Though Seattleites live closer to the woods than a lot of urban

Published 7:00 am Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Though Seattleites live closer to the woods than a lot of urban dwellers, every now and then one needs to commune with nature on a deeper level than circumnavigating Green Lake Park. But not everyone has the time, gear, or inclination to go, say, ice climbing in Leavenworth. Just 30 minutes east of the city on I-90 lies a happy medium: Twin Falls State Park. Situated along the south fork of the Snoqualmie River, the 1.5-mile-long trail ascends to one of the most beautiful, mesmerizing, and rejuvenating natural sights around: falling water. Though some sections are steeper than others, the trail only gains 300 feet of total elevation, making it a fun jaunt that accommodates all ages and takes hikers through a number of microclimates, from lush, fern-covered rain forest to a more spare, alpine landscape populated with old-growth trees (including an especially ancient Douglas fir as big around as a woodshed).—Huan Hsu I-90 just east of North Bend, www.wa.parks.gov.