Difference between revisions of "Mima Falls Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | First logged at the end of the 19th century, the Black Hills southwest of Olympia soon saw extensive clearcutting, some major fires, and 100 miles of logging railroad. Most of what is now the Capitol State Forest was purchased in 1933 at 50 cents an acre. This is a working forest, with timber funds going into the state education system and the local economy. A network of trails, horse/hiker/biker in the central section and ATV in the northern section, allows the public explore the property. The loop described here will take you through some replanted clearcuts, but also some older coniferous forest as well as the boggy bottomlands of the East Fork Mima Creek and its tributaries. The destination is the pretty but diminutive [[Mima Falls]], but the loop continues through shady ridgetop woodland and along old logging railroad grades. The trails can get quite muddy in the wet season, when horses are not permitted. Trail names have changed in recent years, so make sure you have a current map. Relevant junctions are clearly signed, and most have trail maps showing your location. | + | First logged at the end of the 19th century, the Black Hills southwest of Olympia soon saw extensive clearcutting, some major fires, and 100 miles of logging railroad. Most of what is now the Capitol State Forest was purchased by the state in 1933 at 50 cents an acre. This is a working forest, with timber funds going into the state education system and the local economy. A network of trails, horse/hiker/biker in the central section and ATV in the northern section, allows the public explore the property. The loop described here will take you through some replanted clearcuts, but also some older coniferous forest as well as the boggy bottomlands of the East Fork Mima Creek and its tributaries. The destination is the pretty but diminutive [[Mima Falls]], but the loop continues through shady ridgetop woodland and along old logging railroad grades. The trails can get quite muddy in the wet season, when horses are not permitted. Trail names have changed in recent years, so make sure you have a current map. Relevant junctions are clearly signed, and most have trail maps showing your location. |
An in-out hike to [[Mima Falls]] using the Mima Falls East Trail is only 4.2 miles. | An in-out hike to [[Mima Falls]] using the Mima Falls East Trail is only 4.2 miles. | ||
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Return to the [[Mima Falls West-Mima Falls East-Mima Falls Tie Trail Junction]], and make a sharp left on the Mima Falls Tie Trail. Hike up a Douglas-fir/sword fern slope, switchback, and traverse up above a bowl with a mossy tangle of vine maples. Continue along a ridge crest, where you may hear gunfire from the Evergreen Sportsman’s Club. Drop off the ridge, and wind down a slope before gradually rising in mature forest above a pond and wetland. Make another gradual descent under maples and hemlocks down a creek valley to reach the [[Campground-Mima Falls Tie Trail Junction]] on the E-9000 road. | Return to the [[Mima Falls West-Mima Falls East-Mima Falls Tie Trail Junction]], and make a sharp left on the Mima Falls Tie Trail. Hike up a Douglas-fir/sword fern slope, switchback, and traverse up above a bowl with a mossy tangle of vine maples. Continue along a ridge crest, where you may hear gunfire from the Evergreen Sportsman’s Club. Drop off the ridge, and wind down a slope before gradually rising in mature forest above a pond and wetland. Make another gradual descent under maples and hemlocks down a creek valley to reach the [[Campground-Mima Falls Tie Trail Junction]] on the E-9000 road. | ||
| − | Cross the road, and head down the Campground Trail, here a narrower tread in a shady big-leaf maple woodland. Soon you’ll find yourself on the track of an old logging railroad, passing through cuttings and hiking along low embankments with water-filled ditches on either side. Pass an old trail sign – this used to be the Green Line 6-A. Hike below a sword fern slope to reach a recently planted clearcut and cross the E-9000 road again. In a short distance, you’ll again cross this road and pass into another young plantation. Keep right at the [[Campground-Equine Loop Connector Trail Junction]], cross a footbridge, and rise gradually on an old road bed. Enter dense young Douglas-fir woods, and keep left at the junction with the Happy Horse Trail. Soon arrive at the [[Mima Falls East-Campground Trail Junction]], and go left to return to the parking area. | + | Cross the road, and head down the Campground Trail, here a narrower tread in a shady big-leaf maple woodland. Soon you’ll find yourself on the track of an old logging railroad, passing through cuttings and hiking along low embankments with water-filled ditches on either side. Pass an old trail sign – this used to be the Green Line 6-A. Hike below a sword fern slope to reach a recently planted clearcut, and cross the E-9000 road again. In a short distance, you’ll again cross this road and pass into another young plantation. Keep right at the [[Campground-Equine Loop Connector Trail Junction]], cross a footbridge, and rise gradually on an old road bed. Enter dense young Douglas-fir woods, and keep left at the junction with the Happy Horse Trail. Soon arrive at the [[Mima Falls East-Campground Trail Junction]], and go left to return to the parking area. |
Revision as of 03:21, 18 May 2018
- Start point: Mima Falls Trailhead
- End point: Mima Falls
- Trail Log:
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 6.5 miles
- High point: 650 feet
- Elevation gain: 795 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
First logged at the end of the 19th century, the Black Hills southwest of Olympia soon saw extensive clearcutting, some major fires, and 100 miles of logging railroad. Most of what is now the Capitol State Forest was purchased by the state in 1933 at 50 cents an acre. This is a working forest, with timber funds going into the state education system and the local economy. A network of trails, horse/hiker/biker in the central section and ATV in the northern section, allows the public explore the property. The loop described here will take you through some replanted clearcuts, but also some older coniferous forest as well as the boggy bottomlands of the East Fork Mima Creek and its tributaries. The destination is the pretty but diminutive Mima Falls, but the loop continues through shady ridgetop woodland and along old logging railroad grades. The trails can get quite muddy in the wet season, when horses are not permitted. Trail names have changed in recent years, so make sure you have a current map. Relevant junctions are clearly signed, and most have trail maps showing your location.
An in-out hike to Mima Falls using the Mima Falls East Trail is only 4.2 miles.
Hike past the kiosk, which displays a good map of the area, and enter a thicket of young maples and red osier dogwood which transitions to a Douglas-fir plantation. A few older trees stand starkly in isolation. Cross an old logging road, and then dip to the Mima Falls East-Campground Trail Junction, where you’ll keep left.
Hike through a carpet of salal, and pass the junction with the Happy Horse connector trail. Reach the E-9000 road, and walk right for 45 yards before resuming the Mima Falls East Trail. Wind up under older alder trees, and enter a stand of mature Douglas-firs. You’ll see a large pond down to your left as you traverse through salmonberry and sword fern. Make two looping biker’s switchbacks down, and cross a creek on a substantial footbridge. Switchback up twice to enter another Douglas-fir plantation (Look for raptors gliding over these more open clearings). Hike above an alder/skunk-cabbage wetland on the East Fork Mima Creek. There are more venerable Douglas-firs and cedars in this area. Come to the Mima Falls West-Mima Falls East-Mima Falls Tie Trail Junction, where you should keep left on the Mima Falls West Trail.
Cross a footbridge over the East Fork Mima Creek, and keep left at a junction with a maintenance trail. Pass under vine maple bowers, and soon arrive at a picnic table above 25-foot Mima Falls. A scramble trail leads down for a better view of the falls and, on the main trail, there’s a footbridge that crosses the East Fork Mima Creek. A sign warns that continuing on the Mima Falls West Trail will take you on a much longer loop where many previous hikers have gotten lost.
Return to the Mima Falls West-Mima Falls East-Mima Falls Tie Trail Junction, and make a sharp left on the Mima Falls Tie Trail. Hike up a Douglas-fir/sword fern slope, switchback, and traverse up above a bowl with a mossy tangle of vine maples. Continue along a ridge crest, where you may hear gunfire from the Evergreen Sportsman’s Club. Drop off the ridge, and wind down a slope before gradually rising in mature forest above a pond and wetland. Make another gradual descent under maples and hemlocks down a creek valley to reach the Campground-Mima Falls Tie Trail Junction on the E-9000 road.
Cross the road, and head down the Campground Trail, here a narrower tread in a shady big-leaf maple woodland. Soon you’ll find yourself on the track of an old logging railroad, passing through cuttings and hiking along low embankments with water-filled ditches on either side. Pass an old trail sign – this used to be the Green Line 6-A. Hike below a sword fern slope to reach a recently planted clearcut, and cross the E-9000 road again. In a short distance, you’ll again cross this road and pass into another young plantation. Keep right at the Campground-Equine Loop Connector Trail Junction, cross a footbridge, and rise gradually on an old road bed. Enter dense young Douglas-fir woods, and keep left at the junction with the Happy Horse Trail. Soon arrive at the Mima Falls East-Campground Trail Junction, and go left to return to the parking area.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Mima Falls Trail System (Washington DNR)
- Capitol State Forest Recreation & Trails Map (Washington DNR)
- Washington Department of Natural Resources: Capitol State Forest
Regulations or restrictions, etc
- $10 day-use pass or annual Discover Pass required
- Dogs on leash
- Share trails with bikes and horses (Trails closed to horses Dec. 1st to April 30th)
- Vault toilet at trailhead, information kiosk with maps, picnic table at falls, campground nearby
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Mima Falls Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Mima Falls Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Urban Trails: Olympia by Craig Romano
More Links
- Mima Falls (Washington Trails Association)
- “Mima Falls Loop in Capitol State Forest offers a peaceful hike” (The Olympian)
- Mima Falls (The Mountaineers)
- Mima Falls Trailhead – Capitol State Forest (Hiking With My Brother)
- Mima Falls Trail (Pacific North Wanderers)
- Mima Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey)
- Capitol State Forest (Washington DNR)
- Capitol Forest History (Capitol Forest.com)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)