Last week we went to an area very close to home: Coal Creek natural area. We also went with a friend very close to us: Nick Welch! And Nick gets the honor of being the first Hikes With Dad guest since the pandemic began! Brook has known Nick for about 25 years, and I have known Nick as long as I have known Brook; about 11.5 years.

The Coal Creek area actually lives up to it’s name; it was surveyed in the 1870s, and found to have significant amounts of coal, which was then mined from several shafts, which are still visible today. The nearby city of Newcastle was actually founded due to the coal industry in this region.

With the farms bordering the area, and the previous cultivation having taken place, this trail has far less old growth, and resembles more of a pastoral, hilly area in Minnesota,. rather than the typical Pacific Northwest vegetation.

This trail is about 6 miles out and back, and has a modest elevation gain of 500 feet. It is a very well-maintained trail; even when part of it routinely gets washed out every other year by flooding, the parks crews always come out and get it ready for Spring. This is just another reminder of how lucky we are to live in a place that we can drive 5 minutes away, and find ourselves in a wonderful, well-cared for area.

I am also grateful to back to hiking with good friends again. Hopefully this heralds a new year with many more hikes with friends!