Vancouver, WA

Years ago, when my son was little, I took him for a walk along the edge of Lacamas Lake, what a difference a few years has made! The walk is now over three miles long and there are quarter mile markers to let you know how many miles you have walked, jogged or biked. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

I had seen the park while driving by one day and decided it would be a good place to take Layla. I took a folding beach lounger and lunch, found a small three person covered table near the parking lot and the playground and set myself up for the rest of the day. It was very relaxing to sit in the shade, do a little reading and watch Layla play with another little girl. While it had been a really hot day, there was a little breeze blowing off the lake making it really comfortable.

I also watched several cars drive up with their boats and offload them at the small ramp located in the park. Other people disappeared around the corner as they headed out on the trail along this side of the lake. We had been at the park for over three hours before we headed out on the trail ourselves.

Though the trail is wide, it is a dirt/gravel trail and not really suitable for regular strollers or wheelchairs, though we did see a few jogging strollers. There were also bikers suddenly rounding a curve leaving you wondering which way to jump. I suppose there is a proper way to have bikers and hikers on the same trails, but I have not figured it out yet; especially when you have a small child with you and sudden curiosities turning up on the trail.

There were old growth cedars, unusual tree formations, a tiny waterfall, a woodpecker tree, boaters, and other water vehicles and lots of other people enjoying the trail. We went to the one-mile marker before turning back, then stopped at the playground for another half hour. It was a nice way to spend a hot day.

I usually take 192^nd (exit 10 from Highway 14) to NW Lake Road (which changes from SE 1^st Street at 192^nd Avenue) and follow it until I see the playground off to the left. There is plenty of parking, both for cars and vehicles with boat trailers, a restroom, several picnic benches and the playground. There is also extra parking just before a small trailer court for those only interested in walking or biking the trail. Further information is available from the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Website: http://www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/parks-recreation/parks_trails/trails/lacamas_trail.htm