Goldstream Park

We did this hike a while ago, I just forgot to post it. Goldstream Park is somewhere I've been visiting almost my whole life. When I was in elementary school we would go on field trips to Goldstream to watch the salmon run or come when the salmon have died after mating and watch the eagles try to get some carcasses. Goldstream is good place to not only watch for eagles but also for owls. I did a night-time owl walk when I was a child. I think we only saw one owl but then again 8 year olds are exactly quiet. You can also camp in the park and watch for owls.

On this day, it was sunny until we got to the park and then it poured. We were wearing our most waterproof things we own but still got soaked. We did the hike up behind the falls to the tressel and then to the old gold mine. The trail up to the tressel was very steep and was a real challenge because of how wet the trail was. The trail was almost a waterfall itself because of the rain.

We made it though and it was pretty cool up there. As we walked the trail to the old gold mine we were stalked by a Golden Eagle. I've never seen one stalk people but it just kept flying from tree to tree following us down the trail. We stopped and watched it for a while and I guess it got bored and flew away.

The old gold mine was kind of creepy and it was starting to get dark so we decided that we had had enough of the rain and we decided to head back to the car. If we thought the hike up was a challenge, man was it hard not to make the entire decent down the mountain on your bum. I slipped quite a few times but lucky didn't injure myself.
I would like to do the hike again but on a nicer day. It was hard for me to see everything because I wear glasses and at times it was like trying to look at things through a fishtank. We were soaked.
The park itself is a great place to visit as a family. The stream is really pretty and it is interesting to see all the wildlife that calls the park home. There is a nature house that has maps and educational displays as well as really knowledgeable staff. The hike up to the tressel is tough but the walk down Goldstream is easy and relaxing. For more information visit http://www.goldstreampark.com/ .