Hiking around Valley Camp during the winter months has always brought with it varied weather experiences, and for those that love the rain an opportunity to experience the rainforest in all its beauty.

This year has been a bit different than many in the past; so far this winter most all trails below 2000 feet have been open and easily passable.
One such trail to consider is the trail up to Granite Lakes. This trail is great for mountain bikes, horses and hikers. Once you arrive at the lake if you want some scenic vistas look for the trail heading up towards Thompson Lake, for part of the way it is an old logging road that then becomes a trail heading off to your left. Depending on the snow level that day you might make it all the way to the top of the mountain and be rewarded with a breath taking view of the entire Cascade range as well as several alpine lakes.

Plenty of other hiking and bird and wildlife watching opportunities abound in the lower valley. The Oxbow area about 5 miles up the valley is a wildlife rich area that also gives the explorer an opportunity to become aquatinted with Northwest river ecology.

There are several great walks that can be taken of varied lengths available right around Valley Camp. We have trail maps and can give you plenty of ideas and let you know what you might see on any given day. If you are interested in what the forest might have looked like 100 years ago we have a few secrets right here in Valley Camp that are absolutely amazing. If you ask at the camp office about this, you just might get a personalized guided hike by our resident naturalist.

Enjoy the gift of a mild winter and take a hike!