Wind River Historic District

The Wind River Administrative Site Historic District Is located In the Wind River Valley, in Skamania County, Washington, near the southern end of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It is situated on the southern banks of Trout Creek, a major tributary of the Wind River. Established as an administrative site for Forest Service use in 1906, the historic landscape covers 65 acres and contains representative structures from three distinct Forest Service administrative units. The earliest of these was the Hemlock Ranger Station, established along the southern bank of Trout Creek in 1906. This was followed in 1909 by the Wind River Nursery, and in 1913 by the Wind River Experiment Station. These-three administrative units cooperated over the course of almost 90 years on the site, sharing facilities and personnel and benefiting from each other's innovations.

The Wind River Historic District is a National Register of Historic Places eligible site. The historic district encompasses the Wind River Nursery which was first established in 1910 in an effort to replant areas burned over in the Yacolt burn. The historic district is located at the original nursery field, housing and administrative buildings that are located along Chapman Avenue. Most of these buildings are leased to Skamania County and some can be rented as a base to explore the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

The oldest arboretum in the Pacific Northwest was established at the nursery and can still be hiked today. A round cut from the largest recorded Douglas fir tree is located at the entrance to the arboretum.

Activities: The Wind River Historic District offers two hikes, day-use facilities at Hemlock Picnic area and overnight accommodations in buildings along Chapman Avenue along with access to many nearby recreation activities.

The oldest Arboretum in the Pacific Northwest offers a 2 mile interpretive trail hike with the option to split the trail into one of two loops for a shorter hike. The trail takes you past surviving exotic trees planted to test the viability of non-native species for timber production.

A logging camp once existed next to the nursery and helped to clear the nursery field. The logging company was the first to log the burned areas in the Wind River area by means of railroad logging. Some of the equipment that was used by the logging company remains in the area. The Whistle Punk Trail takes you on a 1.5 hike that passes some of the remains of the equipment with interpretive signs. The trail is accessible and accessible restrooms are available at the trailhead.

The Hemlock Day Use site on Trout Creek is located at the former Civilian Conservation Corps established reservoir. The dam creating the reservoir was removed and the area was restored to help wildlife in the area. You can picnic at the day use site where there is a small shelter, fireplace and flushing toilets. You can access Trout Creek from short trails. The Pacific Crest Trail also crosses through Wind River Nursery.

Learn more about the Wind River Experimental Forest.

Title:	PNW Research Station_Wind River Arboretum 10-16-21 ed
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Title:	Wind River Arboretum sign
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Title:	Wind River Arboretum 10-16-21 ed
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Title:	Chapman Avenue in Historic Wind River Site
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Title:	Panther Creek Falls
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General Information

From Carson Washinton, head north on Wind River Highway for 7.6 miles. At the town of Stabler, Wa turn left onto Hemlock Road. Drive for 1.3 miles and you will be at the old Forest Service office. Travel straight across Trout Creek to access the historic district and arboretum. To access the Day Use Area and Whistle Punk trailhead turn right off of Hemlock Road on to Forest Road 43. The Day Use Area will be immediately on the left. For Whistle Punk trailhead continue to drive approximately a ¼ mile to the first right which is the Old Bunker Hill Road (Forest Road 417). The trailhead is located approximately ¼ mile on the right.

The Wind River is popular for dispersed camping and day-use activities, including swimming, kayaking and fishing. The river is managed as a Wild Steelhead River and the segment from Stabler and the Wind River Historic District to the Columbia River is considered a potential Scenic river. The scenic quality is outstanding due to its rapid descent through a deep, basalt cliff-line gorge. A hot spring area is located at river mile 2.4.

The Wind River Historic District is located just off the Wind River Highway with easy access in the summer to the Panther Creek area, Trapper Creek Wilderness and the Lewis River area can be accessed with a trip up over Old Man Pass. During summer Old Man Pass offers hiking and Mountain Biking and during winter Sno-park, snowmobile and ski trails opportunities. 

Popular trails in the area include:

Panther Creek Falls- Located 3.5 miles south of the junction with Forest Road 60065 on Forest Road 65. The trail is 0.1 miles on the west side of the road from the gravel pit. An easy 200 yard walk to the viewing platform. A double falls where one creek washes down a 100 ft plus slope and spreads over the cliff for a width of 40 to 50 feet. The other creek enters from the middle right of the first falls and drops about 60 feet beside the first creek. Use care with children to keep them away from the cliffs and fast running water.

Upper Falls Creek is located 1.5 miles from the junction of Highway 30 and Forest Road 3062. The gradual grade of this trail slowly climbs away from Falls Creek and crosses 2 creeks before reaching the waterfall in approximately 2 1/2 miles. The trail flattens out for about 3/4 mile, meets to Forest Road 6053 and ends. Falls Creek surges over rocks and timber cascading from a height of 100 feet, creating a gentle mist below. Approximately 3 miles from the trailhead a large clear pool about 50 feet wide and 10 feet deep, provides a lovely picnic spot.

Falls Creek Falls is located .5 miles from the intersection of Forest Road 3062 and Forest Road 057. Beginning at the end of Road 3062, the trail follows Falls Creek, climbing through a 30- to 60-year-old forest for about 1.5 miles. A cable suspension bridge spans a rock gorge providing spectacular views of the white water of Falls Creek. Continue uphill for 0.7 mile to the base of the waterfall. The trail ends at the waterfall. There is a creek crossing prior to the falls. This can be a difficult crossing during early season flows. Be careful around the steep cliffs at the end of the trail.