First time to come and my timing was not the best. To start the southern entrance for the drive in and access to those trails in closed due to bridge and road work. So call ahead or check web for details.
The northern access near Carty Lake is open but most of the trails are closed until next spring. Signs and gates close off the Kiwi and Carty trails. The plankhouse and oak trails are currently open. Be aware there is a detour around road closures to get to this point too.
All in all you may want to put this one off until next spring when access is a bit better. Oh and there is a day use fee for the Wildlife Refuge. $3 per car/family or your America the Beautiful pass will work. Just fill out the parking permit and put it on your car dash.
Since I suffered through all the road stuff I decided to do the 1 to 1.5 mile loop through the oaks. The trail starts by taking you over a very nice pedestrian bridge so no one has to walk over the railroad tracks. Just on the other side the Large Cedar Plank House is there to greet you. I spent some time reading the informational sign and walked around it. Only open weekends through October so I settled for the outside.
Continued on towards the oaks. This portion is only recently re-opened. A rehabilitation project to revive the native white oak trees required logging out the large douglas fir trees that were taking over the forest. So for the next few years parts of this loop will have the feeling of a clear cut.
There is a 400+ year old oak tree along the route with massive branches that was a highlight. Lots of birds fluttering around and singing. A number of benches and small turnouts to look over parts of the refuge. Trail was very easy to navigate. Minor ups and down but relatively flat. The far north portion has some poison oak just off the trail so just be aware.
I will be back in the future to see the other trails that were closed for the season and construction. Plus close to downtown Ridgefield to enjoy when you are done.
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