My wife, daughter and I tried to the Billy Frank Refuge today but struck out. We arrived about 11:00 and upon entering the parking lot found it was COMPLETELY FULL. Tons of other cars hovering around trying to luck out and time it right for a car pulling out but we eventually gave up and left.
We heading south on I-5 to Lacey and found the Chehalis Western trail. Parked and hiked about 3 miles but it was paved and went past a bunch of trailer homes and such. Not very scenic in this stretch and certainly not what we were looking for - though it's probably a great biking path and there were a lot of ducks to visit on Chambers Lake near our parking spot.
We returned about 1:30 to try Billy Frank Refuge again but there seemed to be even MORE cars and people there. Left again!
I would suggest going on a standard work day when school kids are in session, perhaps when it is raining, or maybe get there before 10. That's our new plan!
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