Hiking with Friends in Capitol State Forest

Leslie recommended a hike in the woods nearby for Tuesday's morning activity, so we gladly joined...

The trails are part of the Washington State system...

... in the Capitol State Forest. Our plan was to do about a mile loop around the ponds (lower left part of the map). It had an option of a shorter path by taking the straight path at the midpoint if we got tired early.

8 Bluebirders joined for the hike... 7 in one picture...

... One photographer for the group shot!

Our first view of the pond - plants on the pond...

Pretty flower in the area with the cattails on the edge...

A lot of the trail was on boardwalks which were in very good shape!

Another view of the pond...

The yellow thing in the middle down near the water is a flower...

There's another one - just under the water.

It was shady and cool on most of the path on the Pond Loop...

Lots of moss on trees.

Along a creek... backsides and...

front sides!

There were several very neat looking remnants of trees - many of them had younger trees growing up from the stumps of older trees.

The paths around the pond were wide and easy to walk.

We saw a Banana Slug (I think that's what others said it was)...

Kathie picked up the stick that it was on and it "made eyes" at her!

We met a "wild animal" along the path - well, a young bulldog. His owner was glad for the socialization skills that he got to practice with us...

.... a bit of too much of a close-up to the camera! But he was sweet!

Quiet and peaceful (except generally wherever our group was - not so quiet!)

Beautiful upperstory...

Lovely big trees...

Evergreens and deciduous...

Glorious creation of God!

We took a "connector" to another loop trail...

We had started on the "Pond Loop" on the lower left side, then took the connector (shown on the upper middle of the map) to the Forest Loop on the upper right side of the map.

The Forest Loop trail was not quite as wide as the Pond Loop was.

Toward the end of the Forest Loop we saw trees marked with "Timber Sale Boundary". The Forest Service is managing the health of the forest by allowing some timber sales.

We had a great time being outside and getting a good hike. It was much cooler today - for much of the hike long sleeves and jackets were comfortable. No need for air conditioning on the bus - a nice breeze kept it cool and comfortable!