Butte Creek Picnic Area LbNA #5051 (ARCHIVED)

BUTTE CREEK PICNIC AREA


Placed by: Fudrick
Placed on: July 24, 2003
Nearest City: Raymond, Washington
County: Pacific
Clues: Easy
Terrain: Easy, forest paths
Stamp: Marginally Adequate

The Butte Creek Picnic Area is a Department of Natural Resources picnic grounds. The area is in the old growth forest, with several secluded picnic areas and some great trails. There is a viewpoint, where you can watch the old-growth forest in all its glory. There is a restroom, but probably no water. The only water available is from a hand pump, but the pump handle was missing when I was there L

Bring a picnic lunch (or get one in Raymond as you come thru) with plenty to drink and stop for a very quite, very relaxing repast.

From the informational sign at the entrance, this picnic area was the:

MONOHON HOMESITE
This park is part of the original Butte Creek homestead of Marion and Sarah Ann Monohon. Here in the last quarter f the 19th century they raised ten children, while helping to pioneer the Butte and Smith Creek areas.
Erected by the family April 18, 1900 for daughter Bessie, age 101.
Washington State Centennial 1989.

TO THE PICNIC AREA -
Start in Raymond at junction of SR 6 and US 101. Go North on US 101 for 2.3 mi. (Milepost 61.3, m/l). The Site is on right, just north of the Butte Creek Fish Hatchery. If you are heading South on US 101, you don’t have to go all the way into Raymond, unless you forgot your picnic lunch. You will see it hidden on the left, just before the Butte Creek Fish Hatchery, with the white fence in front. Fortunately there are brown signs both sides of the entrance announcing that it is ahead of you.

TO THE TRAILHEAD:
As you drive into the Picnic Area, you see the information sign. You have to go left (one way road), you will come to a wide spot by the roofed readerboard. Park somewhere around there, be sure to read all the vital information. You will note the Salmon Berry Trail, it leads to a secluded picnic table (one of many in the Area) for your enjoyment.

CLUES:
You will see a sign for the trail named after the Monohon family dog, “Unimproved”, it is your trail of choice. You will see an echo, stay right. When you have a choice, bear left. You will cross a bridge (No Diving From Bridge!!!). As you go up the hill you find a big tree in the middle, go to the left. You run into a trail, try left. Good thing you did, there is a nice bench to rest after this arduous trek. As you look down into the gully, you are looking over some exposed roots pointing downstream. Between them, under some bark, is Marion’s Back Yard.

After checking out the trails on this side of the gully, you may want to head back over the bridge. When you get to a choice, take the high road. You will come to the Verandah, a nice viewpoint where you can sit and imagine you lived here and this is your front porch, enjoying the sereneness of your homestead.

Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.
www.geocities.com/fudrickus/butte.html