Old Growth Hike

Hey everyone-

Got some friends coming to visit and wanted to know if there are any great old growth forest hikes near Seattle.
We probably don't want to drive more than an hour and a half or so to get to the trail head, so that kind of eliminates anything
on the Olympic peninsula. Just wondering if anyone knows of any great hikes in the big trees somewhat close to Seattle.

Thanks very much for your input!
Sabrina

I'll bet there's something in Mt. Rainer National Park.

Here's a list of hikes near Seattle-Tacoma. There are at least 3 with old growth.

Here's another one.

Nice link, #2. I note that the three options labeled old-growth are between 60 miles and 75 miles from Seattle. If there's anything closer, I don't know about it.

Hey thanks a lot everyone!
I am excited to see the great links and look forward to hiking in the big trees thanks to your posts!
Muchas gracias,

Sabrina

Have a great time! For more info about Seattle, see FAQ post 152: "Willysnout's Biased Guide to Seattle"

Peaceandlove...There is an "old growth" area along the Enumclaw-Crystal Mountain road. It is along the White River and is called the Women's Federated State Forest. I has a nice picnic area and has hiking trails. I believe that Weyerhaeuser gave the land to that group a long time ago and would love having it back as you can tell from the size of the trees. It is about 20 miles from Enumclaw on highway 410. After saying all of that, I just read a little blurb about it temporarily being closed. If you yahoo or google Women's Federated State Forest (for Washington State), it will give you a link.

Another park that is in Seattle which I love because of the trees is Lincoln Park in West Seattle. Though they are not native to this area, the Redwoods that are in the park are very impressive....as are the native Madronas.

Good luck!

OP, when are you planning on going? Just about every one of the hikes in those links is inaccessible due to snow until July. Also, they list many Rainier hikes which won't be accessible at all this year due to storm damage.

The Boulder River hike, in that first link, would be an exception. It should be snow free, but call the Darrington Ranger district first to make sure trail conditions are ok (so much was washed out in November). Also, it is pushing your 1.5 hour drive limit-it'll be a bit more. If you do it on a weekday time it so you miss rush hour, since you'll have to drive I-5 Seattle to Arlington. Bring warm clothes and rain gear-even when it's not raining, it's raining in the Darrington Ranger District.

Much closer to Seattle: A good bet is the Twin Falls trail in Olallie State Park near North Bend. Short hike, snow free, big waterfall, old growth. Twin Falls If you were looking for something longer, try the Middle Fork Snoqualmie trail, outside of North Bend. There you get old growth and a river. Middle Fork

Schmitz Park in West Seattle has some old growth. I think Seward Park does, too. But those aren't actual hikes.

http://www.seattle.gov/parks/parkspaces/Schmitz.htm

The link above is for Schmitz Park in West Seattle. It's rather pedestrian hiking, but it is an old growth forest right in the city!

To follow up on #7.

Going out 410 to Greenwater, there are tons trails in the area. All NF.....check with the ranger station in Enumclaw. They have maps. The Greenwater Lakes trail is beautiful.

Info here.