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Federation Forest State Park
 Directions:
Located 18 miles southeast of Enumclaw State Highway 410.
From I-5: Take SR 18 ( Auburn-Enumclaw exit). Drive south to Enumclaw.
Turn left on Hwy. 410 at Safeway Shopping Center. Follow Hwy. 410
east for 18 miles. At milepost 41, turn right at interpretive center
entrance. The trailhead is near the north end of the Catherine Montgomery
Interpretive Center. Follow the signs to the picnic area, and where
you see restrooms and a bulletin board, park and walk the trail
to the river.
Features:
3 short interpretive trails, 1.75 miles total in 600 acres of old
growth Douglas firs, with mature Western Hemlock, Sitka Spruce and
Western Red cedar trees. The area has an additional 9.5 miles of
hiking trails.There are five distinct ecosystems within a radius
of just one mile. For easiest accessibility and modedrate difficulty,
follow the East Loop signs; the West loop is narrower and more difficult.
It is a 0.4 mile loop with gradients up to 5%. The surface is packed
gravel and dirt.
Other Info:
There is designated parking and restrooms at the center. The Federation
Forest State Park is a day-use natural area located along the White
River, the park has an interpretive center with a gift shop and
four picnic areas.
Interpretive Center Hours: Summer - 8 a.m. to dusk; Winter - open
by appointment only from Sept. 3 to April 26. Inside, you will learn
about the contrasts in nature that typify the state of Washington
from the dry eastern deserts to the lush western peninsula. Gardens
in front of the center highlight edible and poisonous native plants
and plants from six of the nine biosystems of Washington.
This is the first stop heading east on the Mather
Memorial Parkway, a Northwest Scenic Byway. The historic Naches
Trail, which was one of the first pioneer trails between Eastern
and Western Washington, passes through this park. It is also a popular
bird watching spot. There are great views of the White River within
the park.
Two national forest campgrounds are located along the byway between
Enumclaw and Chinook Pass. The Dalles
Campground has a total of 44 RV and tent sites; Silver Springs
has 55 sites. Both campgrounds are open May through September. There
are no hookups. When you enter the Dalles campground, go straight
back to the covered picnic area to the John Muir Discovery Trail,
a .08 mile interpretive loop that is wheelchair accessible. It is
a nice walk among tall old growth forest. Eleven miles northeast
of Enumclaw is another campground at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park.
From Hwy. 169: Drive east at Four Corners. Signs begin just after
turn. Follow signs eight miles to park. From Hwy. 410: Turn north
at Farman Rd. Follow signs nine miles to park on the left. There
is shore access to the river, accessible water, a dump station,
and an accessible utility campsite.
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Trip Notes:
Dec 7, 2002
Went to try the trails out on a beautiful
December day, but could not get into the main area of the
park. Apparently, not only the interpretive center is closed
during the winter, but also access to the trails.
 Not
to be stopped, I looked at the map and noticed that the trails
ran close to the highway on both ends. I went to the east
end where there is gated access to a picnic area. The gate
was closed, but I could get my scooter around it so I parked
and went in. I had a lovely picnic lunch, basking in the warmth
of the sun while looking at the river. Since no one was around,
Daks was off-leash and enjoying the grassy picnic area with
me.
After lunch, I tried to take both trails
from here that go along the water and into the woods. Forget
it, they are not accessible. I got into a dicy situation on
a narrow boardwalk that dead ended at steps up to the trail.
I had to get off my scooter to back up as there was no way
to turn around. This would NOT be a good situation for someone
who could not walk. But if you are ever driving on Hwy 410,
this is a great spot for lunch. There are accessible restrooms
that are open during the summer months.
I then drove back to the west end of the
park where there was trailhead access. I thought for sure
I had lucked out and would be able to get to the trails in
the center of the park. No such luck. The two trails were
too hard to negotiate, even for my scooter. I popped my circuit
breaker three times going up short steep inclines. Frustrated
at traveling so far only to not reach my goal, I turned back.
So, this western trailhead is not accessible either. It's
too bad they had the accessible trails in the center of the
park closed down. Abled bodied hikers can still get there,
but disabled folks are out of luck! Just doesn't seem fair.
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Soos Creek Park
 Directions:
148th Avenue S.E. from 272nd to 192nd in Kent
Contact: King County Natural Resources and Parks Division, (206)
296-4232
Access Points: Gary Grant Park at SE 208th and 137th Ave SE; Soos
Creek Trailhead at 145th Ave SE between SE 240th St and SE 256th
St Meridian; Soos Creek South Trailhead at 152nd Way SE
Features:
This park covers a narrow area on either side of Soos Creek, an
active salmon spawning stream. A six mile, paved walking and biking
trail follows the creek through cattail marshes, forested swamp,
and wet hillsides covered with ferns and horsetail. While completely
paved, there are some grades that do not meet ADA standards.
Other Info:
A Connection to the Lake Youngs Trail (9 miles, unpaved) can be
made along SE 216th St corridor.
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Cedar River Trail
 Directions:
Several Parking areas are available along the trail immediately
adjacent to State Route 169 (the Maple Valley Highway). Parking
is also available in Landsburg west of 276th Avenue SE. Disability
access at Liberty Park.
Features:
16 mi paved, ballast, and gravel trail from Landsburg to Renton
in the Maple Valley. The Cedar River Trail follows an old railroad
right-of-way from downtown Renton to King County's Landsburg Park,
alongside the scenic Cedar River. At this writing, the trail is
paved for the first 6 miles from Renton. The remainder is original
ballast and compacted crushed rock.
 Other
Info:
A branch of the trail connects with King County's Lake Wilderness
Park and continues to Four Corners.
The trail is paved from downtown Renton south to 196th Ave SE/Jones
Road (approx. 6 miles); south of there the trail is crushed gravel.
Paved portions are ADA accessible; unpaved sections are not.
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King County Interurban Trail
Directions:
Access Points: King County's Fort Dent Park, Seattle's Alki Point
Park, Kent's Brisco Meander Park, Russell Road Park, Foster Park,
Auburn's Brannon Park. Currently accessible to people in wheelchairs
are the Fort Dent, Brisco and Brannon Parks access points.
 Features:
The paved, fully accessible Interurban and Green River Trails will
comprise a system of 46 miles. The Interurban Trail currently covers
14 miles from I-405 in Tukwila to 3rd Ave SW, just south of Pacific.
The Green River Trail's 12 mile sections traverse the industrial
heart of the valley from south Seattle through Kent, connecting
to a number of neighborhoods and community trails.
Other Info:
When complete, the Green River Trail will span 30 miles from Seattle's
Alki Point to King County's Auburn Narrows Park.
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Coal Creek Park Trail
Directions:
The trail is accessed from the Red Town parking area of Cougar Mountain
Park, at the junction of Lakemont Boulevard with Newcastle-Coal
Creek Road.
Features:
3 mi ballast, dirt trail in the Bellevue/Renton area. This trail
follows along a preserved suburban creek valley through third growth
forests once heavily used by the coal mining industry.
Other Info:
The east end of the trail enters Cougar Mountain Regional Park,
over 3000 acres and 25 additional miles of trails. Unsure on accessibility
of this abandoned rails corridor.
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Alki Point/Alki Beach Park
Directions:
Alki Beach Park stretches for 136 acres along Alki Avenue Southwest.
 Features:
In the summer, the sandy beachfront is often compared to Southern
California locales, with sunbathers and volleyball players crowding
the beach. The recently renovated Alki Beach Trail lies parallel
to the park, offering a nice vista with competition on the trail
with in-line skaters, bicyclists, runners and walkers. Though the
wheeled and pedestrian lanes are well-marked, use caution when approaching
other trail users from behind. This is a busy spot! The trail is
ADA compliant , as are the restrooms on the beach. Benches line
the trail, facing both the waterfront and the street, and picnic
benches and shelters are available for those who want to stop at
the scenic beachfront and enjoy a snack.
Other Info:
This historic site marks the spot where Northwest pioneers made
themselves at home in 1851 and built the area's first log cabin.
The pared-down version of the Statue of Liberty, across from 60th
Avenue Southwest, is another attraction. Also, check out the operating
lighthouse at Alki Point.
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Lincoln Park
 Directions:
Drive over West Seattle Bridge and stay on the "freeway"
until it ends (angling left). Keep on going straight for 2 lights.
By the third light keep on going straight (slightly to the left)
You should be on Fauntleroy Street. You'll stay on this street until
you get to Lincoln Park.
 Features:
Lincoln Park's 135 acres include trails along the bluff and the
shoreline. Wonderful old fir trees and beach path make this city
park a great placet.
Other Info:
Alright, this is a city park, but it is a great city park. Some
of the trails may not be wheelchair accessible, but it is worth
the trip to check it out. Big trees, nice beach path, and if you
live in the city, a great place to get away from it all!
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Salt Water State Park
Directions:
Located two miles south of Des Moines on State Route 509, near Sea-Tac
International Airport.
From the south: Take exit #147 off I-5. Follow signs west, and
turn right on 16th St. past the Safeway store (sign missing). Then
follow signs to park. Turn on Marine View Dr., which runs through
the park. Turn left into the park.
From the north: Take exit #149 off of I-5, go west, then turn south
on Hwy. 99 (sign missing).
Features:
2 miles of trails. The upper trails of the park have beautiful views
of Maury and Vashon Islands, the Olympic Mountains, and spectacular
sunsets. Note: The state Access recreation website indicates there
are .3 mi. accessible trails here.
Other Info:
Accessible restrooms, camping, water, picnic tables. Beach for picnicing
and clamming. Park info - (206) 878-0546
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Symbols
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An agency or a trip evaluation has rated
all or part of the trail as wheelchair accessible. |
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There is some terrain greater than a 5%
grade. A wheelchair user may require assistance on portions
of this trail. Suitable for power mobility devices. |
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No Dogs are allowed on the trail. |
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