Rockport #43

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I have been wanting to take my family to Rockport State Park from the time I went there on a field trip a couple of years ago. It feels like a hidden gem in the PNW with 4 miles of hiking of trails.
Rockport is a day time use only park, no camping is allowed due to the risk of tree falls. Rockport is a very beautiful state park, with guided hiking tours if you so desire, a very nice bathroom, and is very quite, and peaceful, making it feel like a best kept secrete.
                                       There is a covered picnic area not too far down the path in the above picture.
The trail that we took was to the right of the bathrooms and information sign. The trail immediately starts you walking in the trees covered in moss.
                          It was so pretty. It was raining slightly when we started, but not enough to stop us.
The trees and moss were amazing and so fun to walk through. I kept stopping to take pictures, but some of my pictures didn't turn out because my camera couldn't focus.
       See what I mean?

             The trail that we took goes between the log that is cut in half, and led us into more of the moss covered trees.
                The trail then opens up and you come to a "Y" junction. We chose to continue to the right,
  leading us to pass by this tree stump that was huge. It was interesting to look and see how it splintered/cracked and fell.
                         As you can see there was no one on the trail. It was so so peaceful and relaxing.
 We then came upon this giant root ball. There were numerous root balls, but this one you could get close to without going off of the trail. I personally find tree root balls fascinating. Whole ecosystems in themselves.
                      Shortly after we came upon a bridge, which H found moved when he jumped on it.
            And mud! So much mud, as in you get wet feet kind of mud. But it was a ton of fun to play in.
                                                   "Mommy no more mud."
                More mud! Don't let the mud stop you from doing this hike
     because it is so easy, with some of the tallest old growth that has never been logged; trees are 400-600 years old, and 25 stories high. The trail opens up again and has a slight incline leading you back into the dense woods.

       Make sure you pay attention and take your time because you don't want to miss the broken fir.
 After seeing the fir we decided to go left when we came to a trail sign and take the "road" due to a time crunch but still gave us time to go to the visitor center. In all we hiked 1.5 miles, proceeded to drop our stuff at the car, then headed over to the visitors center to get warm, play games and have cookies.
We had a really fun time in the visitor center talking to the Rangers, the kids were given their junior ranger workbooks and junior ranger badges. We said our goodbyes and headed home.
Until next time!

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