The Hiker Mama

paradise valley conservation area, hiking with kids, urban hikes

Paradise Valley Conservation Area – Trip Report

paradise valley conservation area, hiking with kids, urban hikes
Running up the Trail

Even after we’ve been living in this area for many years, there are still parks we haven’t been to yet.  Last Friday we went to one that is fairly close to us, the Paradise Valley Conservation Area.

washington forest plants, paradise valley conservation area, hikes with kids
Lush spring vine maples

This lovely park is covered with mature second-growth forest, and a network of 10 miles of mixed-use trails give you many choices for length of hikes and habitat to walk through.

paradise valley conservation area, hiking with children
Forest of ferns

We meandered slowly along the Mainline Trail, then circled around on the Cascara and Whispering Firs Trails.

Paradise Valley conservation area, hikes with kids
Pointing the Way

We printed out the map from the website before we went, and Gabe and Annika led us along, making the decisions of where to turn each time.

paradise valley conservation area, hikes with kids
Trail Marker

Every trail junction is well marked, and there are numbered waypoints to help you know where you are with even more clarity.  It was a really good exercise for the kids in their map skills.

birds washington, woodpecker holes, birding with children
Evidence of woodpeckers

We stopped often and enjoyed the birdsong, even though it was the middle of the afternoon.  I’d like to go back some spring morning and hear the dawn chorus. We were surprised to hear ravens, and enjoyed the melodies of Swainson’s thrushes and winter wrens.  We think we heard blackheaded grosbeaks, as well as a few other species.

interpretive signs, nurse logs, paradise valley conservation area, hiking with children
Always learning

Interpretive signs line the trails, giving information about native plants.  We had a snack in The Clearing, where there are wide benches for a little rest.

paradise valley conservation area, hiking with children, urban hikes
The Clearing

There were some muddy sections, and we did have to step aside for a few mountain bikers, but there is plenty of room for everyone, and there are some trails that are hiker only.

paradise valley conservation area, hiking with children, urban hikes
One of the muddy sections

This was a really nice place to come to stretch our legs and get our dose of nature.  I know we’ll be back many times. [You can read more about this park in the Seattle Times Article about it.]

washington native flowers, pink flowers, native plants, paradise valley conservation area
Wild rose
kids hiking, paradise valley conservation area
Gabe smiling

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2 responses to “Paradise Valley Conservation Area – Trip Report”

  1. Tonya Avatar
    Tonya

    What a great place to have so close! Great shot of Gabe!:)

    1. Hiker Mama Avatar
      Hiker Mama

      Thanks, Tonya!

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