Rockport State Park (Washington)

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Rockport State Park
Lichen-covered trees in Rockport State Park

Lichen-covered trees in Rockport State Park

location Skagit County in Washington (USA)
surface 271 ha
Geographical location 48 ° 29 ′  N , 121 ° 37 ′  W Coordinates: 48 ° 29 ′ 27 "  N , 121 ° 36 ′ 59"  W
Rockport State Park (Washington) (Washington)
Rockport State Park (Washington)
Setup date 1961
administration Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
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Area map, Rockport State Park on the left
Sawed tree trunk at the former campground

The Rockport State Park is a State Park in Washington state near Rockport in Skagit County . The only 271 hectare state park is located north of the Skagit River at the foot of the 1645 m high Sauk Mountain . On the western edge of the reserve is the Sauk Mountain Trail , accessible from Highway 20 .

The old trees have never been touched and are largely in their original state, comparable to a local forest . The treetops form such a dense canopy of leaves that in places no sunbeams can reach the ground. In connection with the damp, cloudy climate, this results in optimal conditions for a lush vegetation of mosses and lichens. In the park is also the David Douglas Historical Marker memorial for David Douglas , the discoverer of the Douglas fir and other plants named after him . Some of the Douglas fir trees in Rockport State Park have already reached a height of 75 meters.

history

The name of the park, which opened in 1961, is derived from the neighboring community of Rockport. This in turn got its name from the numerous large boulders near the landing stage on the Skagit River. The park's old stock of trees is evident, covering almost 250 hectares. The trees are still standing because the Sound Timber Company refused to cut them down as lumber . As early as 1935, the timber company sold the site, including the trees, to Washington State for the symbolic price of one US dollar.

The camping facilities are closed indefinitely because the risk under the old trees is too high.

Flora and vegetation

The native tree population consists primarily of cedars, Douglas firs, hemlocks, yews, alders and maples. Ferns and berries are native to the ground. Branches, trunks and the ground are covered in places with mosses and lichen.

See also

State parks in Washington

Web links

Commons : Rockport State Park  - Collection of pictures, videos, and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Rockport State Park ( English ) Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  2. ↑ Rockport, Washington (WA 98283) profile ( English ) City-data.com. Retrieved December 30, 2017.