95 Good Days in Tacoma: Spooky Fall Hike at Point Defiance

Yesterday, we got together with some moms from the forums for a hike at the Point Defiance Rhododendron Garden. I haven't hiked this trail since before last year's wind storm, and it's made some interesting changes to the landscape.

(I didn't get pictures of the best parts, since I forgot my camera and had to drive by and take some quick shots later.) Huge, ancient trees fell in that storm, and where they landed they've been cut into giant logs which line the trail and create little shady clearings surrounded by gnarled, exposed tree roots. We walked into one such clearing and the kids announced that they were in a storybook. It did feel like at at any moment Snow White's stepmother would step out and offer us an apple.

Aside from the storybook quality, all the recently fallen trees provide some great educational opportunities. In one spot, a wall-sized section of dirt and roots lies completely perpendicular to the ground, where a giant tree went down. Huge logs lie cut on either side of the path, perfect for counting rings and watching the development of "nurse" logs.

The trail is pretty flat and tame, and hikers have the option of just looping around back to the Rhododendron Garden (not in bloom right now) or continuing on to the network of trails that runs all around the park. In drier times, I've seen runners on this trail, although it was a bit too slippery for that yesterday.

The garden is past the zoo but before the turn to Owen Beach, on the left hand side. Most people park on the side of the road by the entrance. There's also a large covered picnic area that was the scene of some wild table dancing yesterday. (We Tacoma Mamas know how to party.)

Pt. Defiance Park Rhododendron Garden

5400 N Pearl St

Tacoma, WA