Federation Forest State Park is a day-use natural area with 619 acres of old-growth evergreens. Located along the White River, the park provides visitors with more than 12 miles of hiking trails, three interpretive trails, an interpretive center with a gift shop and four picnic areas.
History
Federation Forest State Park lies along part of the historic Naches Trail, an ancient Native American route through the Cascade Mountains, connecting the various Salish people on the west side to the Yakima people on the east side of the mountains. A similar route dubbed the "People's Road" was later used as an alternative to the traditional Oregon Trail by emigrant wagon trains traveling between Walla Walla and Steilacoom in the 1840s and 1850s. The route was extremely difficult, requiring many river crossings and precipitous descents, and thus never became very popular before being supplanted by a newer route through Snoqualmie Pass.
In the early decades of the 20th century, the Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs - the park's namesake "Federation" - was seeking to acquire a tract of land to preserve some old-growth forest in Washington for posterity in a campaign spearheaded by Jeanne Caithness Greenlees of Everett. Using funds raised from private donors and The National Geographic Society, the Federation first acquired land for that purpose near Snoqualmie Pass in 1928 and the first Federation Forest was dedicated in 1934.
Around 1939, that park suffered great damage when high winds blew down many of the old-growth trees that had been left unprotected by adjacent logging operations. Because it was next to the highway, the Federation's first park was declared a nuisance and condemned by the state. Keeping true to their goals, in 1941 the Federation used money from the sale of the timber in the first park to acquire a new tract of 251 not-yet-logged acres east of Enumclaw from the White River Lumber Company.
The Federation Forest that we know today was finally dedicated as a State Park in 1949. The dedication was presided over by Esther S. Maltby, the former president of the Federation who had launched the conservation campaign in 1926. The Federation continued to be involved in the development of the park over the next several decades, donating additional money on multiple occasions for the acquisition of additional acreage and the expansion of park services.
Features
Enjoy the beauty and diversity of 600 acres of old-growth Douglas firs, with mature western hemlock, Sitka spruce and western red cedar trees. Hike through five distinct ecosystems within a radius of just one mile. Short interpretive loops make this ideal for small children. There are also two picnic shelters without electricity and five sheltered picnic tables. The upper picnic area has drinking fountains, a covered shelter, braziers and restrooms with running water. Both are first come, first served.
The Catherine Montgomery Interpretive Center was built with funds provided by Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs. Inside, visitors will learn about the contrasts in nature that typify the state of Washington from the dry eastern deserts to the lush western peninsula. Gardens in front of the center highlight edible and poisonous native plants and plants from six of the nine biosystems of this state.
Rules/Hours
Federation Forest State Park is for day-use only and has no overnight camping or parking. The park is open during the summer from 8 a.m. until dusk. The park is closed during the winter from October 1 to April 1. Snow conditions may influence reopening date.
The Geocache
The cache is hidden along a well-maintained, mostly flat trail through some of the biggest old-growth trees in the park. Walking on the established trails, it is approximately 0.6 miles from the interpretive center or 0.2 miles from the alternate parking along Highway 410. See the included waypoints for parking/trailheads. The hint is pretty much a spoiler if you want that. Please remember that the cache is only a couple steps off the trail!
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- This geocache has an approved Permit to be placed at this location on property managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Visitors are responsible for acquainting themselves with policies and rules pertaining to State Parks areas.
- The following items may not be placed in the geocache: food, illegal substances, medications, personal hygiene products, pornographic materials, hazardous materials, or weapons of any type.
- By searching for the cache, visitors agree that they are responsible for their own actions, and acknowledge that neither the State of Washington nor the cache owner is responsible for any loss or injury that may occur in relation to such search.
- Report any incident, problem, or violation to State Parks staff.
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