The Green River is an impressive sight, first your heartbeat quickens and then your breath slows as your body settle into its tiny position amongst the wide splendor. This was our second time working with WTA in the O'Grady Natural Area outside Enumclaw and was just as gorgeous as the first. King County now maintains the former farm and has connected-up the trail system, which receives use from equestrians, hikers, ramblers and trail runners. It stays quiet down by the river because the trailhead is > 1mi (uphill) from it.
We planted little cedar plugs on a quite steep hillside. Many kids got stung by fresh juicy nettles and they boasted of who had the most. We also improved a trail section by reducing the uphill grade to prevent erosion and conversely, graded the downhill side to allow for drainage.
The friendly side river channel was very fun to play in (reportedly still a good depth in the summertime). In the fall, the spawning salmon are close-up and plentiful under the bridges. We'll be back!
Fawn bones. Likely killed by a cougar.
Farm country on the way to the park.
With their parent's permission, the children tried the taste of Polypodium glycyrrhiza / licorice fern that grows epiphytically, primarily on big leaf maples. Actual licorice flavour comes from Glycyrrhiza glabra and is in the legume family.
