The Chehalis Western Trail is a rail trail in Thurston County, Washington, and is the longest shared-use path in the region. It occupies an abandoned railroad corridor that was once used by the historic Weyerhaeuser-owned Chehalis Western Railroad. The rail line was converted to a bicycle and walking trail and intersects with the 14.5 mi Yelm–Rainier–Tenino Trail and the 4.7 mi Karen Fraser Woodland Trail.

History

The rail line was used by the Weyerhaeuser company for approximately 60 years to haul timber logs into the Puget Sound region. In order for the trail to be fully rideable, three bridge crossings in the Olympia and Lacey area were completed between 2007 and 2014.

Route

The trail, also known under the name Woodland Bay Trail, is the longest in the county. It is approximately 22 mi in length and begins at the Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area and runs mostly south to southeast towards its terminus at the intersection of the Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail. The course connects via a roundabout to the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail. The trail passes through several cities and communities including, Olympia, South Bay, Lacey, East Olympia, and Skookumchuck. The trail is flat and is listed as easy to moderate. It is wheelchair accessible for most of its length and there are several dozen trailhead and access points. It is open year-round but the Woodard Bay trailhead is closed in some years to protect nesting herons at the conservation area.

Ecology

The Chehalis Western Trail passes through a variety of landscapes, including prairies, farm and ranch lands, ponds, and dense forests of cedar, fir, and maple. The Woodard Bay conservation area is home to a large heron colony and visitors can spot bald eagles, a diverse array of songbirds, various bat species, and several types of aquatic animals such as otters and seals.

Public art and attractions

Near the intersection with the Yelm–Rainier–Tenino Trail, the Chehalis Western Trail passes through the Monarch Contemporary Art Center and Sculpture Park. Users of the path have access to 170 acre of parks and the trail parallels the Deschutes River, including a 2 mi stretch that allows direct views and access to the river. In May 2023, a bench on the trail was dedicated to Bronka Sundstrom (Czyzyk), a survivor of the Holocaust who became the oldest person, at age 77 in 2002, to climb Mt. Rainier. Given the moniker "The Lady of the Mountain" for her history at Mount Rainier National Park, she was an avid hiker of the Chehalis Western after she had retired to a nearby community.

Future plans

An expansion of the southern terminus of the trail to connect to the community of Vail was proposed in 2022; it would add over 3 mi to the course.