McLane Creek, Stream in Thurston County, United States.
McLane Creek is a stream in Thurston County that flows through wooded areas and empties into the southern part of Mud Bay at Eld Inlet in Washington. Multiple wooden boardwalks and observation decks allow visitors to cross the wetland areas and watch wildlife in their natural setting.
The creek was named after William McLane, a territorial politician who settled in the region during its early development. The name reflects the era when European settlement was expanding into the Pacific Northwest.
The creek has a salmon viewing platform where visitors can observe chum salmon during their spawning run from November through December. The platform reveals how local waters support these fish during a critical time in their life cycle.
Wooden boardwalks and observation decks make it easy to explore the wetlands without getting wet and to spot wildlife at close range. Visit between November and December for the best chance to see salmon during their spawning season.
The surrounding forest displays springboard notches carved into old tree stumps, a remnant of logging work from more than a century ago. These marks show the techniques loggers once used to fell large trees.
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