Another Great Stop on Highway 20 going to Winthrop
Just about anyone can stop for this nature walk because it is also rated as an ADA hike. My youngest and I took my parents along to see this peaceful Happy Creek Nature Walk.
The parking lot is quite small, but so is the hike itself; only 0.3 miles. There is a top notch pit toilet at the trailhead, as well as two handicap spaces.
The trail loops through a thick forest of many different trees from cedar and fir to vine maple along the small creek.
We went clockwise and the boardwalk decking is very impressive. Passing benches and focusing on the forest, the trail turns to pressed gravel for a short stretch.
As the trail reaches the creek, it also regains the boardwalk. There are benches in a wide gathering space and a trail that leads 1.2 miles to Happy Creek Falls.
For such a small creek, Happy Creek is loud and enhances this nature walk with sounds familiar on big mountain trails. My parents are both retired hikers and enjoyed the memories of being on a trail, miles from civilization.
The boardwalk follows the creek as it winds around trees, some of which hang over the trail inviting a "vine maple monkey swing" to energetic youth.
This is the sign on Highway 20
Soon the boardwalk turns away from the creek and connects to the loop and we followed the original trail to the car.
My mom wanted me to note that it is a little steep going into the top point of the loop. She is in a wheelchair and noted that it would be tough for her to manually get there without the help of me and my pops.
Get there: From I-5 take Highway 20 east past Marblemount find the trailhead on the right past milepost 134. There is a restroom at the trailhead.
