Ohanapecosh and the Grove

Ohanapecosh is the forested counterpart to the alpine glamor of Paradise and Sunrise. Located near the southeast entrance off Highway 123, it protects a stand of ancient Douglas fir, western hemlock and western red cedar, many over 500 years old and a few well over a thousand. The Ohanapecosh River runs clear and cold through the forest, fed in part by warm mineral seeps that once supported a hot-springs resort. The visitor center, campground and trailheads here make a calm base for hikers who prefer shade to snowfields. Two easy walks stand out. The Grove of the Patriarchs is a short loop of about 1.3 miles that crosses a suspension bridge to a river island packed with huge trees, some of the largest in the park. The Silver Falls Loop is roughly three miles round trip through mossy forest to a wide, 75-foot cascade that is at its best in spring and early summer. Both trails are mostly flat and shaded, a welcome change on a hot day.

Access matters here. The southeast corner is reached via Highway 123 from Highway 12 near Packwood, or via Stevens Canyon Road from Paradise when it is open. Trail and bridge conditions can change after storms and floods, and parts of the area have been closed for repairs in the past, so check the park status page before you set out. In winter, Highway 123 and Stevens Canyon Road close for snow, and the area is generally inaccessible by car.

Plan about half a day to see both the Grove and Silver Falls, and more if you want to picnic or explore the visitor center. The camping and lodging in nearby Packwood make this a natural stop for visitors circling the mountain rather than doing a Seattle round trip. If you are staying in Packwood, mornings here are blissfully quiet before the day-trip traffic arrives.

This corner rewards slow travel. Bring a camera for the moss and light, take your time on the loops and consider continuing north along the Stevens Canyon Road, which links to Reflection Lakes and Paradise. Combined with the quiet charm of Packwood, it is the best choice for visitors who have seen the famous viewpoints and want the park's gentler side.

Photographers love the Grove for its soft, diffuse light under the canopy, so bring a lens that handles low light and consider a small tripod. Hot days are the best time to come, since the forest stays cool and the river offers a refreshing sound track. If you are driving, remember that the southeast corner has few services inside the park, so Packwood is the place for fuel, groceries and dinner.

Children enjoy the suspension bridge and the hunt for the biggest tree, and a simple game of counting rings on fallen logs makes the walk memorable. Remember to carry out all trash, stay off the roots, which are shallow and easily damaged, and let the forest stay as quiet as you found it.