In order to feel less guilty about all the junk we’d consume at our Super Bowl extravaganza last weekend, I decided to take the kids on a good calorie burning, heart pumping hike.  I don’t really need an excuse to go on a hike, but this was a great way to get the kids out of the house while Slaed (born and raised in Colorado & devoted Denver Broncos fan) prepared, stressed and prayed, for the big game ahead.

As you might have read from our Winter Bucket List post, I’m hoping that the three of us (Georgia, the 1-year old on my back in the carrier) can conquer Little Si this season.  The mileage, at 4.7 miles round trip, isn’t something that I’m extremely concerned about, but more the mountain climb and elevation gain (1300 feet).  So in preparation, we are training with hikes that are a bit easier, but have relatively similar distance and hill climbing.

Olallie State Park’s Cedar Butte trail definitely fit the bill as another good hike to get ready for the more difficult Little Si.  It’s also less popular than it’s neighbor, Rattlesnake Ledge, which was bustling with folks and crammed with cars in the parking lot as we drove by.

To give you an idea of our hiking experience, I once again documented the journey with a video!

Olallie State Park’s Cedar Butte Trail

About Olallie State Park’s Cedar Butte Trail

• Our Route: While this hike is pretty straight forward, you might second guess yourself or get confused (at least I did!) because of the multiple trail names & park names.  When parking (Discover Pass required), the park is called Iron Horse State Park, and there are also signs about the Cedar River Watershed and John Wayne Pioneer Trail.  Basically we took the John Wayne Pioneer Trail (railroad grade & wide) about 3/4 of a mile, and after crossing Boxley Creek the Cedar Butte Trail begins to the right. We climbed up to the top, and made our way back down the same way.
• Length: 3.5 miles
• Elevation: Highest Point-1880 feet, Gain-900 ft
• Location: We accessed the hike from the Iron Horse State Park/John Wayne Pioneer Trail (exit 32 off of I-90, south on 436th Street, which turns into Cedar Falls Road SE) near North Bend, Washington.  For more information, visit the WTA website.
• Fee: $10 day use fee, or “free” with the Discover Pass (Washington State Park Pass).

Did you watch the Super Bowl this year? Get outside instead? Both?

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