Accessible Adventures: Between The Peaks

John Williams here with another Accessible Adventure in the Pacific Northwest. This is Carson Washington, one of the gateways to The Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This time, we're traveling the Wind River Hwy, to give you a glimpse of why Mr. Pinchot wanted preserve this magnificent Forest! So who was this pioneer, environmentalist, and visionary known as Gifford Pinchot? As a politician, he was the governor of Pennsylvania. A good friend and contemporary of President Theodore Roosevelt. Appointed as the first Chief of the United States Forest Service, in 1905, best known for conservation of the nation's forest. 9 miles from Carson, just off the Wind River Hwy, is The Hemlock Picnic Area. Here you can enjoy an accessible hike along the creek. Accessible picnic area and accessible restrooms. The Forest Service, has worked to restore steelhead habitate in Trout Creek, including the removal of the old Hemlock Dam in 2009. A short drive up road 43, is Whistle Punk. Remember, some areas require a fee. An accessible hiking trail is one of the highlights here at Whistle Punk Trail. Remnants of logging operations from decades ago are still visible. An accessible viewing deck overlooking wetlands and keep your eyes open for wildlife. The Forest Service works together with other Federal, State and private organizations connecting communities with the abundant natural resources of the Gifford Pinchot. A must see along the Wind River Hwy, is the Carson Fish Hatchery. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937. Managed today by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The Carson Hatchery releases over a million Chinook Salmon into the Wind River annually. Day Use areas and accessible campgrounds are plentiful along the Wind River Loop. And the Forest Service is continually improving and building new accessible sites all the time. Be sure to check the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website often. This is Iron Mike at Mineral Springs. Folks used to say this water could cure everything from gall stones to gout. See what you think when you visit here. Coming up next, we'll show you a great place to take photographs of Mt. St. Helens, along the Wind River Highway. Take a left turn off the Wind River Hwy, onto Curly Creek Road. Here you'll find McClellan Viewpoint. This picture is definitely worth a thousand words! We've saved my favorite part of this video until the end. Take a right turn off the Curly Creek Road and follow road 90 up the Lewis River. First it's Curly Creek...now due to water levels, the falls are not always visible, best time to view the falls is spring and early summer. There's an accessible trail to the falls and viewing area, I moved right along in my manual chair, shouldn't be a problem in a power chair, or for our vision impaired friends. And finally on Rd 90, it's the Lewis River "Lower Falls!" An accessible trail takes you right to the river's edge, and the falls! I'm John Williams, encouraging you to come on out and enjoy the Gifford Pinchot National Forest! And I'll see you soon for another Accessible Adventure in the Pacific Northwest