Transcendence on the Trail

from Vancouver Family Magazine June 2023

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One of my favorite trails to hike is the Tarbell Trail in east Clark County’s Yacolt Burn State Forest. The trail loops 25 miles through Silver Star’s foothills, Larch Mountain and the impressive and aptly named Hidden Falls (at least five miles from any trailhead or parking area, the falls makes you work for it). In this wilderness, I find a special communion with something much greater than myself. Two summers ago, I took my dad on a mini backpacking trip through the area, keeping our mileage low and slow to safeguard his bad knees. Abandoning distractions and immersed in the breathtaking natural surroundings of the Pacific Northwest, we talked every minute of the short hike— about his upcoming retirement, my eventual retirement, the house my parents were building at the time, challenging family situations. We reminisced about our only other backpacking trip together, more than 25 years before, when we had hiked Eagle Creek with my best friend and her dad. Human connection, like the myriad ferns and firs along the trail, flourishes in conditions like these. The sun was setting over the vast hills as we approached Rock Creek Campground, a primitive horse camp along the trail where we made camp. We had cheated— reserving our campsite earlier that day and dropping off firewood to enjoy a campfire upon our arrival. We continued our conversation over the crackling fire—my favorite place in the world—before turning in for the night. The next morning, after a chilly night in our respective tents (and very little sleep), we did it all over again, this time traversing the path in reverse with the morning sun lighting the way until we were back to where we had started, and made our way home. With our cups filled, we both went back to our respective responsibilities (sometimes as chilly as that night at Rock Creek) with renewed energy and gratitude. I hope to hit the trail with Dad again this summer. But if not, I hope to replicate that connection with him, wherever we are on the path of life, for as long as he’s around.

In this issue, meet a Battle Ground family who also found transcendence on the trail—8,000 miles of trail to be exact (page 22); find new adventures at Mount St. Helens Base Camp (page 18); and read one local mom’s experience sparking a connection with a stranger, overcoming prejudice and ending up with a new car (page 12). Plus, learn how a local nonprofit is helping refugees find their footing in Clark County (page 10).

Nikki Klock, Editor nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Volume 22, Issue 6

Publisher Julie Buchan Julie@vancouverfamilymagazine.com (360) 882-7762

Editor Nikki Klock Nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com (360) 882-7762

Associate Editor Sarah Mortensen Sarah@vancouverfamilymagazine.com