In my town there are several small pockets of forest. They exist mostly in the area’s canyons and gullies. The steep sides of these places were inhospitable to development, therefore avoided becoming streets and housing tracts. Now these forest “parks” provide an oasis for urban hiking and a home for local wildlife.
Deer Creek is just a short drive away, and is the perfect spot to walk our dogs. The park is not too big and not too small. The shade provided by the second growth forest canopy is particularly pleasant on a hot sunny day.
The trees in Deer Creek are a mix of evergreen and deciduous varieties. The evergreens primarily include Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar. The “forest” floor is covered in sword fern with a few nettles mixed in.
Though the park isn’t huge, there are three different loops within its boundaries. Two of the loops follow a relatively flat path. Another travels uphill to Krebs Meadow. The meadow sits along side a small privately owned orchard. It also has a playground and one or two picnic tables. We wander uphill occasionally, but mostly stick to the lower trails.
❤️ dfinney
