Walking into the the Grove of the Patriarchs near the Ohanapecosh section of Mt. Rainier National Park feels like a cathedral. Groves of ancient Douglas-fir, hemlock and Western red cedar trees leave the air musty-sweet and clean, and visitors realize the insignificance of their own size.  To put it in perspective, when Columbus landed in the New World, some of these trees were already 500 years old.  Clustered on a small island in the Ohanapecosh River, some of the oldest trees are more than 30 feet in circumference and have survived fires and floods for a thousand years.  A bridge over the river leads to a one mile boardwalk and interpretive trail where you can revere the eminence of this natural place.  The trail takes about an hour to complete and the best hiking season is June through October.  The trail is kid friendly and stroller accessible.

Stand of 1,000-year-old western red cedar, Douglas fir, and western hemlock in Mt. Rainier National Park offers birding by ear. Listen for Winter Wrens, Pileated Woodpeckers, Northern Saw-whet Owls. See Southwest Loop of the Great Washington State Birding Trail.

Area Birding

HABITAT: Ancient grove of 1,000-year-old western red cedar, Douglas fir, and western hemlock in Mt. Rainier National Park.

BIRDING: By ear: Listen for Winter Wrens in understory, and high on trees for Pileated Woodpeckers, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, and Northern Saw-whet Owls (after dark). Catch fleeting glimpses of Common Mergansers and American Dippers on river.

VIEWING: Take 1-mile loop trail along Ohanapecosh River to grove.

ACCESS: From Hwy 12 at milepost 138.5, turn north onto Hwy 123. Drive 5.3 miles. Turn left (west) onto Hwy 706 (Stevens Canyon Rd) toward Paradise. Drive 0.1 mile to park entrance. Drive 0.1 mile into park. Turn right into trail parking area.