Thursday, May 28, 2009

NW ~ Salmon Creek Greenway


Date visited: March 27, 2009
Agency: Clark County, City of Vancouver
Path Surface: Paved
Elevation gain/loss: a few rises of about 10 feet
Distance: Six miles total-out and back
Ratings: Setting +++ Calorie-burning ++++
Directions: From I-5 take exit 5 in Vancouver, go east on 99th St, then turn north .9 mile on Hwy 99. Finally, go west .3 mile on 117th to the trailhead within Salmon Creek Park (on the right).

This nicely paved path makes for an enjoyable spring walk or bike ride. If you decide to do it on a hot day, take some water—there's almost no shade.

At the beginning, the path clings to Salmon Creek's south bank. After passing the noise and commotion of the ball fields, the path curls around to a more natural path-side setting on both sides, but eventually moves away from the creek. Although there's little shade on the path itself, there's plenty of brush and woods for wildlife. On our walk today, we spotted 21 species of birds, including one merrily singing ruby crowned kinglet, and one rabbit. Wildflowers were just beginning to bloom in the woods past the T-intersection.

Mileage is marked in the asphalt. Near the last half mile of trail, the path widens, overlooking seasonal ponds, where winter and early spring waterfowl paddle about. As the weather warms, both the water and the waterfowl will disappear, to return with the fall rains.


Click here for a map.

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