their various stages of life from dormant to pushing bud to flowering to fruiting. If you want more information on this, check out the Native Plant Salvage Foundation’s website on these walks.

Skunk Cabbage growing at McLane Creek Nature Trail

HOW TO GET TO McLANE CREEK NATURE TRAIL FROM CAMPUS:

From McCann Plaza Dr NW (off of which, B and C lots are located) take the first exit (left) on the roundabout onto Evergreen Parkway NW (same as if you were trying to get to 101 or I-5) (1.5 miles). Take the ramp for 101 N/Aberdeen/Port Angeles.  Turn right onto Mud Bay Rd, and almost immediately (0.1 mile) turn left again onto Delphi Road.  Follow Delphi for 3.3 miles.  Look for “McLane Creek” sign on your right; turn right onto nature preserve’s roadway and follow 0.4 miles to the lower parking area.

*It is part of Capitol State Forest, so you do need a Discover Pass to be able to park there.