Information about this hike provided in partnership with Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books

Cispus Braille Trail

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Featured In: Day Hiking: South Cascades, by Dan A. Nelson and Alan L. Bauer.
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Barrier-free trails are generally designed for folks with mobility concerns-people in wheelchairs or with walking limitations. This unique forest path serves those forest visitors admirably, but it does far more than that. It also opens a wonderful Northwest forest up to the visually impaired. Even hikers who are completely blind can enjoy this remarkable trail.

It's hard to believe this area was leveled twice by forest fires, but it's true. But those fires are in the past, and the forest has recovered beautifully. This barrier-free interpretive trail explores the new forest and explains the changes wrought by the fires, as well as the processes of recovery.

Trail guide pamphlets are available at the Cispus Environmental Center, and the interpretive signs along the route are printed in bold, easy-to-read lettering and in braille. A guide rope is strung along the right side of the trail; it helps the visually impaired move from station to station. The compacted-dirt trail is smooth and free of those toe-grabbing roots so often found on forest trails.

Driving Directions:

From Randle, drive 1 mile south on Forest Road 25 and then turn left (east) onto FR 23 (Cispus Road). Continue on FR 23 to its junction with FR 28. Bear right on FR 28, cross the Cispus River, turn right onto FR 76, and continue to the Cispus Environmental Center. Parking is on the left near the Elderberry Lodge.

Recent Trip Reports

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There are 2 trip reports for this hike.

Cispus Braille Trail — Aug 19, 2011 — Weluv2hike.

Day hike

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This trail is set up for the blind, it is neat it has ropes that they hold and follow. Think...

This trail is set up for the blind, it is neat it has ropes that they hold and follow. Think the idea is great. A nice walk in the woods.

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Covel Creek #228,Angel Falls Loop #228.2 — May 28, 2007 — Lewis County Novice Hikers with Kids

Day hike

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A great hike for shade and well-maintained trails with views of waterfalls and rock-faces. We learned about it here while we...

A great hike for shade and well-maintained trails with views of waterfalls and rock-faces.

We learned about it here while we were hunting for ideal hikes for starting out with a family:

http://www.nwsource.com/travel/scr/tf_story.cfm?st=694750

We were permitted to park in the Cispus Learning Center maintained by the WA Principal’s Association. Directions and parking maps are available at this website.

http://www.awsp.org/Content/awsp/LearningCenters/Cispus/default.htm

Since the facility is open year-round for school and other groups, we were able to get a trail map, but one could also use Green Trails #333.

The hike is essentially two loops connected like a figure ""8"" so the total hike of 4.5 has very little repeated terrain, yet is never more than two and a half miles from the trailhead. The Cispus Center keeps it very well maintained.

The hike is easy, but does feature some ascent with switchbacks. A quarter of a mile of the hike is at the base of an overhanging rock formation.

The highlight of the trip is the Angel Falls 175 foot fall (pictured). Other falls and footbridges make the whole trip interesting—the trail even goes behind one of the waterfalls.

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Location

Cispus Braille (#228)

South Cascades -- Dark Divide

Wentachee National Forest, Naches Ranger District

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