Hiking: Kestner Homestead

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Start this loop by heading north on a wide trail paralleling gurgling Kestner Creek. After walking through a tunnel of maples, spruces, and hemlocks, cross the clear creek and emerge at the more-than-century-old homestead. This valley is rugged, isolated, and receives more than 12 feet of rain a year, and Native peoples have lived here for centuries. But it wasn’t until the late 1800s that a few hardy Americans of European descent migrated to this region of big timber and abundant game. The Kestner and Higley families lived on these grounds for decades, and the attractive stream bisecting this homestead and the peak shadowing it bears their names.
Walk through the grounds, inspecting the main home, barn, outbuildings, and various farming relics. Look for elk-frequent visitors, especially during the winter months. After admiring the homestead, continue on the trail and return to the darkness of the forest. In early spring flowering skunk cabbage, nature’s swamp lanterns, add light to the dank rain forest. The trail meanders through maple glades and swampy swales and alongside boughs of sword ferns nearly head high.
At about 1.1 miles, the trail intersects with the Maple Glade Nature Loop Trail. Heading straight takes you directly to the trailhead. Turn left instead and wander the wheelchair-accessible nature trail 0.3 mile before returning to the main trail. Then turn left, cross Kestner Creek, and return to your start.