John Laird, April 5: Two lovely loops beckon local drivers

John Laird

Here's one more reason not to trust the mainstream, left-wing, socialist, Marxist, yellow-dog, bleeding-heart, unpatriotic, elitist, liberal media: CNN.com recently reported on "Five cool day trips around the country," and not one of the dreamy drives is in the Pacific Northwest. The CNNers overlooked the magnificence of America's upper left corner.

According to CNN, the five cool day trips are North Dakota's Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway; the drive from Kansas City, Mo., to St. Joseph, Mo.; from Baltimore to St. Michaels, Md.; from Dallas to Fort Worth (a near-death misadventure that I've survived many times and which I rank among my "Five Worst Day Trips," about as beautiful as driving from Los Angeles to San Bernardino); and Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles.

In last week's column, I reported on the thrills of long-distance driving. A few readers even volunteered to join me on the 9,208-mile, two-week drive that I plan to take in the distant future to all four corners of the lower 48 states. Today, we'll explore the other end of the wanderlust spectrum: short, slow, glorious day trips in Clark County. I have two to recommend, one official and one highly unofficial:

— The North Clark County Scenic Drive, designated by county commissioners, is a great opportunity for newcomers to learn about many of the county's most attractive areas. It's also a good way for long-time residents to reacquaint themselves with areas that they haven't seen in many years. You'll learn a lot about how and where growth has affected our communities, and you'll learn which remote and forested areas absolutely must be protected from further attacks of the bulldozer's blade.

This 70-mile scenic drive is described in text and map forms at www.clark.wa.gov/ScenicDrive.html. The map is especially useful. The loop drive stretches from the old Sara community on Northwest 179th Street to Ridgefield; over to La Center; northeast on Jenny Creek Road; east on Etna, Spurrel, Pup Creek and Cedar Creek roads; south on Amboy Road to Yacolt and Moulton Falls; east on Lucia Falls Road past the falls (in my opinion, the No. 1 scenic spot in Clark County); through Battle Ground; northwest to the Daybreak area and back to Sara.

In addition to Lucia Falls, my favorite spots on this loop include the dark, "Sleepy Hollow" solemnity of Allen Canyon Road north of Ridgefield, and the Grist Mill off Spurrel Road, my pick for the county's No. 2 scenic spot.

— The Laird Loop, every bit as unofficial as it sounds, offers the best way to explore far east Clark County. This 37-mile adventure starts and ends in beautiful downtown Hockinson, whose epicenter is at Northeast 159th Street and Northeast 182nd Avenue. After you zero out your trip odometer (helpful in descriptions to come), head south for one mile, then east on Northeast 139th Street, and you'll begin a climb of about 1,600 feet in elevation. At 3.3 miles, veer to the left onto Rawson Road. Beyond the Clark Rifles range, you'll leave the heavily populated areas and marvel at the glorious views to the south and southwest.

At 6.4 miles go through a gate and enter the Yacolt Burn State Forest. The next of many great highlights on this day trip comes at 9.2 miles: a magnificent view of Mount St. Helens to the north. You're at almost 2,000 feet of elevation, the high point of the trip.

At 9.4 miles turn left (north), not right (to Camas), and drive down to Larch Correctional Center. Continue on to Rock Creek Campground (you'll lose pavement for 2.5 miles, but it's still a good road), then mosey through Dole Valley to Sunset Falls Road, 18.6 miles into your day trip. Turn left. Then, at 20.6 miles, turn left on Lucia Falls Road (a detour to Yacolt, three miles to your right, might be worth your time).

Now you're driving along the exquisite East Fork of the Lewis River (the largest undammed river in the county). Be sure to visit Moulton and Lucia Falls before turning left across the Heisson Bridge at 26.4 miles, then on to Battle Ground and back to Hockinson.

Take either loop drive — or both — and you'll fall even more deeply in love with the innumerable natural blessings God has showered upon Clark County. Ours is a land to cherish and preserve, never to take for granted.