Are Service Animal Dogs Allowed On The Grass Lake Trail In Oly Wa

During a time of the year when the parking lots at local state and city parks fill up rapidly, Grass Lake Nature Park is a repose little jewel on the Westside of Olympia spanning 171 acres. You almost have to know it is there to observe information technology. It's the brainchild of grouping called the Friends of Grass Lake who were defended to preserving its unique ecosystem. The purpose of the park is both educational and environmental and is designed to protect this intact wetland arrangement likewise equally provide a tranquility place in an increasingly developed part of Olympia.

As you park your auto side by side to the concatenation link debate in the gravel parking lot off of Kaiser Route (one of the two trailheads), your attention is drawn to a dark dark-brown sign. Grass Lake Nature Park is part of the Olympic Loop of the Bang-up Washington Land Birding Trail. More than 100 species of birds accept been sighted at that place, including Wilson'southward Snipes, Spotted Towhees, Anecdote-backed Chickadees and Rufous Hummingbirds. While that listing is likely to be more heady to birdwatchers and ornithologists, the average hiker volition still enjoy the variety of birds and bird songs along the trail. The wide variety of birds fatigued to the park likewise make this a year-round birding site as different populations terminate off on their journeys to other areas while some make Grass Lake their home.

Picking blackberries — Different seasons bring different plants and wildlife to the park. Photo credit: Irene Miller

If you lot are passing through the gate in mid to late summertime, on the side of the path you will be met by Himalayan blackberry bushes tempting you with ripe, plump berries while at the same fourth dimension fighting you off with the unavoidable thorns. Just beyond the bushes is the proper start of the trail that leads y'all into the shady cover of the forested wetlands.

Heading into the forest, the trail runs forth Louise Lake and then becomes a loop trail about 1 mile long. To run across Louise Lake, you tin take a short trail that turns off on the left side (and is non pictured on the map) before the loop starts that takes you lot down to the edge of the water. The park actually includes three lakes: Louise Lake, Grass Lake E and Grass Lake West. It'due south best to keep in mind that the give-and-take "lake" in terms of a wetland is not always a large expanse of water, particularly in the summer. Grass Lake East and Grass Lake West are almost completely empty in the summertime.

The loop itself is a lovely walk through the wood. While information technology's an easy hike for all ages, it is not stroller or wheelchair friendly. Pets are not allowed. Over 200 plant species accept been identified in the park, which makes it a groovy resources for environmental instruction. Depending on the time of year, y'all can run across the delicate beauty of the Western Trillium or sentinel a graceful great blueish heron state or mind to the frogs sing.

grass lake nature area in olympia — Lake Louise is a sanctuary to local and migratory birds and is a seasonal wetland. Photograph credit: Irene Miller

The park is total of possibility and the master program includes over h2o piers, viewing blinds and interpretive exhibits. For the time being though, a quiet walk through these woods is an activity yous won't share with many others. Relish!

Trailheads are located at:

3432 6th Avenue NW (note this is in a neighborhood and parking is on the street and limited)
814 Kaiser Road NW (though the writer put this accost in Google Maps and was taken to a firm on Kaiser Road that was not the trailhead – the trailhead is on Kaiser Road NW only north of 6th Avenue NW and can hold 3-4 vehicles.)

How to get to Grass Lake Nature Park

By auto:

From 101 Westbound, have the 2^nd Artery NW exit and so plow correct on Mud Bay Road. Plough left on Kaiser Road NW.
From 101 Eastbound, accept the Mud Bay/Evergreen College go out and turn right on Mud Bay Road. Plow left on Kaiser Road NW.

By bus to the Kaiser Road trailhead:

On Route 45 – go off at Harrison Avenue at Kaiser Road – and then walk 0.8 miles/xvi minutes northward on Kaiser to trailhead
On Route 47 – get off at Harrison Avenue at Twin Flowers Station – and then walk 0.8 miles/17 minutes westward on Mud Bay Road and and so north on Kaiser Road to trailhead

Grass Lake Nature Area is located at 814 Kaiser Road NW. For more than information about Grass Lake Nature Area, visit its website.