Tumwater Historical Park Trail

Tumwater Historical Park trail.

Location: Tumwater, Thurston County.

Length: About a mile.

Level of difficulty: Level paved or gravel trails.

Setting: This 17-acre park is situated just north of where the falls of the Deschutes River (profiled here last week) tumble into the south end of Capitol Lake. The falls once flowed into the southern end of Puget Sound's Budd Inlet; however, the river was dammed to create a body of water to reflect the capitol building, so former tidal mud flats are now covered by fresh water.

Once a Native American village site, the area became the first American settlement north of the Columbia River in 1845. When Interstate 5 was built, much of Deschutes Way, Tumwater's busy main street, was taken over for the freeway route. About 90 buildings were moved or demolished for the interstate during the 1950s, but two historic houses remain in the upper part of the park.

Highlights: A short nature trail gives access to the wetlands at the edge of the lake, and five interpretive signs throughout the park describe the area's history.

A paved path leads under the I-5 bridge along the shores of Capitol Lake. Visitors can also view the base of Tumwater Falls, as well as the original 1906 brick Olympia Brewery, across the lake. The upper part of the park features the 1905 Henderson House Museum, the 1858 Crosby House (built by Bing Crosby's grandparents) and a reconstruction of a pioneer cabin.

For more park information, call 360-754-4160 or 4163 (museum).

Facilities: Restrooms, water, phone, playground and boat launch for nonmotorized vessels.

Restrictions: Leash and scoop laws in effect for pets; no bikes on wetlands trail.

Directions: From southbound I-5, take Exit 103 and go straight on Second Avenue. Turn left on Custer Way, cross the bridge, turn right on Boston Street, turn right on Deschutes Way and turn right on Simmons Avenue or Grant Street. From northbound I-5, take Exit 103, go straight several blocks on Deschutes Way, and proceed as above.

Cathy McDonald is coauthor with Stephen Whitney of "Nature Walks In and Around Seattle," with photographs by James Hendrickson (The Mountaineers, second edition, 1997).