Hike of the Week: Federation Forest
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| Federation Forest invites hikers to its old-growth groves |
Federation Forest
Accessible old-growth hiking
by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin
January 27, 2006
Quick Facts
Location: Federation Forest State Park, White River Valley
Land Agency: Washington State Parks
Roundtrip: 5.0 miles
Elevation gain: 150 feet
Access: From Enumclaw follow SR 410 east for 17 miles. If park gate is closed-parking is available .5 miles to the west off of SR 410.
Special Note: Dogs must be on a leash. Washington State Park Pass Required.
Green Trail Map: Greenwater, WA- No. 238
Low-country old-growth forests are as common in Washington as common sense is in Washington D.C. Most of the Evergreen State’s lowland forests have been paved over or cut over. If you’re looking for old-growth-your best bet is in our national parks and wilderness areas. And even in these places, low country primeval forests are rare.
Many of our old-growth reserves are buried deep in snow right now; your options for hiking in them are pretty limited this time of year. However, a little jewel of a park in the White River Valley contains more than 600 acres of virgin forest and a network of trails traversing them.
The Federation Forest State Park is just 17 miles east of Enumclaw on Highway 410. It’s a preserve of ancient forest surrounded by miles of Weyerhaeuser clear-cuts and stump-fields. The park is accessible all year. It rarely snows here. About 6 miles of trails in three loops lace the park. They originate from the park’s Catherine Montgomery Interpretive Center, an excellent place for familiarizing yourself with not only the park’s forest but the seven biotic life zones of Washington as well. After you spend time in the interpretive center, head for the adjacent Fred Cleator Interpretive trails. You can take a guide book with you (available on loan from the center) for identifying plants and characteristics of the native forest.
The Cleator trails are divided into two loops. The East Loop is only three-eights of a mile long, but don’t skip it or you’ll miss some huge Sitka spruce (rare this far inland). The West Loop is about 1 mile and it includes giant Douglas fir and spectacular vistas of the roaring White River. Between the two short loops, eight distinct forest communities are traversed.
For an extended hike you can continue on the Naches Trail. This trail follows the north bank of the White River for 2.5 miles through the park. Much of the trail follows the original route of the Naches Trail, an early pioneer path that connected Fort Walla Walla to Fort Steilacoom in the 1850s. The Naches Trail was used for 30 years as a shortcut to Puget Sound by pioneers coming west via the Overland trails. The Longmire party was the first to arrive in the Puget Sound basin using this rough trail. James Longmire would later develop tourist facilities in what would become Mount Rainier National Park.
Some of the original trail can be seen along the way. The original path outside of the state park has been obliterated, including the section running through Naches Pass. The U.S. Forest Service, which administers the trail through the pass, allowed this historic legacy to be destroyed by off-road vehicles.
The Naches Trail within Federation Forest State Park can be combined with a parallel trail that runs on the north side of Highway 410, making a 5-mile loop. However, this alternative return receives little maintenance so be prepared for some slow going. It can be muddy and covered with fallen trees. Nevertheless it still makes for a wonderful loop hike in a most accessible forest.
