Eastern portion of wildlife refuge art trail reopens for spring, summer

The eastern portion of the Gibbons Creek Wildlife Art Trail at the Steigerwald Lake Wildlife Refuge near Washougal recently reopened for the warmer-weather months.

Established in June 2009, the 2.25-mile art trail allows the public to enjoy various artwork — mostly sculptural — while they hike the flat, graveled path and look for wildlife sightings. While on the trail, visitors can enjoy the view of nearby riparian woodlands, fields, wetlands, creeks, lakes and also connect to the nearby Columbia River dike trail.

Part of the Gibbons Creek Art trail closes from October through May, to protect wintering waterfowl, but the western part of the trail, which winds by Steigerwald Lake, is open year-round. The parking lot and entrance to the wildlife refuge are located about one mile east of Washougal off state Route 14.