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    Discover Nature

    5.0 (23 reviews)

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    If I could give Diann 100 stars I would! She rocks! I am a recent transplant to the Pacific Northwest; I wanted to visit Mt. Rainier National Park but didn't feel confident in my hiking or map reading skills to go alone. In my research, I found Discover Nature, which specifically leads hiking tours on Mt. Rainier. After speaking with Diann directly to chat about her services, I was sold! She was knowledgeable and enthusiastic and incredibly helpful in guiding me through the planning process of picking a date. In the weeks leading up to the hike, Diann was great about listing out tips and helpful information links to make my outing a success. She even lent me an extra pair of walking sticks for that day. I didn't own any and was curious to try them out! ( They were awesome and saved my knees!) Her directions were clear about where to meet early that morning. We spent a glorious day hiking through Mt. Rainier National Park. I trusted her to pick the trails that would be best suited to my hiking levels. I am in decent shape but I am not someone that goes hiking often. These trails were perfect for me. The weather cooperated. We walked at a moderate pace and she definitely accommodated me and encouraged breather breaks when we were on an incline, especially given the change in elevation. The scenery was SO AWESOME!! I could not stop saying "WOW!" Diann was a great companion and fabulous guide for the day: patient, knowledgeable, helpful, and interesting conversationalist without being overbearing. Having someone else lead the way allowed me to focus (mentally and with the camera, both) on the experience and views without being concerned with safety, distance, directions, etc. I am delighted with the photos and the suggestions from Diann for special shots. I enjoyed hearing about the history of the park, the topography, neighboring mountain ranges, and all learning about the flora and fauna. Diann walked me through the old part of the forest and showed me various plants and tree types, and identified markings of a pileated woodpecker, as well as the call of a very specific type of wren. I could not believe that some of the trees were 800 years old! Then, we drove to the next area called "Paradise". Along the way we stopped a few times, and took in the views at some of the scenic look outs. It was super laid back and felt like I was just hiking with an old friend (who happened to know a lot about the hike). Did I mention the wildlife?! I was lucky enough to see bears ( from a safe distance), mountain goats, marmots, pikas, a hawk and a bald eagle. It was great! I simply could not stop gaping at the stunning snow covered Mt. Ranier! After the hike, Diann recommended a few other places for me to check out on my own before leaving the park. I am so happy that I booked my tour with Discover Nature. Diann was the best! I look forward to booking with her again!

    One of the beautiful places Diann took us! There were many more!
    Dawn K.

    It was the best adventure my mother and I have ever been on! It made memories that will last a lifetime. Diann was amazing tour guide and made sure we got to see everything we asked for and more. She is very knowledgeable with the history and environment. Definately worth it!

    Amazing adventures thanks to Diann!

    Everything was wonderful! I was only in Seattle for a short time but seeing Mt Rainier was something I'd really hoped to do and Diann definitely made it happen for me. She was so accommodating with my schedule and so patient with alllll of my questions! Coming from a warmer climate and not an avid hiker I wasn't sure what to expect and had so much to ask her. Diann is extremely knowledgeable about the mountain, park, animals, plants, everything! I'm pretty sure I asked her questions about everything the entire day and she was more than happy to discuss and answer them. You can tell she is passionate about what she does and wants you to have an amazing experience. She was also so well prepared, I felt very comfortable knowing that with her experience and background she could literally handle anything! Overall, this Mt Rainier tour was the HIGHLIGHT of my Seattle trip and I can't thank Diann enough for being such a wonderful guide and host. I learned so much and made amazing memories, and we couldn't have asked for a more gorgeous day...the mountain was definitely out!

    Entrance to the park.

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    Farrel's Marsh Wildlife Area

    Farrel's Marsh Wildlife Area

    5.0
    (4 reviews)
    1.0 km

    At the top of Chambers street in Steilacoom, lies 62 acres of hidden paradise with a 15-acre pond…read morecalled Farrell's Marsh. This treasured wetland and park is home to a diverse biosphere of native plants, birds, mammals, and amphibians. The main trail of the park is a vestige of the historic road between Fort Steilacoom and Fort Nisqually constructed in the 1830s by the Hudson Bay Company. A pre 1917 Assessors Map shows the marsh, then known as Light's Swamp, as a continuous swamp of approximately 40 acres. Around 1917 the marsh was drained to create a pasture for livestock. In 1930 Fort Lewis bisected the land with a road off Union Avenue. By the 1960s pastoral farming ended to urbanization as Steilacoom expanded. The new developments increased street drainage and outflow, partially reviving the marsh. In 1975 it was purchased by the town with a State grant to be preserved as a protected wetland. Kill Trap Wetlands are ideal for beaver, natures ecosystem engineers, and provide habitat for many endangered species. The algae and plants in the pond improve water quality by absorbing dissolved nutrients, processing organic wastes, and detoxifying toxic street runoff (e.g. heavy metals, pesticides and fertilizers). Through the years beaver have inhabited the marsh and in December 2019 returned, strengthening the derelict dam at the 1917 man made outflow. During the wet months of January, the dam held fast with heavy rains exceeding 5.5 inches in just 5 days, while still allowing a continuous flow of water. The park has recently become a local controversy over how the town plans to mitigate the beavers and the dam. The concern is the potential to downstream flooding, should the dam break. Past flooding has occurred largely due to undersized, substandard and blocked culverts along Union Avenue. Kill Trap Mayor Ron Lucas confirmed he hired a trapper to trap and kill the beaver after a park visitor discovered a lethal "Conibear" kill trap and surveillance camera near one of the trails. There was an immediate concern for public safety since no warning signage was posted and these dangerous traps which could easily kill a large dog or injure a child. The traps, according to the mayor, have been removed with the plans on hold, but as of 29 May, the trail camera remains. COVID-19 has restricted wildlife management from dispatching specialists to the field. However, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) advised council woman Nancy Henderson that the impact of the beaver should be objectively assessed prior to implementing any further plans. Pursuant to RCW 77.55 a Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) permit must be issued by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) to remove or modify a beaver dam on a natural or modified watercourse. Trail Surveilance Camera Dees and Associates 1998 Farrell's Marsh Basin Study advised to effectively achieve flood control a 2.25-foot-wide outlet should be installed. Driveway culverts should be up sized to between 36-42 inches. None of the recommendations were implemented. WDFW stated beaver trapping is both costly and temporary, as beaver will return. Other mitigating more effective measures are available such as a flexible pond leveler or a beaver deceiver. So where are we today? Before further public monies are expended on trapping, subject matter experts must conduct a risk assessment of the current ineffective culvert drainage system on Union Avenue. WDRW Region 6 habitat biologists should be consulted regarding all recommended interventions. Decisions on the long-term impact of this wetland park should be discussed in public forum, including the elected members of the city council; not the unilateral decision of one person. Let's learn to live with them, not without them. Those who wish to remain current on this issue can join the Facebook Group, "Citizens for the Protection and Preservation of the Farrell Marsh."

    This is a tiny hidey-hole of a portal in a forgotten corner of Steilacoom. Enter this dark forest…read moreand you will immediately be surrounded by a sense of enigma...and foreboding... Tiny paths digress from the main trails and dead end at the moor's edge. Tangles of ivy and prickly things will grasp your arms and legs whilst curiosity leads you forward like a coy, evil faery with a casual giggle and a curled-finger. Onward, ever onward, you seek to know what lies just beyond the next bend in the dense hedges until you find yourself stepping into a circle of giant mushrooms, onto a muddy clearing that seems just slightly out of place. What looks like a path beckons from the other side, you take a step, then another. Your nervous bae fidgets behind you like a colt that smells a faint trace of blood spilled by some predatory feline. "Can we go back now?" she says, trying to mask the fear, the adrenaline that closes around her throat like icy fingers. "Let me just take a peek around this shrubbery. I see something weird...these roots...what?" "Bae?" "I'm sinking! My feet! Oh my god..." "BAE!!!!" "The blue lights, I see the blue lights. Run, J-Bae! Run!" "AHHHHHHH!" MEOW! A portal opens. The faery laughs and laughs. Your curiosity is sated...forever...

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    Farrel's Marsh Wildlife Area
    Farrel's Marsh Wildlife Area
    Farrel's Marsh Wildlife Area

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    Grandview Chambers Bay Bike and Hike Trail

    Grandview Chambers Bay Bike and Hike Trail

    4.7
    (33 reviews)
    4.2 km

    By far, my favorite walking trail in the South Sound…read more It's completely paved, probably has some of the most scenic views that a walking trail boasts, has ample restrooms along the trail, and more. Up top is a playground and on the bottom is a off-leash dog park. So much green space, too. Gladly will make the 40-minute drive to visit here over and over again!

    I definitely feel this is one of the pleasantly lengthy and well maintained bike and walking trails…read morein the University Place and Tacoma area. There are a few others I feel that are of this good of quality but notable exceptions would be the walking paths at Ruston Way, Cushman Trail (in Gig Harbor) and maybe a trail in Orting, WA which I have yet to go to. I am focusing on the surface of the trails because a lot of Tacoma trails have pretty significant bumps and upheavals in the path caused by roots, frost and time. And seeing them neglected is a bit sad and possible hazards. The views while walking the trail are breathtaking in which you can see the Olympic Mountains, neighboring islands and Puget Sound as well as different angles of the park in which you can get in great views of the concrete structures on one side of the park and the golf course. Definitely a trail I recommend taking if you are into scouting out bike and walking trails and don't mind going up tall hills and a giving up some time to do the loop. This trail is pretty popular as ts in the summer lots of people use it and I can easily understand why.

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    Chamber Bay Golf
    Chamber Bay Golf
    Chamber Park Beach
    Chamber Park Beach
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    Discover Nature - tours - Updated July 2026

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