Swofford Pond Trail (original) (raw)

As winter approaches and the days get shorter, it becomes more difficult to find places where we can get outdoors and enjoy a quiet hike through the woods.

Snow closes many trails and their access roads at higher elevations by mid-November. There are, however, some nearby trails that remain open almost year-round. We visited one of these last week at Swofford Pond, near Mossyrock.

The Swofford Pond Trail is fairly new, or at least parts of it are new. It parallels the south shore of this 240-acre lake through part of the Cowlitz Wildlife Area, which is owned by Tacoma Power and managed by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The trail is about 1½ miles long, so the entire trip covers about three miles. Even though there are a few short up and down segments, the trail is basically flat and very easy to hike.

It goes through hardwood and coniferous forests as well as skirting several open areas. The open areas are parts of fields that existed before a small dam was constructed across Sulphur Creek to flood the valley and create Swofford Pond.

The trail begins at the boat launch and parking area at the east end of the lake. A new short section of trail completed last spring connects the parking area to an old road that was previously accessed by walking along the shoulder of Green Mountain Road.

Other new and reconstructed trail sections and signing have been added off the end of this old road after it crosses Sulphur Creek via a wooden bridge.

The trail ends in an open area at the west end of Swofford Pond. Between Sulphur Creek and the end, several wet trail sections have been improved by the addition of short, wooden plank walkways.

Even with these walkways there is plenty of water and mud in spots, so wear waterproof or water-resistant footwear if you want to keep your feet dry. This is especially true during the winter.

If you happen to go on a reasonably clear day, be sure to walk downhill toward the lake through the open area at the end of the trail. Looking east over the lake, you will be rewarded with a picture-postcard view of Swofford Valley with snow-covered Mount Rainier as a backdrop.

The best times of the day to see wildlife along the trail are mornings and evenings, when elk or deer may come down to the water's edge. Although we didn't see either, we saw many fresh tracks of both.

In the water along the way, we saw lots of different kinds of waterfowl, including mallards and pintail ducks and what we assume were black brant. There are numerous places where one can walk down nearer the water to get a better look at these or, as we did, to start them quacking and honking while flying to another part of the lake.

There are one or more otters that frequent the lake and even a few muskrats might be seen. They will likely be seen swimming near the shore or, if you are fortunate, be on land near the shore.

Ospreys and eagles are abundant here at times. Look for eagles later in the winter and ospreys in the late spring and early summer during their nesting season.

Swofford Pond Trail is a good diversion for the entire family if you go there for fishing and the fish aren't biting or you get bored. Take along binoculars and a bird identification book and see what kinds of waterfowl or other birds you can spot.

Walk very quietly and you might see a deer or some elk before they see you and head for the hills.

This is a perfect trail for a short hike to get away from it all, at least for a little while.

Buddy Rose is a lifelong outdoor sportsman and resource professional in Lewis County. He brings an extensive background of experience and practical knowledge to his weekly writings in the "Outdoors" section. Rose can be reached at budlisarose@juno.com.