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Trail of the Month Program
800-334-6946

Hikers' Comments on 1,000 Steps Trail
Washington State Park

	Month Hiked	Comments from participants of the 2007 Trail of the Month Program
	October 2007	It's an amazing trail, especially when you think about the individual CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) people who built it. Warning: if you have bad knees or heart problems, don’t do this trail. If you have kids, tell them first one to the top gets a prize.
	September 2007	Cool trail. Walking stick was helpful. Overlook of the river and cow pasture is pretty. Clue wasn't directly on the trail where the arrows were.
	September 2007	Well marked trail! The steps up the hill were fun, but strenuous. A beautiful trail all in all. A lot of fallen trees. Be sure to stop and take in the view from the overlook! (hint, hint)
	September 2007	HOLY COW!! This was by far the most challenging of the trails we have been on yet! 490 steps straight up....490 straight down (or so it seemed) The view from the lookout was breathtaking, or maybe that was the climb up to it! The clue can be easily missed on this trail. Be sure to check out the view on your way up!
	August 2007	The views are breathtaking.
	August 2007	This trail was a challenge, but if you're in reasonably good shape, you should be fine. You have to go into the shelter to find the marker. It's easy to miss.
	August 2007	There are stone steps both up and down the trail that were put in by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and a CCC built stone overlook of the park and river.
	July 2007	Be prepared for a steep climb along a trail lined with large blocks of sedimentary rocks. Make sure you bring water with you. Clue is not easily visible. Lots of beautiful butterflies and exquisite spider webs.
	July 2007	Very nice trail and well marked. Loved the overlook! After we walked this trail, we had a picnic before moving on to two more trails that day.
	July 2007	This trail was very unique. The stone steps were carefully laid, but I am not sure if there were 1,000. They led to a small stone building and overlook. The route is straightforward until then. Once you get to the stone building, pay attention to the markings on the trees. Don't go past the geodesic marker -- that is the wrong way.
	July 2007	This trail can be strenuous for some people. The steps are really neat to see and hike but would try and recommend another one if people have trouble with their legs or breathing.
	July 2007	Difficult at times; but also very scenic. We very much enjoyed the trail. Take care if hiking with high humidity or other moister in the air. The stone steps can become a might slippery.
	July 2007	It was very scenic and beautiful. The scenery was also very diverse, which was nice. The trail was not marked very well but it was well worth it!
	June 2007	Some places very steep for my 76 years.
	June 2007	Don't bother counting the steps. Take a moment to ponder what it took to place those steps and be sure to enjoy the magnificent view from atop.
	June 2007	There are definitely 1,000 steps on this trail. Very nice lookouts. I would make sure to go to the lookouts so you don't miss the clue.
	June 2007	It was a tough trail to hike but I think it was worth it. The overlook was nice and there were a lot of pretty flowers.
	June 2007	It is kind of a hard hike for a little kid. Prepare for meltdowns.
	June 2007	This trail has long portions that are VERY STEEP. There are stretches of unstable/slippery footing. The trail is only marked (yellow) if you travel it in a counter clockwise direction. Going clockwise it is very easy to lose the trail and wander on segments of trail that suddenly vanish. Be sure to stop at the lower overlook, then backtrack to the main trail. And, if you have a walking stick, bring it along! You won't regret it. Of the eight trails I have hiked so far, this one has been by far the hardest to complete.
	June 2007	Great hike! This trail can be strenuous at times, so that may deter casual hikers. The views on the top of the hill were great, as were the long stretches of deep woods that the trail winds through. Worth the effort.
	June 2007	Wow, this trail was amazing. The stone steps provided a challenge, but the beautiful views were well worth it. Of the trails that I've already completed, this is definitely one of my favorites!
	June 2007	The trail was very strenuous, lots of stone steps up steep hills but worth it for the scenery. Great overlook spot halfway through the trail.
	May 2007	The clue is easy to miss. When you hit the little overlook with the building, look around you. It will be on your left as you head out of the building.
	May 2007	The steps carved into the hillside were quite a cardio workout! The stone shelter overlook was neat and a good place to rest.
	May 2007	This trail is very rigorous. Initially, there is a steep incline that is very challenging. The trail becomes confusing after reaching the lookout point. I wasn’t sure where to pick up the trail at several locations along the way.
	May 2007	This is a very rigorous trail and I would not recommend it for children or adults that are not used to exercise. We did not find the clue and when we asked about it we were told a prior visitor had taken it down and they were in the process of putting it back up. (We got our clue from a very friendly park staff.) How sad that some people ruin it for others. If you take the trail, the overlook is worth the climb!
	May 2007	Bring a hiking stick to help navigate the many slippery rocks.
	May 2007	Keep your eyes open for the five-lined skinks. We saw 15+ of them basking in the early morning sun. The view from the overlook is awesome. We saw an indigo bunting in the treetops; he was proudly singing his springtime tune.
	May 2007	Exhausting hill climb. Nice view from overlook. Will be impassable by this time in June if the weeds/grass are not cut back a little.
	May 2007	Beautiful view from the overlook. Interesting to see the CCC work from so long ago and how it is holding up. Be careful as it can be a little slippery on the steps that have worn over the years.