Shadow of the Sentinels

This trail is all about the trees. Standing guard over the forest floor, 500-year old Douglas firs and cedars steal the show. It's an easy walk, and anyone can do it; the barrier-free trail alternates between boardwalks and pavement for a gentle half mile with almost no elevation change. Conveniently, the trailhead is right off Baker Lake Road and available year round. It's a great stop for those camping nearby at any one of Baker Lake's many campgrounds.

Designated a National Recreation Trail in 1980, Shadow of the Sentinels Trail was improved 10 years later as part of the Koma Kulshan Hydroelectric Project. Today, you can enjoy interpretive signage along the way. These signs describe the giant trees, including a Douglas fir estimated to be nearly 700 years old. They also provide information on the surrounding flora and fauna. Listen for woodpeckers, sample red huckleberries, and lose yourself, if only for a moment, in the ancient forest.