No. 220 Rainbow Falls State Park

Rainbow Falls State Park
4008 State Highway 6
Chehalis, WA 98532

From I-5: Take exit 77, go west on state highway 6 about 17 miles. Turn right on Chandler road (will cross over a new bridge) go 0.3 miles and turn right on Leudinghaus road. Travel 0.8 miles on Leudinghaus road and turn right into the park. Upon entering the park, the campground area will be to your right and the group camp and day-use area will be to your left.

Rainbow Falls State Park is located along the east flow of the Chehalis River around 16 miles west of the city of Chehalis.  The 139 acre state park is split in two by the Chehalis River and State highway 6. A heavy winter storm in December of 2007 washed out a vehicle bridge that was the former park entrance. The new entrance to the park is on the north side of the river along Leudinghaus Road. 
To view Rainbow Falls head south from the rangers station about 200 yards and look down past the old bridge foundation. The "Falls" is more like rapid than an actual waterfall. Depending on river height you may or may not see it. The Chehalis River makes an easterly turn through Rainbow Falls before heading northwest and ending in Aberdeen, WA.
The drop or rapid is around 10 feet over a layer of basalt rock left over from volcanic activity in the area thousands of years ago.




Events

Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free. The Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park on ten designated free days in 2013.

The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:

Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend

Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visitwww.discoverpass.wa.gov.

Full list of events at Washington State Parks

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No. 157 La Conner

La Conner, WA
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http://www.lovelaconner.com/


The quaint town of La Conner, established in 1867, is located on the western side of Skagit County along the shoreline of the Swinomish Channel. La Conner features many small business including restaurants, art galleries, antique shops and museums along 1st street. In mid spring La Conner host the majority of annual events around the Tulip Festival, where many thousands of road warriors head to the Skagit Valley to view hundreds of acres of blooming tulip fields.
The narrow streets and lack of parking make it more difficult to visit when any festival is going on. Aside from the major events La Conner is a popular destination for its selection of arts & crafts and seafood.
Looking south of town you can see a red deck arched bridge spanning the Swinomish Channel.
La Conner's red-arched  "Rainbow Bridge" built in 1957 connects La Conner to Fidalgo Island. Crossing over the Rainbow Bridge along Pioneer Parkway will take you north to Anacortes, WA

Looking south down Swinomish Channel and Rainbow Bridge

1st Street, La Conner

1st Street, La Conner

His & Hers Gifts

Young Bald Eagle just outside of La Conner

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No 154 Spencer Island

Spencer Island

4th St SE
Everett, WA 98205

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Spencer Island lies in the heart of the Snohomish River Estuary, an ecosystem formed by mixing a freshwater system (the Snohomish River) and a saltwater system (Port Gardner Bay).
It is one of the best places in the Snohomish River Estuary to view waterfowl and shorebirds such as ducks, heron, hawks and bald eagles. If you watch your steps you might see some small and larger mamals such as river otters and deer.
On clear days the snow capped tops of the cascade mountain range and Mount Baker are visible to the east and to the north. 
The island is co-owned by Snohomish County and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Snohomish County owns the south half of the island, while WDFW owns the north half.

Spencer Island Foot Bridge

Flock of Ducks and Mount Baker in the Background

Flood Plane of Spencer Island

Cascade Mountain Range looking east

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No. 148 Cedar Grist Mill

Cedar Creek Grist Mill,
43907 NE Grist Mill Rd
Woodland, WA 98674, USA
website: http://www.cedarcreekgristmill.com/

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Built in 1876 along east bank of a Cedar Creek on a rocky slope this grist mill uses the power of the falling water to provide the energy needed to mill grains or press apples. It is one of 54 working grist mills in the United States.

Shot from the covered bridge

west side of Cedar Creek

Covered Bridge built in 1994

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kelby rectangle waterfall photos

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No. 135 A Walk along the Lowell River front Trail in Everett Washington

Location
3505 Lowell-Snohomish River Rd.
Everett, WA

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 Park hours6 a.m.-10 p.m. April 1-Oct. 31
6 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 1-March 31

Rotary Park, on the banks of the Snohomish River in the Lowell Neighborhood, has a boat launch, walking trails and picnic areas. The Lowell Riverfront Trail, a 1.75mile 10 foot wide asphalt walkway, starts up in the east side of Rotary Park and continues north.  The trail includes views of Mt. Baker, Rainier and the Cascades, as well as numerous wildlife habitats such as shore birds, heron, eagles and hawks.
Depending on the season and the weather the park the park can get busy or be very calm. 

Green Roof Barn

Green Barn

Ready To Launch

X-Marks the Spot

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No. 79 Palouse Falls

Palouse Falls State Park

State Highway 261

 Prescott, WA

Web: Palouse Falls State Park

The Palouse Falls is tucked away in the Eastern part of Washington State. After a very windy drive, including a few miles on dirt roads, you can find this amazing location. The falls consists of an upper falls with a drop of ~20 feet (6.1 m) which lies 1,000 feet (300 m) north northwest of the main drop, and a lower falls, with a drop of ~180 feet (55 m).

There are several trails to walk around the falls and even down to the bottom if you are so inclined.

The park, camp ground and falls are really basically located out in the middle of nowhere. You drive on a gravely road and then get to park right above this amazing natural wonder. The height of the waterfall is about 180 feet and the height of the cliff I am standing on is about 377' above the pool of water. The foamy white look in the middle of the pool is formed from the minerals that are present in the water, almost like a soapy residue. This was really apparent on the back side of the falls where you look at the river and can see the residue lining the coulee walls.

Local Waterfall Spectators along the ridge

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