It is a treat to have the McLane Creek Nature Trail in your neighborhood. Olympic Sotheby’s International Realty understands how locals like nearby access to outdoor activities, and that includes gems like McLane. Being able to bring the whole family, including the dog, and experience forest outings year-round is great. Having access close to home is very special, and residents out in the Delph Valley, west of Olympia, know what a treasure the McLane Creek Nature Trail is.
McLane Creek Nature Trail a Place for Nature Lessons and Year-Round Wonders
McLane Creek Nature Trail is accessible year-round with a new look each season, and it’s a great place to introduce young people or out-of-towners to a Pacific Northwest forest. Spring brings the turtles out on to logs for sunning and ducks to the water. Summer visits provide a cool and shady respite from the sun. Fall means golden leaves falling from the enormous maple trees, and it means getting to see the salmon run from the creek overlook points. Winter visits allow for a deeper look through the forest without foliage covering the view.
Bigleaf maples, western cedars, Douglas fir, red alder, western hemlock, bottle brush trees and more can be great talking points for discussing tree species. Skunk cabbage, lily pads and cattails can make for a short wetland introduction, and the springboard notches in the stumps and the straight-lined railroad path through the center of the larger loop trail add a historical logging aspect.
“It’s great to see seasonally how things can change so drastically in a short amount of time, the leaves, the temperatures,” says Matt Guile, Olympic Sotheby’s International Realty agent and Cougar Ridge resident. “Since these places remain accessible year-round, you get the ease of access and visual shifts in the environment that are really cool to see. In general, having outdoor spaces that are close and convenient to downtown that provide hiking and biking, such as Capitol State Forest in the Black Hills and protected areas like trails and wetlands showing off nature, is special and unique.”
Wildlife is everywhere at McLane Creek. From the wooden overlooks, check out the logs near the water, and you may see turtles sunning. The pond exists due to beavers damming one of the small streams that run into McLane Creek. Since then, newts swim beneath lily pads each spring. The birds like the standing dead trees, and ducks and grebes like the tall cattails.
Hikes for All Ages at McLane Creek Nature Trail
From the upper parking area at McLane Creek Nature Trail, take the path that brings you down to the pond loop and lower parking area where the restrooms are. Both pond overlooks connected to the lower parking are wheelchair friendly. More than a mile of walking trails encircles the wetland area. A straight path through the middle cuts the trek to just over a half of a mile, and raised wooden walkways and small bridges are scattered along the path.
The trail layout offers many variations, and the diversity of forest vegetation, raised walkways and bridges provides highlights for any dynamic of visitors. At the back of the loop, view McLane Creek and the fall salmon run from the overlook deck or dead-end bridge crossing just down trail. Bring your journal, sketch pad or camera as the natural setting is quite peaceful and inspiring.
Living Near McLane Creek in the Delphi Valley
With the Black Hills and Capitol State Forest behind them, homes and farmland surrounding McLane Creek Nature Trail have a beautiful backdrop. Cougar Ridge, a small subdivision of custom homes on Delphi Road, backs up to the Capitol Forest and McLane Creek. Residents enjoy eagles and hawks flying over and a rural quietness on their walks through the neighborhood. Along Delphi Road, seeing horses, cattle, llamas, barns and signs for chicken egg sales are all common sights. Lots with acreage are also common, and residential living feels out-of-the-way and calm.
“The peaceful setting and the feeling that you are outside the city yet also have close proximity to the necessities and conveniences makes it really appealing,” Guile says. “Each neighborhood definitely has a strong community, neighborly feeling to it, whether it is the Alpine Hills, Camelot, Cougar Ridge or Delphi Golf Course community. Our neighbors are kind and friendly and want to help each other get the best out of their property.”
Living on the western side of Olympia gives people an easy jumping-off point to recreation spots. Black Lake is just to the south. Access to coastal highways heading west to Aberdeen and north to Shelton and the Hood Canal are all a short drive away. West Olympia shopping, food and services are also just a 10-minute drive.
Ready to look for a new home near the forest and the trail just on the edge of town? Call Olympic Sotheby’s International Realty or visit their website today.
