News / Clark County News

Try This: Take a hike to beautiful Moulton Falls

By Ashley Swanson, Columbian Features News Coordinator

Published: January 24, 2014, 4:00pm

Columbian files Lucia Falls on the East Fork of the Lewis River churns around its narrow bend of lava rock as the sun shines through tall conifers, dappling the deep shadows with brilliant highlights.

Even in the winter, the Moulton Falls Trail, outside of Yacolt, offers plenty to see. Moulton Falls Regional Park is home to three waterfalls, volcanic rock formations and a three-story-tall bridge over the East Fork of the Lewis River. A moderate 2.5-mile trail runs from Moulton Falls Park to the Hantwick Road Trailhead along the riverbank. Hantwick Road connects to Lucia Falls Park via a one-mile loop, that also can be accessed from Northeast Lucia Falls Road. The area also includes parking, restrooms, picnic areas and equestrian trails.

When: 7 a.m. to dusk daily.

Where: Moulton Falls Regional Park, 27781 Lucia Falls Road, Yacolt.

Admission: Free.

Web: http://cityofvancouver.us/parksrec

Hiking is among several options for getting out and about this weekend.

2. For movie buffs

Camas Independent Film Festival continues with the documentary “La Camioneta: The Journey of One American School Bus,” not rated, which follows a decommissioned school bus that’s resurrected as one of the brightly colored transports used by a majority of Guatemalans. The award-winning drama “Short Term 12,” rated R, follows Grace (Brie Larson) as she works as a caretaker at a home for at-risk teens. The films will be shown in the Granada Studio, which is limited to those 21 and older after 5:30 p.m.

When: “La Camioneta,” noon and 6 p.m. today and Sunday; “Short Term 12,” 7:45 p.m. today and Sunday.

Admission: $4.

Where: Liberty Theatre, 315 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas.

Telephone: 360-859-9555.Web: http://camasliberty.com

3. Good and evil duel

The Bravo! Vancouver concert series continues with Stravinsky’s “The Solider’s Tale (L’Histoire du Soldat).” The performance will feature seven guest musicians from the region with Camas High School drama teacher Sean Kelly, and theater students Megan Scott and Nolan Rose as the three narrators. Composed in 1917 for seven instruments and three actors, the story follows a classic struggle between good and evil, as a devil tempts a soldier with a beautiful woman and money.

When: 3 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Camas High School Theatre, 26900 S.E. 15th St., Camas.

Admission: $25.

Telephone: 360-906-0441.

Web: www.bravoconcerts.com

4. Fun for old and young

The World Forestry Center annual benefit is a treat for the senses. At ChocolateFest, visitors can sample, taste and savor chocolate treats made by regional vendors. There are also a variety of presentations, from creating truffles to the process of turning cocoa beans into chocolate bars.

When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland.

Admission: $12, $10 for seniors, $8 for students, $7 for ages 5 to 12.

Telephone: 503-228-1367.

Web: http://chocolatefest.org

KidFest!

Whoop It Up Winter Weekend offers a bevy of activities for families, with interactive exhibits, rock climbing, mad science demonstrations, petting zoo, sports challenges, a robotics expo, cooking competitions and musical performances. The Evergreen School Pantries will collect food for the school backpack programs; canned food donations are encouraged.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Sunday.

Where: Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Drive, Portland.

Admission: $5, free for 3 and younger, $20 family pass for a group of 5.

Telephone: 503-736-5200.

Web: http://kidfestnw.com

5. Critters do ‘The Nut Job’

Surly the squirrel (voiced by Will Arnett) is banished from the city park by the rest of its animal residents when Surly’s selfish ways wreck the shared winter stockpile. When Surly begins planning his next big heist on a nut store, park squirrel Andie (Katherine Heigl) makes a deal for the nuts to go to the other critters. But the store’s human owners are planning a heist of their own. “The Nut Job” is rated PG.

Where: Battle Ground Cinema, 1700 S.W. Ninth Ave., Battle Ground; Cinetopia Mill Plain, 11700 S.E. Seventh St.; Cinetopia Vancouver Mall 23, 8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive; Regal Cinema locations.

Cost: Varies by location.

Telephone: Battle Ground Cinema, 360-666-7200;Cinetopia, 360-213-2800; Cinetopia Vancouver Mall 23, 360-448-4100; Regal Cinemas, 800-326-3264.

Web: www.battlegroundcinema.com, www.cinetopia.com, www.regmovies.com.