I have many hours of sweat equity in this trail -- from start to finish -- on WTA work parties so it seemed an appropriate hike to kick off Hike-a-thon 2021.

We arrived at the park shortly after 11 am. No one was collecting fees at the booth so we had to wait behind two cars ahead of us purchasing parking passes from the ticket machine ($3 per car.) I have an annual pass to Clark County Parks, so I was able to breeze through. 

We parked at the north end of the parking lot, which was fairly empty on a Monday morning, to take the service road north to the trail. Dogs are not allowed in the developed part of the park (irrigated grass, picnic tables, etc.) between April-October so we needed to stay as far away as we could from that area.

The restrooms (flush toilets and sinks) at the north end of the parking lot that service the group picnic areas were locked, but the main restroom building farther south toward the middle of the parking lot were open.

We walked north on the service road (wide trail up on a dike above the group picnic areas to the west) for about 1/2 mile to the point where the road makes a 90 degree turn to the left (west). A bench beside the service road/trail indicates the start of the Vancouver Lake North Trail. A sign to the left of the trail entrance, beginning to become overgrown with vegetation, announces the trail.

The compacted gravel trail meanders for one mile through the cottonwood forest. It was peaceful with cool shade, the sound of bird calls, and less than a handful of other people on the trail. We walked to the end, paused for water and treats, and then turned back.

It was during the walk back that I saw something I had never before noticed, despite all the hours I have spent working on that trail: an ancient Oregon white oak tree among all the cottonwoods! It had a huge crown and appeared to have started life in the open several centuries ago before the hydrology changed to make the area hospitable to cottonwoods. Oregon white oaks are extremely slow growing and can live to be 500 years old. Some of the cottonwoods look to be ancient members of their species, too: cottonwoods mature at 60 years and can live for 200 years.

The trail was in good condition, except for a couple of narrow places where windfall wood was stacked and where vegetation is beginning to encroach. It appeared that the trail corridor had been power-brushed this past spring but the vegetation is growing back.

The trail itself is one mile long -- or two miles round trip. We added on 1/2 mile each way from where we parked for a total hike of 3 miles.

My mom and I headed here for a post-work walk in the lovely spring weather. She recently moved to the Vancouver area but had never been to/heard of Vancouver Lake, and it was fun to take her somewhere new that is so easily accessible from town.

The parking lot was nearly empty when we showed up around 5:30, and the trail itself was even more empty. We passed maybe 6 people and a few on-leash dogs? Most folks were hanging around the picnic area.

The trail is beautifully built and in great condition. Lots of birds were out and about and we also spotted one stray cat.

High quality trail at Lake Vancouver, trail is in great condition. Couldn't quite get down to the lake at the north end of the trail due to high water. Really enjoyed the views from the bridge.

Nice day for birding. However there were two groups on battery powered unicycles going way to fast. Several bicyclists were no problem. Nice to see young parents with children, I worried a bit for there safety due to the unicycles.

Decided to check out this flat, shaded trail on a hot summer evening. It was kind of an eerie experience: the Lake Vancouver Regional Park is a HUGE facility, and it was almost completely deserted. I paid the $3 entry fee to a very bored attendant at about 6:30pm, and had my choice out of all but 3 or 4 occupied spots in the enormous parking lot. 

Walking through the park towards the trail, the eeriness increased as I passed an empty beach/swimming area, abandoned volleyball nets, deserted playground equipment, vacant picnic tables... Had this been late at night or during inclement weather, I wouldn't have been at all surprised-- but this was on a gorgeous August evening, with temps in the mid-eighties! Well, whatever-- more peace & quiet for me :-)

From the parking lot, I followed the wide gravel road until it entered the trees and became a well-made dirt path through the forest. Lots of beautiful trees, singing birds, little critters, and, of course, bugs. The bugs didn't bother me much as long as I kept moving, but they sure reminded me to get a move on whenever I stopped for more than a minute!

This trail does just abruptly end when it intersects with a dirt road. I followed the road towards the lake, but it became way too swampy before it reached the shore. I walked down the other way to check out the bridge, and then went back the way I had come.

This was a nice, quiet evening walk-- good choice for a hot summer day.