Meadowdale Beach Park

We weren't able to get out for much hiking in Michigan, and after 4.5 years we have moved back to the PNW, this time with two kids in tow.

We flew in on Father's Day,  yesterday, landing just before 9am local time. After letting the kids get settled in our temporary apartment, we opted to get them outside to stretch their legs and see some quintessential sights.

After a 4.5 hour flight we didn't want a long drive and K had requested that we go to the beach. Meadowdale Beach Park was perfect. Parking can be tight as it's limited and it was Father's Day but we lucked out and a family was returning as we got there and so we got a spot directly in the lot. The hike isn't long, just over a mile, but it's mostly downhill to start with a wide gravel path. There are 85 steps put in by an enterprising Eagle Scout. I do believe there is wheelchair and more accessible paths down at the bottom but I'm not sure on the directions to that specialized lot.

There's lots to see and the path down is lined with Salmonberry bushes, which right about now are ripening! K's school for Kindergarten and 1st grade in Michigan was very outdoor and environmental science focused and one of her classmates gifted her a kids nature journal. We plan on continuing that ESP learning with our hikes out here and I'll probably work in our education to this blog. So expect it to become more kid focused. We'll be doing less technical hikes as we want H, the three year old, to navigate the trail on her own as much as possible.

I think that's enough background ;) Onward!

 K had some chaco like sandals, Eric was in sneaker, H had flip flops with a heel and I was in flip flops. While doing this walk down and up is possible in flip flops (as I did it), I would honestly recommend at least a more secure sandal. There are some steep inclines and having a solid tread and fit to your foot will make your steps more confident.

 Not going to lie, I took a big deep breath as we stepped into the tall forest canopy and just felt at home and at peace. I've missed this area of the country.

 The kids were fascinated by the giant tree stumps left over from logging (there's even evidence of it in the notches cut into the trees)

 There's little streams for exploring that come down into the gulch and feed into the larger stream that becomes an estuary.

 There were lots of families there for us to walk with and explore.

 Down at the bottom, just after the ranger house. Accessible parking is near here and the path becomes paved. You can apply for access and get a gate code if you require a more accessible way to the beach. Note, the beach itself is not modified for accessibility. It has sand, driftwood and larger rounded pebbles.

 A grate covers the estuary stream that feeds into the sound. This allows humans to use the same tunnel as the stream. We walk on top, and the salmon that come up this stream can move unimpeded under the railway.

 The tunnel under the train tracks.

 The ceiling is low!

 The estuary stream empties into the sound right on the beach, which allows for some neat ecological exploring! There's lots of driftwood and a couple picnic tables for ample seating, even with crowds! The stream is great for wading for the kids and the beach itself has a gentle grade and minimal waves.

Eelgrass!

Hazy view of the Olympic Peninsula

 We found lots of crab molts in several sizes, as well as a few larger legs from someone's meal.

 H was not entirely thrilled about the texture of the eelgrass and seaweed but slowly gained confidence.

 K is showing off her find. There's some kelp/brown algae (I haven't been able to identify it further, but it's kelp or a Fucus spp. maybe Fucus vesiculosus)

 Barnacles and small snails on many rocks that K picked up. We also taught that you can pick up and look, but always put the animals back in their home.

 This is some kind of red epiphytic algae on common eelgrass. From what I'm finding, identification requires a microscope though, so you'll get best common guesses from me.

 The salmonberries were pretty picked over, but I was able to find a few that were ripe and ready. This led to a chorus of "I want more berries!" from H, which we indulged later at the grocery store, much to her delight.

3 year old thief.