Salmon-Morgan Creeks Loop Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Redcedar Trailhead
- End point: Morgan Creek
- Hike Type: Two loops
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 60 feet
- High point: 305 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
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Hike Description
This 81-acre forested property southeast of Battle Ground has been saved from development and now protects the confluence of Salmon and Morgan Creeks. While the woodland here was logged a century ago, a mature forest has developed dominated by western red-cedar. The eastern half of the property has more deciduous trees, especially alders. Forest wildflowers bloom here in the spring, and invasive species have yet to take hold (use the boot brush at the trailhead), but trails can be squishy in places during the wet season. There are two trailheads, but the main reason for parking at the Fir Loop Trailhead would be to use the picnic tables there.
From the Redcedar Trailhead, follow the path into the woodland and dip past a seasonal pond. Reach a junction with the Alder Trail, and turn right. You’ll pass a big-leaf maple shooting sprouts all up and down its trunk. Pass the beginning of the Alder Loop, keeping right. A spur left leads to a viewpoint from a high bluff looking down to Salmon Creek, just west of its confluence with Morgan Creek. Continue east in a cedar/hemlock forest to the junction which begins the Fir Loop. An interpretive sign here describes the western red-cedar.
Head right, and travel gently downhill to two picnic tables installed by Boy Scouts. The Fir Loop Trailhead is to your right, but continue on the trail through lovely cedar groves with a few Douglas-firs, western hemlocks, and big-leaf maples. Sword fern dominates in the understory. A spur leads right to the cedar-shaded bank of Morgan Creek, and a few yards later, another spur takes you down to a little beach on the creek. Then make a sharp turn left up a gentle slope in a carpet of oxalis (ignore unsigned user trails). Close the Fir Loop at the interpretive sign for red-cedar, and keep going to the beginning of the Alder Loop, where you’ll stay right.
Stay right at the next junction, and keep walking on a somewhat boggy trail. The path passes through a stand of red alder and then enters a dense wood of young conifers. You’ll pass across a flat area colonized by paper birches. Enter another dark wood, and keep left at the next junction – the well used trail to the right leads out of the natural area. (You can extend your outing by taking this trail to cross the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad to an old golf course that has become a park - see the Gordy Jolma Loop Hike.)
Staying within the natural area, you’ll see the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad to the right as you swish through sword ferns. The route now follows an old road bed, which crosses a small creek in a very boggy area. Soon, you’ll enter a lovely shady cedar forest again. A junction sign directs you back to the Redcedar Trailhead.
Maps
Regulations, fees, etc
- Open 7:00 a.m. to dusk
- Dogs on leash
- Picnic tables, interpretive signs
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Salmon-Morgan Creeks
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Salmon-Morgan Creeks
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Urban Trails: Vancouver by Craig Romano
More Links
- Salmon-Morgan Creeks Natural Area (Clark County)
- Salmon-Morgan Creeks Natural Area (Washington Trails Association)
- Salmon-Morgan Creeks Trail (All Trails)
- Salmon-Morgan Creeks Natural Area (Jim’s Trails)
- “Natural area a hidden gem south of Battle Ground” (The Columbian)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)