1.9 hr
Overview
The East Fork of the Lewis River flows past the town of La Center in wide looping fashion. In the late 19th century, La Center was a sternwheeler port connected to the Columbia River and had several mills. In the 1930s, however, the river lowlands were diked to create cropland, destroying the seasonal wetland that had once flooded the wide expanse below the town. In 1993, a portion of this land was purchased for the public, and a trail was built on top of the old levee. In a new 2015 project, the dike was breached in three additional places, and the winter water has returned via more channels, enhancing habitat for waterfowl and stabilizing the levee. Bring binoculars to look for Canada and cackling geese, swans, pintails, buffleheads, mallards, and ring-necked ducks as well as herons and egrets. You can extend the hike by heading up the Brezee Creek Trail, and then by taking La Center's Heritage Trail past a stormwater mitigation wetland before returning to the Sternwheeler Park Trailhead via Aspen Avenue.
Trail Stats
6.8 km
94 m
82 m
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Photos
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