Heart O' the Forest Trail

Heart O' the Forest is a 4.6-mile out-and-back from Loop E of Heart O' the Hills Campground to the park boundary and back. Allow about two hours, plus time to stop at the streams. The trail descends toward a ravine on its outer half, so the return climbs the same ground. Come for old trees and a quiet forest walk; there is no summit or big view at the turnaround. Published round-trip figures range from 4.0 to 4.8 miles; 4.6 miles reflects the current 2.3-mile distance to the boundary.

The broad opening crosses a stream on a bridge and passes skunk cabbage on a short boardwalk. It climbs about 50 feet past large western redcedars and Douglas-firs, then eases into shade beneath a dense understory of ferns. The tread is initially wide and fairly level, making this a gentle start before the path narrows farther in.

After roughly the first mile, the route enters younger forest and follows the edge of a ravine near Lake Creek. It descends more noticeably, crosses a side creek on another bridge and grows rougher and brushier near the end. You can hear Lake Creek, but the trail does not reach it. The tread stops at a boundary with no through route; turn around and retrace the same path.

The streams are part of the habitat for tailed frogs. Their tadpoles cling to rocks with sucker-like mouths and take about two years to mature. The surrounding old growth is also nesting habitat for marbled murrelets: adults nest high on mossy branches and fly to the coast to feed. Neither animal is guaranteed to appear, so treat those as reasons to look closely, not promised sightings.

The trail begins in Heart O' the Hills Campground's Loop E. Day hikers can park in the large lot just south of the trailhead; park entry fees apply year-round, and valid park passes are accepted. Restrooms and potable water are available at the campground, but no food or services were found along the route, so fill up before leaving. Dogs and bicycles are not allowed on park trails.