June 15, 2013 - Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, Olympia WA

Our first family hike of 2013 was at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge in Olympia Washington. The hike was the Saturday before Father's Day and it was rather warm and sunny. Before leaving on our hike, we ate a picnic lunch in a grassy area near the start of the trail. Claire and Jessica walked together, and I carried Levi in the baby-backpack.




Luke, holding Claire and carrying Levi.

   

Claire and Jessica in front of the Twin Barns.

 The trail was very kid friendly and a very long section of the trail was boardwalk over the "water" which was actually just mud because the tide was out at the time of our visit. This hike would probably be better when the tide is in and when there is more wildlife to observe.

 

Jessica:

This trail starts in a forested wetlands which also has you walking on boardwalk. The ponds and surrounding wetlands are beautiful and we've even been lucky enough to see beavers on hikes here. Birders and bird watching abound! Once through the wetlands the trail leads you to a gravel path past the twin barns in the direction of the delta, which is fed by fresh-water springs and the river. We saw many large blue herons and at least two varieties of ducks along the board-walk. Because the delta feeds into the Puget Sound, salt-water wildlife is found at low tide which made it fun for us as we were hiking at low tide. Tiny crabs (.5 to 1 inch shells) and shiny black mussels could be spotted easily in the mud. Claire loved this. At the end of the boardwalk, way out in the middle of the delta, you are rewarded with a large shady pavilion with benches. This is where we chose to picnic, and, as it was hot the day we went it made for a great spot for the kids to "regroup". The view was pretty and quiet and calm. (Would have made for excellent napping under different circumstances!) I would recommend packing a sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen if you are planning a trip on a sunny day as there are few shaded rest areas along the way.