![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The Northern Pacific Railroad, to the south, also had a need for rail workers. As the tracks were laid westward, workers moved into the area. In 1907, the Milwaukee Road pushed through the Cascades to a point just east of the town. In 1885, trains began to haul coal over a narrow gauge track from the nearby mining town of Black Diamond. The communities of Hobart and Taylor sprang up nearby, but the railroad helped solidify Maple Valley as the centerpiece. In 1887, Russell laid out the town, now called Maple Valley, but it wasn't platted until 1890. Over time, the mill burned down twice, and though it was rebuilt, Ames eventually gave up and moved to Pacific City, near Auburn. Around 1882, Ames and Russell built a sawmill to process the lumber needed to build homes. In the early 1880s, settlers' cabins sparsely dotted land surrounding the creeks that fed the Cedar River. Later, Arthur Russell was born, providing the name Arthur to the precinct and the first post office, located originally in the Russell home. They also decided to name the voting precinct after the first child born in the new community. Vine Maple Valley received two out of the three votes, so they made it unanimous. They placed their choices on slips of paper, and placed them in a hat. Ames proposed Vine Maple Valley, but Russell thought Maple Ridge to be a better name. One of them suggested that they name the future community. The three were improving a trail before they brought their families in. The first settlers in what is now Maple Valley were George Ames, Henry Sidebotham, and C.O. Originally a hodgepodge of homesteader cabins, its growth can be attributed to the lumber industry, coal mining, railroads, watersheds, and highway development. I am only sharing a couple of options.Maple Valley, a King County community nestled 10 miles southeast of Renton within the sheer-cliffed Cedar River valley, grew from its outskirts inward toward its center. There are multiple ways to get to the Gnomes Trail. So don’t panic if you do take a wrong path as it will link up with another one. The Henry’s Ridge Open Space trails are designed in loops.You can also use any favorite maps apps you might have, such as AllTrails or BackCountry Navigator, if you want to track your hike. Download an offline map through Google maps of the area, and Google can give you walking directions for the trail.Bring bug spray! The mosquitos were quite bad on the trails, and I sadly forgot to apply bug spray before leaving.This trail system is within a neighborhood, and we must be respectful of the community and the trails. Dogs are allowed, but make sure to pack your poo out as there are no garbages along the trail.The trail is too narrow in most spots to accommodate a stroller, so plan accordingly.So wear the appropriate shoes, and if you have any mobility issues, you may want to bring a hiking stick. The Gnomes trail is an easy hike with minimal elevation gain, but it is narrow in spots with rocks and roots and overgrown bushes along the way.If you have small kids or a large group, plan for it to take 1.5 to 2 hours for the roundtrip hike. The hike is a little over 2 miles roundtrip, and it took me a little over an hour to hike it.So make sure to take a pitstop before you come. There are no restrooms at either the parking areas/trailheads or anywhere along the trail.You’ll continue down the Lorax trail and soon pass the fork for the Derailer loop, just stay to the left. In about 250 feet you’ll make another slight right onto the Lorax trail (I don’t recall seeing a sign). Make a right here to continue on the OUAT trail (Bad Wolf is to the left). If you go left at the fork where you see the Derailer trail sign, you will continue a short way down the trail before reaching another fork in the path.(Skip to the asterisk (*) past the directions for making a left to continue.) ( The instructions from that point on are the same whether you make a right or left at the Derailer fork.) If you go right on the Derailer trail, you will follow the path as it loops around and links up with the Lorax trail.The Derailer Trail and Two ChoicesĮventually, you’ll come to a fork in the path, and if you look right, you’ll see a diamond-shaped sign and a sign above it that reads “Derailer.” You can go right or left here. I liked this tree growing over the old stump. ![]()
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