Use the interactive map or trail list to find detailed information about trail accessibility. DISABLED HIKERS TRAIL GUIDES Trail Guides There are an endless number of blogs and guidebooks out there about the outdoors, giving hikers access to information about trail conditions, difficulty, and directions, but there is one problem: The majority of the information out there assumes that the person reading it isn’t disabled. Written by disabled hikers for disabled hikers, we give you information that other guides overlook. Our descriptions include detailed information for every stage of accessible hiking - from getting to the trailhead, amenities, accessibility information, trail descriptions, and more using our signature Spoon Rating System . Whether you are looking for wheelchair friendly hikes, disability accessible trails, sensory parks, or accessible picnic spots, we provide information for all types of disabilities. Trail guides are currently available for Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho (coming soon: Alabama and North Carolina). On this page, you can access the trail guide in two ways: the interactive maps or the list down below. Interactive Trail Guide Use the interactive map below to locate trails and important accessibility information before your adventure. Trail Guide List If the interactive map does not work optimally with your assistive tech, you can find trail information at the links below. WASHINGTON Northern Cascades Rock Shelter and Newhalem Creek Olympic Peninsula Big Creek Trail Bogachiel River Trail Elk Creek Conservation Area Gatton Creek Trail Hoh Forest Riverwalk Interrorem Nature Trail Rialto Beach Trail Marymere Falls Trail Spruce Railroad Trail S. Fork Hoh to Big Flat Lyre Conservation Area Madison Falls Kalaloch Beaches Lake Aldwell to Elwha Dam Overlook Webster's Woods, Port Angeles Fine Art Center Jefferson County - COMING SOON Puget Sound Deschutes Falls Park McLane Creek Nature Trail Monarch Sculpture Park 5 Washington State Parks - Lake Sammamish, Flaming Geyser, Federation Forest, Dash Point, Saltwater Bainbridge Island - COMING SOON Islands San Juan Islands Central Cascades Coming Soon Southern Cascades Coming Soon Southwest Washington Coming Soon OREGON Portland Area Confluence Trail Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden Oregon Coast Coming Soon Willamette Valley Coming Soon Central Cascades Coming Soon Southern Cascades Coming Soon Southwest Oregon Coming Soon Central Oregon Smith Rock State Park IDAHO Boise and Southwest Idaho Boise and Southwest Idaho CALIFORNIA North Coast Redwood and Giant Sequoia Parks Mendocino County Old Smith Ranch Preserve Bay Area Coming Soon Monterey Bay Coming Soon Big Sur and Central Coast Partington Cove Shasta Cascade Coming Soon Sacramento Valley and Sierra Foothills Redwood and Giant Sequoia Parks Sierra Nevada Redwood and Giant Sequoia Parks Alabama Birmingham Coming Soon Please donate to help us create more trail guides! Your support helps us continue bringing informative trail guides to the community. Donate today! Looking for more trails? Purchase our books! Best sellers Quick View 4 inch sticker! Sticker: Jimothy Disability is Natural Price $8.00 Quick View T-shirt Bonus: Jimothy Disability is Natural Price $20.00 Quick View Signed Copy! The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Western Washington and Oregon [Paperback] Price $22.95 Quick View Signed Copy! The Disabled Hikers Guide to Northern California [Paperback] Price $24.95 Quick View 12x16 Print Poster: Jimothy Disability is Natural Price $15.00 Quick View Free Shipping Disabled Hikers Sticker Price $3.00 Quick View New Arrival Disability is Natural Sticker Price $8.00 Quick View Free Shipping Disabled Hikers Bumper Sticker Price $8.00 Quick View New Arrival Disabled Hikers Woven Patch Out of stock Get notified when new guides are added. Sign-up for our newsletter. Enter your email here Sign Up Thanks for submitting!

Together, we can make outdoor activities accessible and equitable to disabled adventurers. Help us bridge the gap between advocacy and action by supporting our efforts and initiatives. Get Involved Donate Learn about partnering with us, volunteer opportunities, and other ways to get involved. Donations are tax deductible. We are also eligible for company match programs and Donor Advised Funds! Disabled Hikers: Building Disability Community and Justice in the Outdoors Disabled Hikers was born from a vision of an outdoors culture where everyone belongs. We are building disability community and championing justice in the outdoors, working toward a culture transformed by access, representation, and equity for Disabled people. As an entirely Disabled-led organization, our work is deeply rooted in disability awareness, disability justice, and the shared pursuit of collective liberation. The Need for Change and Opportunity for Action Disabled Hikers was founded in response to a culture of exclusion in the great outdoors, typified by the challenges of access and significant questions of accessibility, as well as a lack of representation in outdoor organizations. The current limits of representation are also evident in the lack of available research about outdoor experiences, accessibility, and the disability community. There are few published research articles on the topic. In "Disabling barriers—Coping with accessibility of nature in Biosphere Reserves ", Winkler, Kosanic, and Martin-Lopez reviewed accessibility measures at Biosphere Reserves worldwide and found that only 58% considered accessibility with at least one measure. However, the measures are primarily focused on infrastructure for physical disabilities. The degree to which the measures actually improved accessibility was not reviewed. This points to the systemic exclusion of people with disabilities in the outdoors. We shift this culture of exclusion and move our mission forward through the following programs and activities to: Build community, leadership, and peer mentorship opportunities through The Disabled Hikers Network platform, directly addressing the existing lack of disability leadership and opportunities for accessible education and peer mentorship. Amplify authentic representation of people with disabilities through our Storytelling Project, v ia blogging and social media; providing stipends and editorial support to those who share their stories and moving beyond the notion of inspirational narratives of overcoming disability. Produce Trail Guides and Guidebooks that increase access to outdoor recreation by providing detailed accessibility information and trail information that goes beyond listing trails as “ADA accessible”. These guides are written by Disabled people, for Disabled people, and directly address the lack of information about accessibility in the outdoors that significantly limits access to outdoor recreation for Disabled people. Hold Accessible Group Hikes, Picnics, and Other Gatherings that are led by people with disabilities, for people with disabilities and their friends, family, and caregivers. These events provide opportunities for the cross-disability community to engage in outdoor recreation together, answering a need for community building; a lack of accessible engagement is an additional barrier to the outdoors for our community. Engage in Advocacy and Education Led by Disabled People Through a Disability Justice Lens , including working with parks, organizations, and agencies to improve accessibility and inclusion, through educational communication campaigns and policy, and challenging the dominant narrative of who is considered valid in outdoor spaces. We are opposing structural and systemic barriers to outdoor access for people with disabilities, including systemic ableism and lack of awareness about disability communities. Support our Work Funding Our Mission: Powering Access and Justice Suport Us Funding for organizations focusing on disability is challenging to secure: only 2% of philanthropic funding supports disability initiatives. Most of that funding focuses narrowly on direct services or rehabilitation, leaving advocacy, systemic change, and access initiatives severely underfunded. At Disabled Hikers, we understand this reality all too well—we have never been a fully funded organization. Yet, we persist and support our community as best we can and honor the contributions of our community to Disabled Hikers. For example, as part of our Storytelling Project, $10,000 would allow us to publish 10-20 blog and social media posts, and provide higher stipends to better recognize the effort it takes to write, organize, and publish these stories, which includes 5-6 hours of staff and volunteer time. To offer more Accessible Group Hikes and write and publish additional Trail Guides and Guidebooks it will likewise take further investment. Sponsoring these activities helps us expand our offerings and move toward greater sustainability. We aim to raise $1,500 per hike and $2,500 per trail guide. Sponsoring a hike or a guide is an excellent way to invest in our vision of Building Disability Community and Justice in the Outdoors . With additional funding, our primary focus is to build sustainability for the organization. We know it will take significant funding to fully build out our programs to the capacity needed to meet demands and to be able to expand our staff. To fully launch The Disabled Hikers Network , we project the program costs to be: $175,000 to fully develop then implement the program in one region to train new leaders $75,000 to fully develop and pilot the training program $75,000 to hire a program manager (new staff position) to train participants, organize volunteers, and expand the program $25,000 to hire subject matter experts in topics such as Indigenous land rights and traditional knowledge, racial justice, outdoor safety, and more; provide financial and travel stipends; purchase gear and supplies; and remove additional access barriers such as ASL and other language interpreters, transportation, and adaptive equipment. Donate Make a tax deductible donation to support our work. Donate Now Partner Sponsor an event, host us for training, and more. Let's get creative together. Partner With Us Get Involved Get Involved Together, we can make outdoor activities accessible and equitable to millions of disabled adventurers. 1 Bring Disabled Hikers to Your Community We can speak at events, assess locations for accessibility, lead hikes in your area, and more ! 2 Promote and Connect We are available for interviews and articles. Make a request to your favorite outdoors podcast, magazine, or other media to partner with us! Do you know any individuals or organizations doing work around disability and/or the outdoors? Connect us. 3 Donate We rely on donations to do our work! Want to get creative? Host a fundraiser for Disabled Hikers! Events, hike-a-thons, and fundraising campaigns are great ways to support, even if you aren't able to donate. 4 Volunteer Do you have professional experience in fundraising, grant writing, marketing, board membership, or other nonprofit skills? We welcome your involvement! We occasionally have other current volunteer opportunities . 5 Follow us on Social Media For the most recent updates and latest activities, follow us on Social Media! Instagram: @disabledhikers Facebook: Disabled Hikers Disabled Hikers are the invaluable base to the accessibility work in our region. They have provided professional, clear and compassionate guidance through our multiple visitor-facing projects, working seamlessly with a wide range of interest/knowledge levels and political backgrounds. Accessibility is incredibly important to the welcomability of our area and it’s become clear through our work with Syren that information is power and that we all benefit from greater accessibility. We cannot recommend them highly enough. Emily Reed | Network Director (she, her) Columbia Gorge Tourism Alliance

We are a leading advocate for inclusion and accessibility in the outdoors, guided by disability justice principles. Our Mission and Vision Disabled Hikers mission is to build disability community and justice in the outdoors towards a vision of an outdoor culture transformed by representation, access, and justice for Disabled and all other marginalized people. Donate Today! Our Story Disabled Hikers is an entirely Disabled-led organization. We celebrate disabled people’s experiences in the outdoors. We facilitate those experiences with information, resources, and events, including trail guides and group hikes. We are committed advocates for justice, access, and inclusion and work with parks, organizations, brands, and more. We challenge the dominant narrative of who is considered to be valid and which experiences matter in the outdoors. Whether enjoying the outdoors means sitting by your window or thru-hiking a trail, you are welcome here. Disabled Hikers was founded in March 2018 by Syren Nagakyrie. We incorporated as a nonprofit in January 2021. The outdoors is for everyone We believe in accessible outdoor adventure for all people. In the pursuit of that goal, we value most of all: Justice Community Access Impact Report Every year, our impact far exceeds our weight as a community-based nonprofit. We continue to dream and work towards a movement of disability leadership in the outdoors. 2024 Impact Report Click the link or image to read our full report. Our Community Partners Disabled Hikers is committed to building disability community and justice in the outdoors. Our work is possible because of our partners, funders, and friends, who fund and support our programs, and the individual donors who continuously contribute to our work with their resources and networks. Anne T. Angel Fund of Oregon Community Foundation Meet the Team Syren Nagakyrie (they/them) Founder, Director The outdoors hasn’t always felt like it was meant for me, but nature has always offered a sense of belonging even when I felt excluded otherwise. Read full bio Board of Directors Allexa Laycock Read full bio Michelle Wallace Read full bio Sam Kelly Read full bio Elena Keates Read full bio Garrett Male Read full bio Support Disabled Hikers Disabled Hikers has grown tremendously since our founding in 2018, in large part because of our incredible community of supporters. Get involved to help us continue our work. Donate Now

An accessible guide to Old Smith Ranch Preserve trail in Fort Bragg, CA for people with disabilities. Old Smith Ranch Preserve Fort Bragg, California Overview Spoon Rating: 3 spoons, not wheelchair accessible due to stairs, grade, and surface Type: out and back Distance: 2.1 miles Starting Elevation: 130 feet Elevation Gain: 140 feet Average Grade : 2.5% Max Grade: 25% for 6 feet Max cross-slope: 8% Typical width: 2 feet Typical surface: eroded asphalt, dirt Season/Schedule : Open Dawn-Dusk every day. There may be berry vines and leaves on the trail in fall, seasonally wet/muddy conditions. Water availability : no water available Sun exposure: Partial shade in summer Amenities: Picnic tables (not wheelchair accessible), benches, interpretive signs. No restrooms or trash cans. Nearest public restrooms in MacKerricher State Park. Pet friendly : Pets not allowed, service dogs welcome (recommend protecting their paws) Cell phone reception: No Special notes : Stairs, narrow trail corridor with low hanging branches, frequent highway noise Nearest town : Fort Bragg Land manager: Mendocino Land Trust , (707) 962-0470 Date assessed : September 21, 2026 Land Acknowledgement: These are the ancestral homelands of Local Pomo, Yuki, and Cahto peoples, who continue to be active stewards of these lands. Why go? This trail offers great birding along the Ten Mile River estuary. Benches provide opportunities for resting or pack a picnic for one of the picnic tables. There are six rare or endangered plant species in the preserve, including Menzies wallflower and Howell’s spinflower. The Land Trust occasionally holds events here with special gate access; the trail may be accessible for all-terrain capable wheelchair users at that time. Finding the Trailhead Pass/Entry Fee: Getting There: None. 28355 Shoreline Hwy, Fort Bragg, CA 95437 From Fort Bragg, head north on CA-1 for 7.7 miles. At milepost 69.22, you will see a big red sign that says Old Smith Ranch Preserve on the right (east) side of the highway and a driveway. Turn right into the driveway then immediately right into the parking lot. Parking: Dirt parking lot with space for about 8 cars. There is one paved van accessible parking spot, it can flood in the winter (and neither the trail nor picnic area are wheelchair accessible). There is no public transit to the trailhead. Start: From the parking lot, head west (towards the highway) and cross the driveway on a marked crosswalk. Look for a small red sign that says Old Smith Ranch Preserve Trailhead, next to a footpath heading into the bushes. The Hike The trail begins uneven on a grassy natural surface and is about 2 feet wide. It's surrounded by blackberries on either side, so take care not to scratch yourself. You are near the highway for the first quarter of the trail, so you may hear vehicles rushing by, but there is a thick line of shrubs between the trail and the road. Later on, the trail dips down a hill, which isolates the noise for a while. From the trailhead, you immediately take a 10% incline for about 10 feet, pass through some bushes, then take a steep 25% decline for about six feet before leveling out. The trail curves slightly right and then left. Continue through a narrow corridor between berry bushes on a dirt path. It is generally level, but bumpy and uneven, one foot wide with grassy shoulders between two to three feet wide. At 0.03 mile, you come to a root across the trail that is about five inches high and four inches wide. The trail continues generally level, up to a 2% decline. At 0.06 mile, you leave the narrow shrubby corridor and enter a grove of trees. The path is not well defined and may be a bit confusing if it's covered in leaves. Just continue straight through the grove of trees. The trail then curves slightly right, you'll pass between two trees bordering the trail, and at 0.1 mile you'll come to a set of steps leading downhill. There are 6 wooden steps, about 6 inches high. At the bottom of the steps, there's a red sign that points back the way you came to Old Smith Ranch Trail parking lot and picnic area. Continue following the trail as it curves to the left. You're now on firm, old pavement surface and there's views of the river through the trees on the right. You then immediately come to a fork in the trail. On the right, there are steps that lead down towards the river – skip that and continue to the left. The old pavement transitions to hard-packed gravel and dirt and is about 5 feet wide. You’ll continue on a generally 3% decline for the next 4/10 mile. At 0.12 mile, the trail surface transitions back to old, cracked pavement and is pretty uneven. There's a cross slope of 5-8% for about 15 feet. Then the surface changes to compact sand and dirt with a little bit of loose gravel on the top. Image Description: A dirt path disappears into a narrow corridor of shrubs Image Description: A faint trail passes between two trees Image description: Wooden steps covered in leaves lead downhill. A red sign pointing back reads parking lot and picnic area At 0.2 mile you come to a short section where the trail is crowned, which means it is higher in the middle than it is on the edges. That lasts for just a few feet, then it continues evenly, and you immediately come to a wooden bench on the left under the trees. The bench has a backrest with no armrests and offers a nice view of the river and the hills on the other side. Continuing past the bench, the trail has a narrow, washed-out rut down the center with a level section about two feet wide on either side, continuing until about 0.27 mile, where there's currently a very deep rut down the center. It's 4-5 inches deep, and up to a foot wide, with a 5-8% decline. The trail gets a little rougher and uneven with patches of old cracked pavement and washed-out gravel surface, on a 2-5% decline. At 0.29 mile you come to more loose gravel on the surface of the trail, up to an inch deep. You may still hear some road noise. At 0.3 mile, you start to get a view of the ocean, and you can see the highway bridge. The trail surface continues uneven and patchy and takes an 8% decline for about 30 feet. You continue through a narrow corridor of shrubs and low trees. At 0.39 mile, you come to a section of old pavement with grooves cut into the surface going across the trail, on a 5-8% decline. You then gain a view of the mouth of the river and the estuary. The trail narrows to about 3 feet on a 5% cross slope with loose gravel and some uneven patches of old pavement. At 0.42 mile, the trail starts to curve slightly left and widens to 6-8 feet with loose gravel up to 2 inches deep. You’ll pass a sign that warns of power lines overhead (they are very high overhead). The trail then curves slightly right and takes a slight decline, continuing with loose gravel. At 0.5 mile, you come to a fork in the trail with the highway bridge above you. Straight ahead, the trail continues into Inglenook Fen 10 Mile Dunes Natural Preserve. To continue on the Old Smith Preserve trail, curve sharply to the right at the fork. The trail continues with loose gravel and takes a decline of about 5% for about 50 feet. You are now traveling along the river directly on your left. The trail levels out and widens to about 6 feet with loose gravel on top of an old pavement surface. At 0.58 miles, you come to an interpretive sign on the left that says "Turning the Tide for Salmon” about the Ten Mile River estuary. The trail continues straight ahead, following the river. You come to a section with a steep cross slope of about 7% for a few feet, then it continues with a 2-5% cross slope for about 100 feet. The trail evens out, continuing through a wide corridor surrounded by shrubs. The trail surface is eroded pavement and slightly uneven. Image Description: A wood bench with a backrest sits off the trail with bushes in the background. Image Description: A gravel trail leads between low growing shrubs. A sign on the left says entering Inglenook Ten Mile Dunes Natural Preserve. A bridge is above in the background. Image Description: Ten Mile River as is flows beneath a bridge and out to sea. There are water birds in the river and rolling hills on the opposite side. It is foggy. At 0.67 miles, you come to another interpretive sign on the left with a history of logging on the Ten Mile River. The river got it’s current name because it was ten miles up the coast from Fort Bragg, where the lumber mill was located. There’s a bench on the left overlooking the river; it also has a backrest but no arm rests. The trail widens to 12 feet here with the overlook. It's very nice view of the river and the estuary and is a good place for birding or just enjoying nature with very little highway noise. Past the bench, the trail continues on old rough pavement with lots of dips and holes and weeds growing through the center. While the trail is overall 6-8 feet wide, with the plants growing up through the center it’s clear for about two feet wide in most places. At 0.75 miles, the trail narrows to 2-3 feet, enters an area of shrubs and low-growing trees, and then comes to a boardwalk. The boardwalk is a 10-inch-high step up and an 8-inch step down on the other side. It's made of composite boards and about 4 feet wide with no edge guards. On the other side of the boardwalk, the trail surface returns to old pavement with moss and grass growing on top and continues through a narrow corridor of low-growing shrubs. At 0.8 mile, the trail corridor opens up a little more. The trail surface becomes smoother, but continues on old pavement, generally 3-4 feet wide. At about 0.95 miles, you may start to hear some traffic noise. The trail surface transitions to mostly dirt surface on top of old eroded pavement. At 1.0 mile the trail surface transitions back to old pavement, 2-3 feet wide. Then after about 100 feet, the trail transitions back to a natural surface footpath surrounded by shrubs with the river on your left. At 1.07 miles, the trail surface transitions back to old pavement, and you then come to a picnic table at 1.10 miles. The table is positioned on a grass surface. It feels tucked away, surrounded by trees and shrubs with a view of the river. You may be able to get a couple of bars of cell service here if needed. Ahead of you is a gate blocking the trail, so when you are ready turn around and head back the way you came. Go left at the first fork you come to (where the Ten Mile Dunes trail splits off), right up the stairs at the sign pointing to the parking lot and picnic area, continue left through the grove of trees then follow the trail to the parking lot. A red Mendocino Land Trust sign on a fence. Head towards this then turn right and follow the fence. Three picnic tables sit out in a grassy field. Picnic Area There is another picnic area with a few tables tucked away from the parking lot. To reach it, go east towards the fence line with a Mendocino Land Trust sign on it, walking up the grassy slope. Then go right following the fence line towards a small area of shrubs. A gravel path leads through the shrubs, with a couple of wooden posts on the right. The path is very steep for a few feet, then you enter a large grassy area. There’s three picnic tables set about 100 feet away at the rear of the grassy area. The picnic area is right next to the highway, though there are shrubs along the edge. Trail Map Map of the trail with the route highlighted in green and markers for the benches, picnic tables, stairs, and interpretive signs. Click the image to access the map on AllTrails, which you can use to follow along.

Bogachiel River Rainforest Trail The Rundown Spoon Rating: 5 Distance: 3.8 mi. loop; 3.6 mi. out and back Elevation Change: 210 ft. Typical Surface: Very soft – mud/earth. Areas of fresh composite gravel Typical Width: 2 ft. Cell Phone Reception: Limited at trailhead, none on trail. Nearest Town: Forks, WA Amenities: Open to dogs on leash Why go? If you want solitude and an easier backcountry experience, the Bogachiel Rainforest is it. Located near Forks, WA the trail brings you directly into the wilderness and has little elevation change overall. But that does not mean it is easy. The elevation changes are steep and up and down, there are several water crossings in the rainy season, and the trail is very muddy. Washington Trails crews have been doing extensive work clearing and rerouting the trail, and there are still improvements to be made; the river frequently washed out the trail, so now it bypasses the river and travels entirely through the rainforest. The Bogachiel is definitely a hidden gem. This guide offers trail stats and detailed information for the Bogachiel River Rainforest trail to the Ira Springs Wetland loop. Log foot bridge over the creek. An example of the generally muddy trail conditions. Narrow muddy trail through the rainforest, slight incline. The Hike The trail begins to the far-right side of the parking area next to a new forest service trail sign. The trail starts on a generally steep descent for the first 0.25 miles, beginning at about 430 feet elevation and losing about 115 feet. From the trailhead, immediately descend about 20 feet on loose gravel, curves to the left, and continues mostly level for about 100 feet before coming to another descent of about 15 feet. The trail rolls slightly, curves to the right and then comes to a turnpike (a raised section filled in with gravel over a generally wet area) – this entire section was recently improved by WTA. There is a step of about 4 inches at the end. Loose gravel continues as the trail descends more steeply on 3 uneven steps built into the trail with large rocks, with steep declines between. Past these steps, continue onto natural surface trail with areas of rocks and mud. As you follow the ridge, you can start to hear water flowing below. Come to a rocky area and slight step, continuing on very gradual descent, before descending more steeply over rocks and a muddy area. At 0.3 mile and 315 feet elevation you have now reached the river valley floor and the first creek. The trail curves to the right to the log crossing. Pass between two big trees over a slight hill and take a moment to appreciate the big Western Red Cedar as you approach the log bridge. Note: this creek is the easiest year-round access for water on the trail; if you had planned for water this is it, since the river is no longer accessible. The log bridge begins with a wooden plank ramp covered with chicken wire for traction. This foot bridge is literally a log – a tree that stretches across the creek and has been somewhat leveled out on the top. It is very narrow with a hand rail on the left side, a couple of tree branches sticking out to maneuver around and some uneven footing. It ends in 3 steps on the opposite side. The next 1.5 miles of the trail is generally narrow, muddy, and mostly level. Just past the creek, you come to a fork for the Ira Springs Wetland loop– continue straight. You are now entering the fringes of a rainforest ecosystem, with mossy trees and sword fern groundcover. Continue for a few hundred feet to a sign for an overgrown fork heading right to the Homestead Loop. Continue left for the River Trail. From here the park boundary is approximately 1.8 miles. The trail continues generally narrow, level, and muddy. This area can be very buggy, so carry protection and be ready to just get through it as quickly as you can. At approximately 0.5 miles from the trailhead, come to Hurley Creek, with two options for the water crossing – on the right you can cross directly on rocks, to the left is a small log over the creek. Water levels were low, so I crossed on the creek. Just past the creek, the trail goes up a slight rocky hill for about 15 feet, then continues narrow and slightly muddy. At 0.8 miles come to the first deeply muddy area, this one about 20 feet long with rocks in trail. At 0.9 miles come to another fork; on the left is the beginning of the reroute built by WTA. You can continue straight for a short distance to the only view of the river at a small overlook. There is no easy place to get down to the river from here. After taking a moment to appreciate the Bogachiel River, return to the new trail. For the next 1.0 mile, you are basically going to be hiking in soft ground and mud through the rainforest. It is a beautiful area that was previously not easily accessible, and visiting in the dry season definitely makes it easier, but prepare for muddy boots and pants. The trail is generally level, gaining only about 20 feet with a few short ups-and-downs. The trail rolls slightly and curves right, before coming to a deeply rutted muddy area. A few hundred yards later roots cross the trail, rising 2-3 inches above the surface. You then come to a slight hill about 10 feet in distance with rough steps cut in to the natural surface. The trail continues slightly rolling, curves left, and rises another hill of about 5 feet; here you get a glimpse of the river through trees. Continue approximately 100 feet to a slight incline. At 1.3 miles come to a new footbridge over a creek. Take one step onto a ramp, one step onto the bridge, and two steps down. Trail becomes narrow and very muddy for about 100 feet, then dries out briefly and curves to the left to another muddy area with dryer shoulder, before coming to an area of deep mud and ruts for about 100 feet. The trail then becomes a narrow footpath through ferns encroaching on the trail before opening up again slightly into a beautiful area of the rainforest with tall Sitka Spruce, Hemlocks, and Vine Maples. Trail curves left between several beautiful Sitka Spruce to a slight incline. It then curves right around a large tree then left up a slight incline of about 15 feet in distance, then curves right at the top of the hill. It continues slightly muddy and comes to an area of lots of rocks and roots in trail before entering a long area of deep mud. At 1.5 miles come to two hills. Start on a steep descent of 10 feet with rough steps cut into mud, then descend into mud and up another 10-foot-long hill. Trail rolls steeply again and comes to another 10-foot incline before leveling out as it approaches the river river. There is more beautiful old growth here, with roots crossing the trail. There is a small downed log over the trail, but can be walked around. The trail continues slightly muddy and rolls, with views of the river and mountains to the right, as you travel along a hillside above the river delta. Trail levels out and splits around tree. Curve to the right, then left and right again. Come to a muddy dip in the trail with an ephemeral (seasonal) stream. At 1.7 miles cross between old downed logs; this is a convenient place to stop and rest on one of the log rounds scattered by the trail. The trail then meets the end of the reroute and connects with the original trail. This well-established trail continues mostly level and dry but narrow and brushy. It curves to the left up a slight incline between tall trees and you can hear river – it continues to curve left and right a couple of times and then comes to the intersection with the Ira Springs Wetland Loop trail and the National Park Boundary. The park boundary is to the right; the trail ends at Kahkwa Creek. From this trail, there is a fork to the left that goes up and downhill steeply and a path straight ahead which is slightly steep and ends directly at the creek with a steep drop off. If you can hop down this might be a good place to get water. To continue on into the national park you must ford the creek. Back at the main trail, continue straight for the Ira Springs Wetland Loop trail. This trail is well established, but it is where all of the up and down in elevation change happens, and there are many creek crossings and loose boardwalks. If you had an easier time with the muddy Bogachiel river trail, you could choose to return the way you came. It is a beautiful trail, and there are lots of berries along the way – which also means be aware for bears, I saw one cub on my hike. The Ira Springs Wetland trail gains about 50 feet in the first 0.5 mile. It begins on a narrow well established corridor with 3-4 inch tree roots across the surface. Almost immediately, you come to an old, uneven boardwalk over the trail as it follows a creek. In a couple hundred feet pass narrowly between to two large Sitka Spruce and a Hemlock. Cross another old boardwalk with a slight step up, pass between more trees, and cross another boardwalk. There is a nice view overlooking a creek here, but the bank is eroding; it also provides a bypass around a very steep section of trail, but be very careful along the bank and only take it if you really need to. Then pass between trees again and step over a large root. Trail continues mostly level before coming to another old unstable boardwalk. Trail curves right and then climbs somewhat steeply for a distance of 50 feet with a gap in trail for seasonal water flow. It climbs more steeply with a couple of steps to another large gap in trail with log barricade on one side and steep, eroding bank on other side; there is a muddy area at the end of climb. Trail rolls a few times with roots breaking the surface, curves to the left and continues to climb. It then narrows with roots crossing the trail and a steep drop off on the right. Continue to curve left and right as the trail rolls slightly. Come to a fairly steep incline about 15 feet long, and then the trail continues to roll. The forest is newer here, with narrow trees along the hillside. Come to another old boardwalk with uneven and unstable boards and four steps. Next take two tall steps over tree roots. Continue uphill to another old boardwalk; cross boardwalk and come immediately to a creek with a boardwalk over. However, water flows over boardwalk, so it may be slick. Trail starts to roll downhill, crosses roots and continues to roll and curve around trees. Descend to a small creek, and rise on a slight incline to a dense hemlock forest. Take six steep steps to two small boardwalks over a creek, one step down, and pass between a small blow down already cut from trail. Cross a small stream to a muddy area before continuing to another short descent on logs placed into trail and a small boardwalk. Make a slightly steep descent around a tree about 15 feet long. Trail starts to level out, with roots breaking the surface. It is a bit slick and narrow as it curves to the right with a steep drop off. At 2.5 miles come to a foot bridge. Step down over a root on the other side of the bridge and cross another foot bridge. Trail curves to the left, slightly steep and muddy for about 20 feet. There is a small gap in trail for water with a step up on the other side, rocky, then another small gap. Come to boardwalk with 3 steep steps up and ends on a wet, rocky area. Trail curves right over roots to another uneven but mostly stable boardwalk with two steps. This is a beautiful wetland area with tall Sitka Spruce and cedar. Trail narrows with lots of roots and continues to curve and roll. Come to a tall Sitka Spruce right ahead, as the trail curves to the right around the tree with lots of roots in the path, some 6-10 inches high. You are roughly following the hillside, and can see top of hill above to right, wetland descending below. Trail descends somewhat steeply over roots for about 10 feet. Come to more trees in trail with tall roots to step over onto a muddy area. The trail narrows with a drop off on the left. Descend steeply about 50 feet, and start to roll downhill with sounds of a creek. Curve right and left on a brushy trail, and cross rocks on some steps up. At 2.7 miles, come to a creek with no footbridge. You can cross on rocks, but even with a low flow it was a little troublesome. There is a steep narrow step down to the creek and a steep and muddy step up. Trail continues with natural surface, curves around slight incline and then heads uphill for a distance of about 100 feet then back down passing narrowly around a tree with roots in the trail. Curve right again to another creek with no footbridge; it is a narrow gap with rocks to step across, fairly easy with low water flow. The trail generally continues to roll up and down on a narrow width with roots and mud as it follows the hillside, generally descending. Curve to the left going downhill then right before leveling; it then rolls and becomes narrow and uneven with several roots across to step over. Come to one very steep two foot step down from tree roots. Trail continues rocky and muddy, generally rolling but descending. Descend steeply to another small stream crossing about two feet across. It is immediately level on the other side of the stream then climbs steeply about 10 feet before continuing to roll up and down. Take three steep 1-2 foot steps over tree roots to a very muddy area on a descent of 40 feet. The trail continues to roll; you are back on the hillside overlooking wetland to the left with tall grasses and trees and sounds of a creek. The forest rises above on the right with views to the top of the ridge. Come to some steep steps over roots – careful of your footing, they are narrow and uneven. Come to another muddy area and then take two steps up onto an old boardwalk, step off onto muddy area and then another boardwalk. Trail narrows and gets brushy, descends steeply on a hill to another level boardwalk over a creek. Trail continues to skirt hillside with beautiful old growth red cedar and hemlock. Trail descends steeply for about 15 feet, continuing to generally descend back down to valley floor. The path becomes narrow and rocky with some brush encroaching and rather unstable footing. Step over a log and come to another boardwalk. Step down over roots onto another boardwalk. Off that boardwalk cross mud, step up onto another boardwalk as the trail gradually ascends slightly. Come to another boardwalk, ascend steeply on a narrow rocky trail for about 100 feet. Come to another incline with a 3 foot step up over roots, curve to the right then left with a small dry stream and take a two foot step down. The trail continues to roll and curve with steep drop of on left, following the hillside with wetland below. There are lots of flowers and grass, and unstable footing on rocks and tree roots in the trail. At approximately 3.1 miles, a vine maple curves over the trail, then a large old growth red cedar and a small footbridge with railings on both sides. The sky line is open to your left but you are still traveling in shaded forest with hillside up to right. Cross a small stream then climb steeply up a hill for about 60 feet, pass between trees over roots, take a two foot step up, then step down over roots. (I was pretty exhausted by this point, but its only another 0.4 miles before the trail gets easier again) The trail becomes wet, narrow, and brushy, and continues to roll with obstacles in trail. Take another step across roots and then step up over roots, entering deeper into a shaded forest with vine maples over trail. Come to a slight muddy hill and a small stream. Take several quick rolls before leveling out slightly. Travel a decline for about 50 feet to a muddy area as the trail narrows. Level out and come to several big red cedars; you are almost level with the wetlands. Take a boardwalk over a wet area with a down tree on left, step over a large root. Come to two log rounds placed into trail and cross another boardwalk to a slight incline. You are now moving away from wetland and back into the forest. Trail continues to roll then comes to many more slightly unsteady log rounds in trail with roots in between. Pass between a few large Sitka Spruce; the forest is once again a mix of big leaf maple, alder, sitka spruce, and ferns. At 3.5 miles, cross a couple of muddy areas then reconnect with the river trail. Turn right and return the way you came in, this time ascending 115 feet in 0.25 miles. Trail follows the hillside with western red cedar and hemlock surrounding. Finding the Trailhead Pass/Entry Fee: Interagency All Access Pass or Northwest Forest Pass Getting There: There are references to the road to the Bogachiel River Trail being closed, but this isn’t exactly true; the original road is closed, but there is a bypass on a gravel road. To access the trailhead, turn onto Undi Rd across from Bogachiel State Park, approximately 5 miles south of Forks. Continue on a two-lane paved road until you come to a barrier and a gravel road on the left. This gravel road is regularly maintained but can have deep potholes and washboarding, so prepare to travel slowly. There is one steep hill with a beautiful view out to the mountains. The road begins to narrow with some pullouts, then narrows to a steep, potholed single lane for about 0.5 mile to the trailhead. I travel it easily in a Prius, though very slowly while dodging potholes and maintaining traction. Nearby Alternatives: Land Acknowledgement: Elk Creek Conservation area in Forks has many features of a rainforest, received little traffic, and is rated as three spoons. The area along what is now known as the Bogachiel River is the traditional lands of the Quileute. The land was ceded in the Treaty of Olympia, while the Quileute maintain rights to their traditional hunting, fishing, and foraging lands. Trail Map Topographic map of the Bogachiel River Trail to Ira Spring Wetland Loop, with the trail marked in red. Elevation profile, beginning at 466 feet, descending to low point at 315 feet. 3.8 mile distance, 210 feet elevation, 2:57:59 moving.

The trailhead is the same as the Interrorem Nature Trail. It begins at a small gravel and grass parking area at the historic Interrorem Cabin (which is available for overnight rentals; there are four steps into the cabin). The trail begins next to an information board at the west side of the parking area; the first few feet is four-feet wide with semi-firm natural surface before reaching an accessible vault toilet. Continue straight past the toilet for the Ranger Hole Trail. Ranger Hole Trail The Rundown Spoon Rating: 4 Distance: 2 miles Elevation Change: 200 ft. Typical Surface: Natural rocks and roots Typical Width: 2 ft Nearest Town: Brinnon, WA. Cell Phone Reception: Spotty to none Amenities: accessible toilets, potable water, accessible parking, picnic tables The Hike The trailhead is the same as the Interrorem Nature Trail . It begins at a small gravel and grass parking area at the historic Interrorem Cabin (which is available for overnight rentals; there are four steps into the cabin). The trail begins next to an information board at the west side of the parking area; the first few feet is four-feet wide with semi-firm natural surface before reaching an accessible vault toilet. Continue straight past the toilet for the Ranger Hole Trail . The trail begins mostly level and two feet wide, with a few roots rising above the natural surface, but it shortly begins rising and falling over a number of small hills. First you come to a slight 3% incline before the trail curves right and rises and falls over short hump at 6% grade. Then cross another short hill under a 5% grade. You will pass a large big leaf maple, and be traveling deeper into the forest with a hill covered in downed trees to the left. Trail passing between Big Leaf Maple and Douglas Fir. Sword Ferns cover the forest floor, with fall leaves scattered on the trail. Rise and fall over another couple of small hills with negligible grades, then cross a section of trail with many roots rising 2-4 inches above the surface. Curve right to another hill, with a decline of 16-20% for 10 feet before it levels out then rises steeply for approximately 50 feet at 27-30% grade. The trail levels out then comes to another steep hill with a couple of steps, at grades of 20-30% for approximately 300 feet. Continue on natural surface of soil and rocks; watch your footing as some of the rocks are large. There is another short 20-30% grade then the trail curves right and left around some trees and levels out slightly on rolling grades of 5-10%. Rise again slightly at 6% then continue back downhill. Come to three sets of large roots to step down over. The trail curves to the right with more roots rising above the surface and then comes to a slight decline and immediately to another incline and decline that is 50 feet long. Curve to the left and take a much steeper decline at 20-30% grade. Here the trail levels out briefly, continuing through a forest of mossy hemlocks, firs, and vine maples. There is another slight 10% decline with rocks in trail; watch your footing again. The trail generally continues to roll gently at 5-10% grades with level areas in between for the next several hundred feet. At 0.7 mile the trail starts to descend steeply for 0.25 mile towards the river canyon. The first section descends at a 30% grade and is badly washed out and rutted down the center, passing a small tree barely clinging to the hill. It is very unstable footing with loose dirt and rocks. The trail then levels out slightly for 50 feet then continues at a 20% decline with big rocks in the surface. The sound of the river draws you on. Curve right between two cedars with worn steps set into the trail; take 16 steep steps on a steep incline of 30% with no landing in between. The steps end on a wet area with water flowing along trail – watch your step as you come off the stairs. The trail then dries and levels out with lots of roots and rocks in the surface. The first section of stairs along the trail. They're surrounded by a wooded scene with trees and greenery. Looking down on the first decline to the river. Looking up at the first decline to the river. The first river overlook is on the left; this is the easiest place to catch a view of the beautiful turquoise blue water, but the cliffside is eroding and there is no barrier, so be careful. The trail continues level past the overlook, curves left and right with large rocks in the surface, and passes next to a large cedar and a boulder. Come to a short, uneven decline of 12% with a 10% cross slope, then level out again. There is one more slight decline before approaching the overlook for Ranger Hole, your final destination. To get a good view of the river canyon, you have to cross over rocks and step up onto boulders along the cliff, and they can be slippery when wet, so if you have vertigo or balance issues please exercise caution. There are some nice rocks to sit on and rest, enjoying the sound of the water and the view. Save some energy to head back out the same way you came in, that decline making for a steep climb on the way back. There aren’t too many easy places to step off the trail for a rest, and no benches along the way, so take your time. Finding the Trailhead Pass/Entry Fee: Interagency Pass or Northwest Forest Pass. There is no payment kiosk here. Getting There: The trailhead is located on Duckabush Rd/NF-2510. From Brinnon, WA head south on US Highway 101. In approximately 3 miles, turn right on Duckabush Rd, which is a paved two-lane road. Continue for 4 miles to the end of the pavement. The parking area is on the left. Nearby Alternatives: Dosewallips State Park offers accessible cabins and restrooms. Land Acknowledgement: This is the land of the sqʷuqʷóbəš [Twana/Skokomish], “People of the River”, whose traditional territory included the entire Hood Canal drainage basin in western Washington. Trail Map Map and elevation profile of Ranger Hole Trail. Distance 1.9 mi, Elevation 239 ft, Moving 1:15:51. Elevation begins at approximately 350 ft, descends to 150 ft, and rises again.

We are a leading advocate for inclusion and accessibility in the outdoors, guided by disability justice principles. Our Mission and Vision Disabled Hikers mission is to build disability community and justice in the outdoors towards a vision of an outdoor culture transformed by representation, access, and justice for Disabled and all other marginalized people. Donate Today! Our Story Disabled Hikers is an entirely Disabled-led organization. We celebrate disabled people’s experiences in the outdoors. We facilitate those experiences with information, resources, and events, including trail guides and group hikes. We are committed advocates for justice, access, and inclusion and work with parks, organizations, brands, and more. We challenge the dominant narrative of who is considered to be valid and which experiences matter in the outdoors. Whether enjoying the outdoors means sitting by your window or thru-hiking a trail, you are welcome here. Disabled Hikers was founded in March 2018 by Syren Nagakyrie. We incorporated as a nonprofit in January 2021. The outdoors is for everyone We believe in accessible outdoor adventure for all people. In the pursuit of that goal, we value most of all: Justice Community Access Impact Report Every year, our impact far exceeds our weight as a community-based nonprofit. We continue to dream and work towards a movement of disability leadership in the outdoors. 2024 Impact Report Click the link or image to read our full report. Our Community Partners Disabled Hikers is committed to building disability community and justice in the outdoors. Our work is possible because of our partners, funders, and friends, who fund and support our programs, and the individual donors who continuously contribute to our work with their resources and networks. Meet the Team Syren Nagakyrie (they/them) Founder, Director The outdoors hasn’t always felt like it was meant for me, but nature has always offered a sense of belonging even when I felt excluded otherwise. Read full bio Board of Directors Allexa Laycock Read full bio Michelle Wallace Read full bio Katya Reyna Read full bio Sam Kelly Read full bio Elena Keates Read full bio Garrett Male Read full bio Support Disabled Hikers Disabled Hikers has grown tremendously since our founding in 2018, in large part because of our incredible community of supporters. Get involved to help us continue our work. Donate Now

Collaborate with Disabled Hikers to improve awareness, increase access, and build capacity for disability leadership in the outdoors. Work with Us Learn about training and consulting opportunities with Disabled Hikers Services Disabled Hikers works with parks, organizations, land managers, and more to improve access, increase capacity, and support Disabled leadership in the outdoors and beyond. Trainings Learn how to talk about disability, what access actually means, and how to challenge ableism in the outdoors. Build your capacity for collaborating with the disability community and supporting Disabled leadership. Trainings are designed to meet the needs of your organization, and may be multi-part. Virtual and in-person options available. Assessments Accessibility assessments are best completed by Disabled people. Our unique process includes a full user experience and ADA assessment. We create resources with detailed information for the cross-disability community. Field experiences are also available to learn about accessibility through lived experience perspectives. We do not do disability simulations. Consultations Working on a universal design project? Wondering how to make your program more accessible? Trying to connect your organization with the local disability community? We can offer a wide range of support for program and project development. Examples include project reviews, program development, feedback sessions, event collaborations, and more. Let's Explore We are creative, adaptive, and excited to work with you. Let's explore options to create a more accessible, inclusive outdoors. Fill out the form and we'll get back to you! First name Last name Email* Tell us about your project Send

There are a variety of ways to get involved with us and there really is something for everyone! We offer: Detailed trail search and guides, community hiking events, opportunities to help advance inclusion in the outdoors for all hikers​, and more. COMMUNITY Community Explore what's happening at Disabled Hikers and join the conversation because we can make a difference, one trail at a time. The Storytelling Project We seek disabled individuals passionate about the outdoors to contribute to our social media or blog. We are continuously accepting applications and offer a stipend as funding allows. Upcoming Events Are you someone who loves spending time outdoors? Would you like to learn more about the work we do? Check out our calendar of upcoming events and join us. The Disabled Hikers Network We are building a movement of Disabled leadership. The Disabled Hikers Network will provide a platform for networking, mentorship, and other community-building opportunities. Facebook Please "like" us on the Disabled Hikers Facebook Page! It's one of the best ways to stay up-to-date on what we are doing in our community. To interact with others in our community, join our official Disabled Hikers Private Group. Instagram We're also on Instagram @DisabledHikers , so check out the #DisabledHikers hashtag. Join Our Newsletter You can stay up-to-date with our newsletter right in your inbox. Enter your email here Sign Up Thanks for joining!

Disabled Hikers face mask policy for group hikes, gatherins, and other events. Masking Policy Disabled Hikers Mask Policy for Events Disabled Hikers requires face masks at all of our group hikes, gatherings, and in-person trainings. Face masks should be high filtration, such as KF-94, KN-95, or N-95. Surgical masks (the three-ply disposable masks often in blue or black) are discouraged. Cloth masks do not meet the face mask requirement and should not be worn. If you have a disability that prevents wearing a face mask, you are not required to wear one. Some examples include but are not limited to: requiring oxygen; using your mouth or breath for adaptive tools; physically unable to put on a mask; someone with intellectual or developmental disabilities or significant sensory barriers to wearing a mask; someone with significant respiratory limitations; anyone who has been advised by a doctor not to wear a mask. If you are unable to wear a mask, we will not ask you to disclose your disability. It is appreciated if you do share in private so that we can best meet your access needs and ensure you and other attendees remain safe. However, we may ask about your recent exposure and other risk factors, and/or ask you to test for Covid and flu. Masks are provided at no charge. We always try to have masks available. We also encourage people to connect with their local Mask Bloc for free masks, tests, and more. Mask breaks are welcome. You can take a break to eat, drink, or breathe without a mask at anytime. Please move at least 15 feet away from the group when you remove your mask. Our group hikes are also very slow, so that attendees do not overly exert themselves while wearing a mask. The Purpose of our Policy Disabled Hikers is committed to creating safer, access-centered spaces for the cross-disability community. This includes people who are immunocompromised or otherwise at higher risk of severe illness from respiratory and other viruses. Disabled Hikers considers face masks a core access tool, in the same way a wheelchair ramp or curb cut is (or should be). Many of us wore face masks long before the Covid 19 pandemic, and will continue to do so. Some people are not able to wear a mask due to their own disability. Other than those exceptions, wearing a mask generally does not cause harm, much in the same way that not everyone needs to use a wheelchair ramp but are generally not harmed in doing so. We recognize that face masks are not comfortable for everyone to wear, or that some individuals feel they do not need a mask for accessibility. We ask those individuals to respect the access needs of people who need others to wear a mask, just as they would want their own access needs to be respected. It is unfortunate that wearing a mask has become so highly politicized and propagandized. Public health is increasingly under threat, and our access to masks, tests, and vaccines are more limited. It is important to recognize that even if you do not consider yourself at high risk, that Covid and other illnesses still have long term impacts on health. It is as important as ever that we take care of each other. Our mask policy is a commitment to community care and safety. Frequently asked questions What type of mask do I need to wear? A high filtration mask, such as a KF-94, KN-95, or N-95. Surgical masks do not protect from aerosol or microscopic particles, only "spit" particles, and so are strongly discouraged. Cloth masks do not provide protection and should not be worn. There are many styles and types of high filtration masks out there. If you find wearing a mask is uncomfortable or triggering, we recommend trying different types to find one that works better for you. Why do I need to wear a mask if we are outside? It is a common misconception that being outdoors will prevent illness transmission. While being outdoors may reduce the risk, it does not remove it completely. Risk depends on many factors including how close individuals are to each other and for how long, how windy it is, how much you are talking or breathing heavily, and more. There have been many cases of people getting Covid and other illnesses at outdoor events. We want our events to be social occasions where people can talk and share space without fear of getting sick. Wearing a mask makes that possible. What if I have a disability and can't wear a mask? if you have a disability that legitimately prevents you from wearing a mask, you do not have to wear one. Many disabilities that prevent people from wearing a mask also put you at higher risk. You are on of the reasons we require everyone else to, so that you can still attend safely! Wearing a mask makes me very uncomfortable. Do I still have to wear one? If you have a disability that legitimately prevents you from wearing one, then you do not have to. We understand that wearing a mask while walking or moving outdoors, especially if it is hot or cold, can be uncomfortable. However, we still ask that you wear one. You are welcome to take a mask break at any time by moving at least 15 feet away from the group before removing your mask. Upcoming Events No events at the moment

Spruce Railroad Trail is located between Port Angeles and Forks and follows the north shore of Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. The hike is rewarding – it offers sparkling views of the lake and surrounding mountains, a couple of small waterfalls, wildflowers, cliff faces, and mature forest. The trail has been paved and the parking lot has been improved since I first wrote this guide. The Spruce Railroad Trail is now a much more wheelchair accessible hike. Spruce Railroad Trail The Rundown Spoon Rating: 2 Distance: 8 miles Elevation Change: 525 ft. Typical Surface: Pavement Typical Width: 4 ft Nearest Town: Between Port Angeles and Forks, Wa. Cell Phone Reception: Spotty Amenities: Vault toilets Why go? Spruce Railroad Trail is located between Port Angeles and Forks and follows the north shore of Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. The trail is a popular destination for families with children and is one of only a couple of trails in the park that allows dogs, so it is often busy. The hike is rewarding – it offers sparkling views of the lake and surrounding mountains, a couple of small waterfalls, wildflowers, cliff faces, and mature forest. The trail has been paved and the parking lot has been improved since I first wrote this guide. The Spruce Railroad Trail is now a much more wheelchair accessible hike. The Hike This description is from the East Beach trailhead, which is the most accessible trailhead. The Spruce Railroad Trail, as the name implies, follows an old railroad bed along Lake Crescent. It is a popular destination due to its location and well maintained, generally level trail. If the entire hike is not possible for you, there are many wonderful views along the entire trail; you can turn back at any time and still have a rewarding experience. From the paved parking area, head up the wide paved trail. It is a bit steep for the first few hundred feet, but it levels out to a gentle grade for about .5 mile without any elevation gain, then gently descends 75 feet in .4 miles to the lake. You’ll pass the first waterfall. Here the trail levels out and you arrive at the first of the old railroad tunnels and the access to Devils Punchbowl. Image description: A paved trail curves slightly uphill, surrounded by fern and mossy trees. There is a trail info board on the right The trail through the tunnel is paved and not very long, but it does curve so that the middle of it is dark. I often pass through the tunnel without a light source, but it isn’t recommended. If you do not want to go into the tunnel and are up for a bit of a more difficult hike to Devils Punchbowl, you can go left up the footpath. The footpath is about .10 mile and is a bit steep and narrow with many rocks, ruts, and roots in the way. The first few feet are steep then it climbs more gently to another steep section with many ruts and loose tread. It then shortly and steeply descends to the picturesque footbridge over Devils Punchbowl. It may be crowded here, and there isn’t much room, so you may have to find a place to stand or sit until you can cross. The view is pretty amazing, but it is only one destination on a hike that offers many viewpoints. From the bridge, the path ascends briefly to a rock outcropping over the lake; you have to step up and over and down the rocks, but it is pretty sure footing. Then it is a very short gentle walk to connect with the main trail on the other side of the tunnel. Paved Spruce Railroad Trail curving around a hill Path to Devils Punchbowl and the tunnel on Spruce Railroad Trail View of Lake Crescent from Spruce Railroad Trail If you go through the tunnel and want an easier route to the Punchbowl, you can approach from this way and only have to go over the rock outcropping. But you may be traveling upstream of the hikers coming down. Shortly after the tunnel the paved trail continues mostly level and offers areas of cool shade and less busy places to sit and look at the lake. At mile 1.5 (about a half mile past the tunnel) you will come to another waterfall and the trail crosses over a stream. I like to take a moment beneath the Western Redcedar and listen to the falls. The trail continues another 1.5 miles. It begins to follow the cliffs that line this section of the lake and climbs 75 feet in .10 mile and then descends 50 feet in .10 mile. It continues paved pass some old rockfalls along the cliffs. You eventually come to another tunnel. This whole section is very interesting to the geologically minded hiker with some great views of the lake. The Spruce Railroad Trail technically ends at the trailhead on Camp David Jr Road, but the paved route continues as the Olympic Discovery Trail. Finding the Trailhead Pass/Entry Fee: None. Getting There: From Forks, head north/east on Highway 101 40 miles to East Beach Rd. You will drive all the way along the lake and then the road widens – look for the sign to turn left on East Beach Rd. From Port Angeles, travel 20 miles south/west on Highway 101 and turn right onto East Beach Rd. before you reach the lake. East Beach Rd is a paved narrow, curvy two lane road. Follow the road along the lake: follow the signs to the Spruce Railroad Trail and stay left. You will come to another left turn and then a one lane bridge. Cross the bridge and you will be on a gravel road leading to the parking area. There are vault toilets available. You can also begin this hike from the trailhead at the end of Camp David Jr Rd. Turn onto the road at the Fairholme store and campground. Nearby Alternatives: There are many points of access and short trails around the lake. Try stopping at the Fairholme Campground on the western side of the lake, or at Lake Crescent Lodge or the Ranger Station off of Lake Crescent Rd. on the eastern side. Land Acknowledgement: Lake Crescent is the ancestral lands of the Klallam people. Trail Map Areal map of the trail. This elevation profile is ONE WAY from the END of the hike – it is for the return trip. Image description: a topographic map of the hike along the lake with an elevation profile and statistics. Distance: 3.09 miles, Time: 1 hour 34 minutes, elevation gain: 300 feet, elevation loss: 225 feet.

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