Darlin Creek Preserve protects 312 acres near Delphi Valley. Within its boundaries are more than 200 acres of recovering forest, 70 acres of diverse wetland habitat, Lake Lucinda, and important wildlife habitat for state and federally listed species. The Preserve also contains more than 2 miles of fish-bearing tributaries to the Black River: Darlin, Dempsey, and Pants Creeks. Please note that this preserve is at the end of a private neighborhood. Please drive slowly through the neighborhood on your way to the preserve.
Guidelines:
Open from dawn till dusk.
Keep pets on leash and dispose of waste properly.
No hunting, fires, fireworks, camping or motorized vehicles.
No removal of vegetation or mushrooms.
Stay on designated trails.
Location:
8910 Lake Lucinda Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98512. Free parking is available at the site.
Bathroom Information:
There is a portable toilet with hand sanitizer.
Notice:
Cell reception can be limited.
Trail Information:
Darlin Creek Preserve Trail Map
The trails are a mixture between dirt, gravel, and old roadbed.
Lake Loop Trail is 1.3 miles long. Heading south from the parking area and following the trail clockwise (see map), the trail follows a level old logging road until the trail splits off from the Wetland Forest Loop Trail, heading southwest (to the right). The trail gently slopes downhill to a narrow footbridge before leveling out again. It gains elevation when it meets back up with Wetland Forest Loop Trail on the west side of the preserve. Continue right to complete the loop along a flat old railroad grade (can be muddy in spots). The trail splits from the railroad grade to head east to Lake Lucinda (to the right). The trail is narrow and slightly downhill to the lake, and then runs across the level top of the earthen dam, and then has a gradual incline back to the parking lot. There is one bench on the west side of this trail.
Wetland Forest Loop Trail is about 2 miles long. Heading clockwise from the parking area, the trail is flat until a slight decline in elevation to a large bridge crossing Darlin Creek. cross the bridge near the Beaver Pond. Check out the flat spur trail just after the bridge for a look at a beaver dam and the pond behind it! After the bridge, the trail increases in elevation and follows an old logging road, with uphill and downhill sections and some uneven footing. At the end of the old logging road, the trail bends north to cross a footbridge (look for the nearby beaver dam!) and connect with an old railroad grade. The railroad grade is very level but may be muddy in spots. After a short distance, the trail reconnects with the Lake Loop Trail and passes by Lake Lucinda (see above description). There are three benches along the Wetland Forest Loop Trail, one at the Beaver Pond, one at the South Beaver Pond, and one along the western portion of the Lake Loop Trail.
The Piedra Trail is about 1 mile long and varies in elevation changes. It is a narrow, mostly dirt path. It ends on Piedra Drive. There is no parking along Piedra Drive, please park in the designated parking lot.