Long weekend ripe for getting outdoors

Yacolt Burn State Forest

Information: www.dnr.wa.gov/AboutDNR/ManagedLands/Pages/amp_rec_yacolt_burn_state_forest.aspx or call 360-577-2025.

Recommended areas: Rock Creek Campground, Cold Creek Campground, Bells Mountain trail, Tarbell trailhead, Hagen Creek trail system.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Information: www.fs.usda.gov/giffordpinchot/ or call 360-891-5000

Recommended areas: Whistle Punk trail and Hemlock Picnic Area, Falls Creek trail, Curly Creek Falls trail, Lewis River trail to Bolt Camp, Wind River Dry Creek trail, Siouxon Creek trail and Lower Falls Recreation Area and Campground (visitors can reserve campsites for $15 a night in advance at http://recreation.gov).

Memorial Day weekend often marks the year’s first tease of the summer to come for outdoor enthusiasts, families and kids eagerly eyeballing the end of the school year.

Finding a place that isn’t completely saturated with other revelers, though, can sometimes be a challenge.

But not to worry. Experts at the Yacolt Burn State Forest and Gifford Pinchot National Forest have some tips on lesser-known trails, campgrounds and picnic areas suitable for families ready to enjoy some time in the wild.

“Right now, if you get out, you really increase your chance to see deer, elk, bear, raccoons and a whole lot of flowers,” said Josh Riepe, a natural resource specialist at the Yacolt Burn State Forest. “I recently noticed that there are lots and lots of hummingbirds out, too.”

Yacolt Burn State Forest has a variety of trails and campgrounds for nature lovers, whether they want a quiet walk through the trees or a louder ride on a dirt bike or other motorized off-road vehicle.

“The Bells Mountain and Tarbell trails, those are non-motorized hiking trails (for hikers, horses and mountain bikes),” Riepe said. “And for off-roaders we have the Jones Creek trail system and now the new Hagen Creek trail system, with three miles designed for jeeps and other off-road vehicles. That’s a new experience that people can have.”

The Hagen Creek trail system opened for the first time on May 1, he added.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources, which runs Yacolt Burn, has a trail map of those and other locations on its website at www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/eng_rms_tarbell_06_full.pdf.

For campers, Yacolt Burn offers the Rock Creek Campground and the Cold Creek Campground. Both areas also have day-use picnic areas.

Camping sites are first come, first served and don’t cost extra, but visitors will need either a day-use parking pass or yearly Discover Pass for parking and access. The passes cost $30 a year, or $11 for a single day-use pass and are available on site or online at www.discoverpass.wa.gov.

“Our campgrounds do fill up, but it’s pretty weather -dependant,” Riepe said. “If the weather looks good, you might want to get into a site by early afternoon to make sure you get one. If you want to camp in the rain, though, you won’t have a lot of company.”

There are also several lesser-known hiking and camping options for families at the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, said Robin Rose, the area’s recreation program manager.

Of the better-known sites, the Falls Creek trail is probably one to avoid if you’re looking to get away from crowds, Rose said.

“It’s going to be crazy on Memorial Day weekend,” Rose said. “It’s really nice there, but there are lots of other trails that aren’t nearly as busy.”

Somewhat less crowded and good for families with kids is the Whistle Punk trail.

“It’s just down the road from the Hemlock Picnic Area, so families can picnic after going for a nice hike,” Rose said.

The Forest Service has its own version of the Discover Pass called the Northwest Forest Pass, which is required at several sites in Gifford Pinchot. Those are $5 for a single day or $30 a year and are available on site or online at www.fs.usda.gov/main/giffordpinchot/passes-permits/recreation.

For lesser-used trails, Rose recommends the Lower Falls Recreation Area campground and day area and the Curly Creek Falls trail.

“The Lower Falls area is just beautiful, with really easy trails and beautiful forest,” Rose said. “And the Curly Creek Falls trail, which is free, is really pretty. It’s a short, little hike to a beautiful river on the lower Lewis River drainage.”

She also recommends the Lewis River trail’s first few miles up to Bolt Camp, which is a good beginner hike that runs along the river.

“Another one is up Wind River Day Creek trail, which goes above the Carson Fish Hatchery,” Rose said. “You could check out the hatchery and then go for a nice hike.”

And finally, she recommends the Siouxon Creek trail near Amboy, although she added that it can get a little busy on occasion.

“It goes up the creek drainage,” Rose said. “It’s a beautiful river with deep blue pools. It’s a good one whether it’s sunny or raining, because you’re under the cover of some really big, beautiful trees.”

For maps and more details on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, check out www.fs.usda.gov/main/giffordpinchot/maps-pubs.

“We’re eager for people to come and spend time in our forest,” Rose said.