Gordy Jolma Family Natural Area

The Gordy Jolma Family Natural Area is a 118-acre land and waterway in Clark County, SW Washington. The property is dog-leg shaped and shows the remnants of an abandoned 18-hole golf course with tall trees lining the fairways. The trail begins across from the old clubhouse and follows alongside the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad tracks briefly before entering the old fairways.  

There is little elevation change, and the former cart paths are gravel or asphalt, which is easy to walk on. Tall Western redcedars, mature giant sequoias, douglas fir, and various hardwoods are throughout the property.  Included are seldom-seen trees such as larches (also known as tamarack) and red oaks.

The trail has 8 bridges spanning the Salmon Creek or tributaries, making it a scenic area for waterfowl, and the lightly mowed fields permit plenty of sunshine. A full loop walk is 2.6 miles, but various shortcuts allow the walker to truncate the trek.

The area is under a master planning effort which will focus on restoring fish habitat in Salmon Creek, removing fish passage barriers, and improving natural-resource based opportunities like walking, birdwatching, fishing, picnicking and cultural and environmental education.

The effort may also include a trailhead, but for now, a common access point for the natural area is at the intersection of Southeast 19th Avenue and Northeast 181st Street. The property can also be accessed from trailheads for the adjacent Salmon-Morgan Creeks Nature Area at Northeast 183rd Street and Northeast 161st Avenue.