Revision as of 16:10, 23 March 2007

• Start point: Ridgefield Trailhead
• End point: Ridgefield Camas Rock
• Trail Log: Trail Log
• Hike Type: Loop
• Distance: 2.0 miles
• Elevation gain: 100 feet
• Difficulty: "easy" is not in the list of possible values (Easy, Moderate, Difficult, Very Difficult) for this property.
• Seasons: Most of the trail year-round, north end Mar-Sep.
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: No
• Crowded: Yes

Hike Description

Reconstructed Cathlapotle lodge

This is an interesting low elevation hike with quite a few things to see. The 5,217 acre Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge consists of five units. This hike explores the Carty Unit.

The hike starts at the Ridgefield Trailhead, about a mile north of the town of Ridgefield. The trail immediately crosses a rather steep footbridge over the BNSF Railway. You can expect to see trains from BNSF, Union Pacific and Amtrak from several places on this hike, but they cause surprisingly little commotion. The footbridge can be slick in icy weather, but solid handrails and metal treads in the surface keep things pretty easy. At the end of the bridge turn right on to the "Oaks to Wetlands Wildlife Trail" This trail is well named and you'll pass under one of the big oaks right away.

In just a few steps, you'll come to a recreated Native American plankhouse. When Lewis and Clark traveled through this area in 1806, they paused at a large village named Cathlapotle, near here on the shore of the Columbia River. Cathlapotle today is one of the best-preserved Native American sites in the Northwest United States, although it is not open to visitors. This plankhouse is an authentic recreation built in 2002 and 2003, by mostly volunteer labor. It's normally closed, but there are common special events when the plankhouse is open.

Beyond the plankhouse, the trail continues north. In a short distance there's a [[Ridgefield Loop Junction|trail junction where the ends of this loop trail meet. For this hike follow the arrow and take the right hand, higher fork. The trail weaves through native oaks with bows that stretch impossibly long horizontal distances. Small informational signs label many kinds of flora. In many places, the trail is cut through invasive blackberries. Look for rabbits and small birds making a life under the tangles of berry vines. The two legs of the loop come together in a bit to cross a small bridge. Turn right again when the trails separate once more.

Now the trail heads into more native growth. Signs label Douglas Fir, Big Leaf Maple and Western Red Cedar. There's another small bridge over a creek filled with Skunk Cabbage. The trail meanders over rock hills covered with wildflowers in the spring and around swampy areas, eventually coming to Boot Lake which is really an backwater of the Columbia River. During most of the winter, you can see various ducks, Canadian Geese and sometimes Swans wintering in the area. Often a break here to quietly eat lunch will be rewarded with an incoming flight of birds. There's a side path that heads eastward along the shore of the lake.

Soon, you'll come to a trail junction that carries a decision based on the calendar. A trail here ventures north on to private property. There are some beautiful spots on this trail and the landowners have graciously opened their land to the public in March-September. If you're visiting in those months, be sure to take the north trail. It leads a bit farther on Boot Lake and then curves around to a beautiful viewpoint I've labeled Ridgefield Camas Rock. This is a large moss covered lava viewpoint that blooms with camas and wild onion in late April. The view here from the purple flowered knoll across the water to other similar flowered rocks is truly a site to behold. From here the north trail loops around to rejoin the main trail. If you're visiting October-February, you can come straight across of a trail that stays on public land.

In either event the Oaks to Wetlands Trail heads back south ducking into forests and opening on grassy fields next to the wetland grasses. There's a short side trail that leads to a viewpoint of Duck Lake. Look here for Great Blue Herons and all kinds of migratory waterfowl. After the big trail junction and you cross the little bridge, take the right fork and walk the service road next to Duck Lake. From here, it's a quick trip back to the plankhouse and your car.

Maps

• Maps: Hike Finder

Fees, Regulations, etc.

• There is a $1 fee per person at the trailhead. Envelopes are available at the trailhead and the stub must be carried with you. Annual passes are available for $15.00. All of the fees collected remain on-site. A host of passes are accepted including:
  • Federal Duck Stamp
  • Golden Age Passport
  • Golden Access Passport
  • Golden Eagle Passport
  • Washington/Oregon Recreation Pass
  • National Parks Pass with Golden Eagle Hologram
  • America the Beautiful Pass
• Note the Northwest Forest Pass is not on the list

• The north end of this hike is closed Oct-Feb.
• Dogs are not permitted anywhere in the refuge

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for Oaks to Wetlands Loop Hike

• Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - More Family Fun 9/9/06

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Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for Oaks to Wetlands Loop Hike

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Guidebooks that cover this hike

More Links

• Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge

Contributors

• Stevefromdodge (creator)