Sat 5/19 Twin Falls Natural Area, Issaquah, WA

This weekend the weather was perfect for a hike! I headed up to Twin Falls Natural Area in Olallie State Park to get some exercise and do some natural history.

The river, lined by Big Leaf Maple trees

The sky: 50% cloud cover, warm weather (low 70s)

Another shot of the river

Standing on the edge of the water

Some of the dominant species I recognize include:
Salmonberry
Swordfern
Scotchbroom
Big Leaf Maple
White Cabbage Butterfly
Dull Oregon Grape
Pileated Woodpecker (AWESOME!)
Douglas Fir (Huge! Must have been 30 feet around)
Yew
Spruce
Nobel Fir
Birch
Ash
Alder
Chipmunk (So cute, but too quick for my iPhone camera! My photo is blurry...but I will add it anyway)

This trail follows the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River. I must say, I think this is one of the best waterfall hikes in the Seattle area! We hiked about 3 miles down the trail and back. The trek was a bit steeper than I would have liked (considering my knee injury--ouch!) but I managed. There were some really amazing trees on this hike. There was one fir tree that was absolutely ENORMOUS! I've never seen such a huge tree (but I suppose I have never been to the Redwood Forest...). Regardless, this was a very impressive tree. I believe this area is old-growth, because there was a wide variety of species and a dense understory.

The waterfall (upper)

The waterfall (lower)

Standing on the bridge by the waterfall

View from the bridge...look at all the different species of trees!

Posted on June 5, 2012 05:35 AM by kates17