3.3 hr
Overview
First logged at the end of the 19th century, the Black Hills southwest of Olympia soon saw extensive clearcutting, some major fires, and 100 miles of logging railroad. Most of what is now the Capitol State Forest was purchased by the state in 1933 at 50 cents an acre. This is a working forest, with timber funds going into the state education system and the local economy. A network of trails, horse/hiker/biker in the central section and ATV in the northern section, allows the public explore the property. The loop described here will take you through some replanted clearcuts, but also some older coniferous forest as well as the boggy bottomlands of the East Fork Mima Creek and its tributaries. The destination is the pretty but diminutive Mima Falls , but the loop continues through shady ridgetop woodland and along old logging railroad grades. The trails can get quite muddy in the wet season, when horses are not permitted. Trail names have changed in recent years, so make sure you have a current map. Relevant junctions are clearly signed, and most have trail maps showing your location.
Trail Stats
10.5 km
242 m
198 m
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Photos
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Trail photo
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