Bob Bammert Grove Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Bob Bammert Trailhead
- End point: Bob Bammert Big Tree
- Hike Type: Lollipop loop
- Distance: 1.2 miles
- High point: 565 feet
- Elevation gain: 315 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
This short hike takes you into a remnant patch of old growth above the confluence of Mima and Mill Creeks in the 100,000 acre Capitol State Forest. The tall Douglas-firs here are not huge (The largest is about six feet in diameter), but it is amazing that they exist at all considering that the area has undergone over 100 years of intensive logging as well as destructive fires.
The old company logging town of Bordeaux, founded in 1901 by two French brothers, was a mile east of this trailhead. By 1941, most of the viable timber had been logged and the settlement was abandoned. The townsite is closed to public access. The Bob Bammert Grove is named after a Department of Natural Resources manager who advocated successfully for preservation of one of the last slopes of old-growth conifers.
Mill Creek joins Mima Creek just below the parking area, but to do the hike, cross the road to the large Bob Bammert Grove sign. The pole-and-rail fenced trail traverses up a steep slope above Mima Creek in a lush understory of devil’s club and sword fern. Douglas-firs and big-leaf maples from the canopy. A footbridge passes over a series of tumbling seeps. Switchback and keep traversing up until the trail levels and reaches the junction at the beginning of the loop.
Go right, and descend across a small creek. Here there are tall Douglas-firs three to four feet in diameter but also large rotting fire-scarred snags. Some mature hemlocks and cedars also reach for the canopy. On the western edge of this loop, you’ll see some large stumps, indicating that loggers came close to destroying this grove. Drop a little, and then rise under mossy vine maple arches. Make a traverse through salal and sword fern before passing by the largest tree in the grove: this Douglas-fir is about six feet in diameter. Pass a bench and a sign for the grove; then drop to cross a plank bridge over a gully and reach the end of the loop. Go right to return to your vehicle.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Capitol State Forest Recreation & Trails Map (Washington DNR)
- Washington Department of Natural Resources: Capitol State Forest
Regulations or restrictions, etc
- $10 day-use pass or annual Discover Pass required
- Dogs on leash
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Bob Bammert Grove Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Bob Bammert Grove Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Urban Trails: Olympia by Craig Romano
More Links
- Capitol State Forest – Bob Bammert Grove Loop (Washington Trails Association)
- Bob Bammert Grove (The Mountaineers)
- Bob Bammert Grove Trail (All Trails)
- Capitol State Forest (Washington DNR)
- Capitol Forest History (Capitol Forest.com)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)