Disabled Hikers & Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Community Gathering and Hike

About the event

Disabled Hikers and Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe are partnering for a special event at the Dungeness River Nature Center and Railroad Bridge Park. This event is for anyone who is disabled, chronically ill, or neurodivergent, elders, and all tribal community members. Your family, friends, and caregivers are welcome! We have a mobility scooter or power wheelchair for you to borrow if you need or would like to try one.

We will gather at the nature center and stroll, roll, or ride across the bridge along the Olympic Discovery Trail. We’ll learn from Loni Greninger, Jamestown S’Klallam tribal member and Council Vice Chairwoman. The Dungeness River is a central figure to the S’Klallam People in the Sequim area. Sourced by head waters in the mountains, the river has been an integral part of creation’s survival for hundreds of years. Not only is important for environmental health, but also spiritual health. The river has a role in ceremony and cleansing.

An example of such a ceremony has to do with salmon. One of the most exciting events of autumn is the return of salmon to our river. Visitors may have a chance to witness Coho and Chum salmon making their incredible journey upstream to spawn. This seasonal event highlights the resilience of these fish and plays a vital role in the ecosystem, providing nourishment for local wildlife and enhancing the river's health.

Every September, Jamestown celebrates an annual Return of the Salmon Ceremony. This long-standing tradition has been passed down for generations and acknowledges the everlasting promise between humans and salmon: humans promise to keep the rivers and oceans clean and cool, and the salmon promise to sacrifice their bodies each year to provide us high nutrient meat. Songs, stories, and returning the first seasonal salmon’s body to the water are all elements to honors the returning salmon. Ceremony acknowledges the spiritual portion of the relationship with Creator and creation, and deepens the connection between the river, the salmon, and the community.

(adapted from the Fall 2024 River Center Newsletter)

Disabled Hikers group hikes are slow, casual gatherings. There is never any pressure to go a certain time or distance. We match the pace of everyone present, and you are welcome to rest or turn back at any time. There will be plenty of time for breaks, conversation, and enjoying nature. We are a LGBTQ+ affirming and anti-racist community. We hope you'll leave the event with more connections and a stronger sense of community.

Location Description

The Dungeness River Nature Center is an ADA accessible facility. The Olympic Discovery Trail across the river is paved with a slight incline up to and down from the bridge. The trail is 6-8 feet wide. The bridge has barriers on both sides that are 4-5 feet high with wood or metal slats that may impede the view from sitting height. We will travel up to 1.5 miles round trip. This is a popular location that is often busy on weekends, but there is ample room for people using mobility devices.

Amenities

There are gendered public restrooms inside the nature center, and single accessible restrooms outside. There are benches along the way and areas to rest off of the trail; you are welcome to bring a portable chair if you need. Picnic tables and a coffee vendor are available at the nature center.

Pets

Service dogs are always welcome. Pets are not allowed inside the nature center and are discouraged on the hike to prevent potential accessibility conflicts.

Cost

There is no fee to attend.

Masks Required and Scent-free

We practice Covid and illness transmission safety at all of our events. We ask everyone to wear a mask unless your disability prevents it, or when you need a break. We also ask that you not wear perfume and other scents to protect community members who are scent-reactive. Read more about our mask policy: https://www.disabledhikers.com/mask-policy

Parking

Large paved parking lot with several ADA parking spots.

Transportation

The nearest bus stop is 1.5 miles away. All Clallam Transit routes are fare free! Dial a Ride is available to schedule a drop off a little over 0.5 mile away. You can also use Clallam Connect (paratransit). If public transit is not an option, we may be able to arrange carpooling.

Interpreters

ASL, Spanish, and other languages interpreters are available on request; please allow 10 days to coordinate. If you have a preferred interpreter, please include their contact information when you register!

Other Access Needs

We strive to uphold an access-centered framework for our events. If you have other access needs or request for accommodation, please let us know at registration and we will work with you to ensure an accessible experience.

About Disabled Hikers

Disabled Hikers is a disabled-led and disability-centered organization grounded in principles of disability justice. We are firmly anti-racist and LGBTQ+ affirming. We celebrate Disabled people's experiences, facilitate those experiences with resources and events, and challenge the dominant narrative of who and what kinds of experiences are considered valid in the outdoors. We welcome anyone who is disabled, chronically ill, neurodivergent, or otherwise has lived experience of disability – we define these terms in the broadest way possible. We also welcome supportive friends and family. The group hikes together; we adapt the hike to match the needs of everyone present, rest when needed, and make decisions about when to turn back as a group. All of our events include a moment to honor the land and Indigenous peoples and group introductions. There is never any pressure to share anything.