1000 Steps

This trail is a remarkable example of the outstanding rock work completed at Washington State Park during the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1936, the CCC's Company 1743 constructed the trail using the large stone steps that gave 1000 Steps Trail its name. After climbing the stone steps through the oak/hickory hardwood woodland, hikers will encounter more of the CCC's handiwork - an overlook shelter built into the hillside to resemble a natural outcropping. This stone shelter overlooks the Big River valley and makes a nice resting place after the long climb up the talus slope. This shelter can only be accessed via the hiking trail. Hiking along this trail, visitors may see many of nature's wonders, including colorful wildflowers, native songbirds, frisky squirrels and other small mammals, majestic hardwood trees and abundant dolomite rock outcroppings. 1000 Steps Trail also meanders through the 68-acre Washington State Park Hardwood Natural Area, an area of land set aside for protection because of its natural beauty.

Along the trail, hikers will encounter several bridges and stonework that may become slippery, rocks and roots sticking up in the trail's natural surface, and steep grades traversed by uneven stone steps. Hikers also may notice a number of downed trees along many sections of the trail; these are a result of severe storm damage and the area is recovering as