Author: Cecilia

About Accessibility in Washington State

“About Accessibility in Washington State” : A collaboration between Washington’s Recreation and Conservation Office, the Department of Fish and  Wildlife, the USDA Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources, Olympic National Park and the State Parks and Recreation Commission has put together guidelines for outdoor recreation.  They rate everything from campsites, picnic sites, places for fishing and hiking to bathrooms and wildlife watching as:

Accessible: Based on criteria within the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). Facility is connected with barrier-free-route-of-travel from an accessible parking area. Due to topography and the primitive nature of some sites, these routes may not be accessible to all with disabilities.

Useable: Facility allows significant access. Some individuals with disabilities may have difficulty and need assistance.

Non-Accessible: Does not meet ADAAG criteria.

Bellevue

Bellevue

Bellevue Botanic Garden
The Gardens and paths are beautifully designed to give a feel for the natural ecology of the area. There are accessible restrooms at the visitor center. Many of the gravel/mulch trails are hilly so severely limited people may wish to remain on the upper parts, near the parking lot, although power wheelchairs should be able to negotiate most of the trails which are hard-packed fine gravel and ADA compliant.  Call them for details: 425.452.2750.  Here is the Gardens’ website.
Trail & Accessibility Guide

Walker with stroller on ADA Accessible Trail Bellevue Botanic Garden, Bellevue WA
ADA Accessible Trail Bellevue Botanic Garden, Bellevue WA
ADA Accessible Trail Bellevue Botanic Garden, Bellevue WA
ADA Accessible Trail Bellevue Botanic Garden, Bellevue WA
Lake Hills Greenbelt

Wheelchair AccessibleThe accessible mile long part of the Lake to Lake Trail that is in the Lake Hills Greenbelt in Bellevue takes you through a wetland, a blueberry farm and into cedar woods.  You can park at the Ranger Station GPS N47° 365.800′  W122° 08.057′ or at the fruit stand GPS N47° 36.199′  W122° o8.554′.

Walker on ADA Wheelchair Accessible Boardwalk, Lake Hills Greenbelt, Bellevue WA
Accessible Boardwalk, Lake Hills Greenbelt, Bellevue WA
Interpretive sign on Lake Hills Greenbelt ADA accessible boardwalk, Bellevue WA
Interpretive sign on boardwalk, Lake Hills Greenbelt
Accessible Fishing Pier, Lake Hills Greenbelt, Bellevue WA
Accessible Fishing Pier, Lake Hills Greenbelt
ADA wheelchair accessible path into cedar forest, Lake Hills Greenbelt, Bellevue WA
Accessible path into cedar forest, Lake Hills Greenbelt, Bellevue WA

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park –
“The Olympic Mountains are host to montane forests giving way to subalpine meadows, rocky alpine slopes and glacier-capped summits. …Linking ocean and land ecosystems, rivers and streams provide a highway for fish and other wildlife to move both up and downstream….The park protects one of the largest remaining blocks of old growth forest and temperate rain forest in the lower 48 states….From sandy beaches to rocky offshore islands, Olympic’s shoreline harbors a wealth of marine and intertidal communities.”
Here is the Park website.  Phone 360-565-3130  Link to Maps and Brochures  Park Map
Although some of these trails have little elevation gain, mosses, mud, and wet rocks and roots can make them challenging.  Accessible Adventures video
Elwha
Wheelchair AccessibleMadison Falls  0.1 mile one way paved trail to a 60 ft. waterfall.

? Smokey Bottom Trail 1.9 miles one way.  “Winds through forest above former Lake Mills.”  Although there is only 18 ft. elevation change on this trail, it may have difficult footing.  Call to find out.
Dosewallips
? Terrace Loop “Easy 1.2 mile loop through forested terraces above the Dosewallips River. Elevation gain 200 feet.”
Deer Park
? RainShadow Loop 0.5 mile self guided trail to top of Blue Mountain.  Elevation gain is 170 ft and I do not know how difficult the path is.  Call first.
Hoh Rain Forest
Wheelchair AccessibleMini Trail 0.1 mile “…flat, paved, accessible-with-assistance loop in old growth rain forest.”
0.8 mile “…easy loop through old growth temperate rain forest, with 100 foot elevation gain.”
? Spruce Nature Trail 1.2 mile loop.  “…loop through temperate rain forest to Hoh River. Less than 100 foot elevation gain.”  Could be difficult footing.
Hurricane Ridge
Wheelchair AccessibleCirque Rim 0.5 mile one way.  “Easy paved trail with views of Port Angeles and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Wheelchair accessible with assistance.”
Wheelchair AccessibleBig Meadow 0.25 one way  “Easy paved trail crosses open meadows with views of the Olympics. Wheelchair accessible with assistance.”
Wheelchair Accessible Hurricane Hill.  The first 0.25 miles of this 1.6 mile trail is wheelchair accessible with assistance. Paved.
Kalaloch
Kalaloch Nature Trail 1.0 mile  “…easy loop through coastal forest, with stairs and elevation change less than 40 feet.”
Wheelchair AccessibleRuby Beach and Beach 4 have accessible overlooks.

Lake Crescent
Wheelchair AccessibleMoments in Time 0.6 mile loop 0.6 mile loop  “Self-guided nature trail through forest and by the lake, 0.6 loop none accessible with assistance.”
Mora Area
Wheelchair AccessibleRialto Beach  200 ft path to ocean view.  “Temporary accessible ramp available in summer season.”
Quinault
Wheelchair AccessibleMaple Glade  0.5 mile flat loop through a mossy bigleaf maple grove.  Accessible with assistance, but not fully ADA.
Wheelchair AccessibleKestner Homestead  1.3 mile loop.  Accessible with assistance, but not fully ADA.
Staircase
Wheelchair AccessibleShady Lane 0.9 mile trail to Four Stream Road and Lake Cushman.  First 0.1 mile is accessible.
Wheelchair AccessibleStaircase Rapids Loop  2 mile trail of which “The 0.6 miles to the Big Cedar, and the 0.5 mile section to a river viewpoint are accessible with assistance.”