Twin Barns Loop─Explore the last undeveloped major river delta in south Puget Sound
Quick Facts
Location: South Puget Sound
Land Agency: National Fish and Wildlife
Roundtrip: 1.0 mile
Elevation Gain: level
Contact: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (360) 753-9467; www.fws.gov/Nisqually
Access: From Olympia or Tacoma follow I-5 to Exit 114. Follow signs for wildlife refuge and proceed to trailhead parking at Environmental Education Center.
Notes: Dogs prohibited; $3.00 per vehicle entry fee.
Wedged between the ever expanding urban sprawl of Olympia and Tacoma, is the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge protecting one of the last remaining relatively undeveloped river delta and estuary in southern Puget Sound. An important stop for migratory birds, plenty of avian species hang around the 3,000-acre refuge during the winter as well. The National Wildlife Service is currently restoring habitat in the refuge drastically altering its trail system. Gone now is the popular Brown Farm Dike Trail, but a brand new trail to McAllister Creek is being developed to replace it. The first half mile of the new trail opened this past November.
The Twin Barns Loop remains in place and makes for a wonderful introductory hike for young children or a good leg stretcher if you need a break from the clogged traffic on I-5. From the Interpretive Center, head right on the Twin Barns Loop, a one mile wheelchair accessible boardwalk trail. In 0.1 mile, come to a junction with the Riparian Forest Overlook Spur Trail which leads 400 feet to a slough along the Nisqually River.
Continue on the main loop through groves of giant cottonwoods and maples coming to another junction at .3 mile. The trail right used to follow along a dike making a popular 5.0 mile loop. It is no longer in existence. A new 1.5 mile trail along a new dike and boardwalks is currently being constructed. Explore the first half mile of this trail if you’d like and then return to this spot to continue the loop coming to the Twin Barns in .2 mile. The barns were part of a large dairy operation before the refuge was established in 1974. After snooping around the barns, follow the loop back to the visitor’s center skirting along wetlands chirping with birds and frogs.
The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is one of the destinations featured in my new Winter Hikes of Western Washington Card Deck.
