**Update as of 7/29/2014 - According to many trip reports on
WTA.org, the trail is not closed 2 miles in, despite signs (and the Snohomish County Parks website) saying otherwise. Many reviewers hiked the trail with children and had no problem with the trail conditions. Keep in mind that there are steep, narrow parts along the trail, so make sure to supervise your kids to avoid accidents. :-)
**Update as of 4/4/14 - Trail is closed 2 miles in due to slides and unstable condition. See my
post for more info.
Even thought I've hiked
Lime Kiln Trail several time, it's one of my favorites. It's close to home (about 35 minutes from North Everett) and not a difficult trail to hike.
There is a gravel parking area at the trail head and there were 2 vehicles there when we arrived with friends. We hiked on a Thursday, but I'm sure the parking area is busier on the weekends. I did read on the
WTA.org website that there have been several car break-ins/prowls over the last couple of months. ALWAYS remove valuables from your vehicle when leaving it at a trail head (car prowls are common at trail heads because there are usually long periods of time where vehicles are left unattended). You can't always avoid the risk of someone breaking into your vehicle, but if there isn't anything visible, I'm sure it lessens the chance. If there isn't anything to steal, it's that much less of a headache for you if someone does break in.
**Update - I forgot to include this when I originally published this post. It's about the washouts along the trail. There has been one main washout along the trail for the past couple of years which has been easily passable. It's still passable, but has washed out a little bit more. There is a new, big slide area, which is easily passable as well. We had a 3 year old and a 6 year old that did fine with parental help. Just wanted to make a note, so that you would know what to expect on the trail. :)**
Lots of Salmon Berries along the trail! This is my favorite spot for Salmon Berries and I hit them at their prime!
We hiked the whole trail to the riverbank at the end (7 miles round trip). We had lunch on the riverbank. Lots of big rocks to sit on there.
Before you get to the river you will see the old lime kiln and some artifacts. Please leave all artifacts where they are. Here is a
link with more history about Robe Canyon Historic Park and the lime kiln.
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| Here is the old lime kiln |
Pretty scenery along the way:
Not a whole lot of flowers in bloom, but I spotted a few:
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| Foxglove |
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| Red Columbine - the only one I saw, growing down by the river. |
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| Baldhip Rose |
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| A little green frog we spotted |
Fungus pictures:
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| Slug finishing a snack |
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| Oyster Mushrooms, I think. |
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| Pretty sure these are Eyelash Cup fungus. See the eyelashes around the edges? |
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| I think these are Yellow Tuning Fork mushrooms |
And...here is a big happy trails to you from a tree monster along the trail!
