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Willapa Art Trail and Cutthroat Climb

Parent Category: Pacific County
in Hiking
Created: 20 November 2015
Location: Pacific County, Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Roundtrip:

Willapa Art Trail - 0,5 mile roundtrip
Cutthroat Climb Trail – 0,75 mile loop
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate 
Season: Year round
Headquarters Office: Located near mile marker 24 on State Route 101
GPS Coordinates: N 46 24.875 W 123 56.089
Visitor’s Information:

Washington State Discover Pass Required for Parking

Pictures below will show you the beauty of an unusual Art Trail. Enjoy amazing views combined with incredible artworks!

Photo of the Willapa Art Trail and the Cutthroat Climb Trail, located at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Pacific County
General Information:

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, located at the Pacific County, accommodates one of the most unusual and amazing trails in Washington State. Splendid views of wetlands, peaceful jaunt through a magnificent forest, a freshwater stream, which is a place for salmon spawning, all these, in combination with fantastic outdoor sculptures, richly scattered along the trail, are the main appeals of the Willapa Art Trail.

The Willapa Art Trail was the first trail of such kind in the United States. The first part of its boardwalk was created in 2003 as a special celebration of restoration of the refuge’s small stream. That year first 7 sculptures were installed there, chosen from the works of Public Arts Program students from the University of Washington and some of their professors. The boardwalk was extended in 2004 to reach the salmon stream. Throughout many years more and more new outdoor sculptures were added to the trail, which replaced the usual interpretive signs (though there are some interpretive signs along the trail as well). These artworks are intended to show the visitors of the Willapa Art Trail all the wonders of diverse wildlife which they can find at the territory of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge.

Photo of the Willapa Art Trail and the Cutthroat Climb Trail, located at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Pacific County

The Willapa Art Trail starts at Refuge Headquarters, and from the very beginning it amuses the visitors with a beautiful artwork – a pedestrian gate, named “Phytoplankton Entry Gate”, which separates the trail from the parking area. From its name you can already easily understand what it depicts – phytoplankton, the foundation of the food chain.

Before entering the 0,25 mile boardwalk, you will see to your left an exquisite picnic table which is together with three benches was made of terrazzo and steel, depicting a dragonfly, a marine worm, a snail and a water bug. 

Photo of the Willapa Art Trail and the Cutthroat Climb Trail, located at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Pacific County

Entering a curving boardwalk, which also represents the stream, meandering through this area, you will have an easy amble in front of you, filled with a lot of memorable impressions. Besides the lovely views of the marshes you will have a chance to admire various sculptures, located along the trail, above it, and some are even embedded into the boardwalk. They are made of various materials and have different sizes, but they have one common purpose – to introduce the visitors to various wildlife creatures living in this area, especially those little ones, which are usually remain unnoticed.

The boardwalk also crosses the stream, which runs into the ocean, and is the place where the salmon and cutthroat trout come to spawn. Thus, come in Fall and you will witness this amazing natural phenomenon. And in spring you may see the migration of young fish to the bay.

Photo of the Willapa Art Trail and the Cutthroat Climb Trail, located at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Pacific County

At the end of the boardwalk the Willapa Art Trail is joined with the Cutthroat Climb Trail, which was created in 2005 and leads the visitors through a fascinating old growth forest, making a 0,75 mile loop and joining again the Willapa Art Trail.

The Cutthroat Climb Trail will impress you with some really huge skyward trees. Some of them have large trunks of bizarre forms, making a good spot for taking photos. But be careful while walking as the trail has some really steep sections with the stairs carved in them, a lot of exposed roots and muddy sections. 

Photo of the Willapa Art Trail and the Cutthroat Climb Trail, located at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Pacific County

Strolling along the trail you will pass a staircase over the fallen tree, an interesting maze, made out of bricks, you will cross a small bridge over the stream. And along all your way you will be accompanied by wonderful birds – artworks, created by Becca Weiss. 

The Cutthroat Climb Trail is an unbelievably beautiful place, providing the visitors with amazing artistic and natural features as well as with quietness and solitude.

 

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://beautifulwashington.com/pacific-county/hiking/459-willapa-art-trail.html?tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=#sigProId39dc48986a

These pictures were taken in August, 2015

GPS Coordinates: N 46 24.875 W 123 56.089

In order to get directions click on the map below:

 

Photo: Roman Khomlyak

Photo Editing: Juliana Voitsikhovska

Information: Svetlana Baranova