James Girard Memorial Tamarack Grove

A nature trail through an old growth tamarack forest

James Girard Memorial Tamarack Grove is a 60 acre old growth tamarack forest on the west side of Seeley Lake, featuring a nature trail and a 1,000 year old tree named Gus.

Features: A .1 mile walk to the largest larch tree in the US, a one mile looped nature trail through the grove, and several interpretive signs.

Accessibility info and site description: The Grove is located on the west side of Seeley Lake on Boy Scout Road. From the River Point Campground entrance, head west about .5 mile to a very small dirt parking area on the south side of the road marked with a sign that says "no overnight camping". There is room for a maximum of four cars, and no restroom is available (the nearby River Point Day use area has accessible facilities if needed).

Head past the large rocks in the parking area to the two interpretive signs about wildfires, go straight, then turn right at the fork. The nature trail is a flat, dirt path covered in pine needles, and roughly three feet wide. After 400 feet, there's another fork. Continue on the trail to the right of the fork to stay on the one mile looped nature trail, or take the short trail to the left to find Gus. There is an interpretive sign about Gus's age and size, and a ramp up to a boardwalk that surrounds Gus's trunk.

Gus the larch tree

Entrance to the parking area

Two parking spots to the left

Two parking spots to the right

Head toward the interpretive signs

“Restoring Fire to Girard Grove”

“Salish and Pend d’Oreille People: Expert Use of Fire”

Continue on the trail, then turn right at the fork

Heading toward Gus the larch tree

Less than .1 mile away, Gus is on the trail to the left

Heading to Gus

Interpretive sign on the largest larch tree in the US

There’s a ramp and boardwalk around the tree if you’d like a closer look

Looking up at Gus

There is a one mile loop trail if you’d like to continue exploring the old growth forest

Showing off the size of these old growth trees. Human for scale!

The trail continues past Gus, if you’d like to do the whole loop

My experience: This is a nice flat trail through a beautiful forest, and it was fun to visit Gus and take pictures. I'd love to return to walk the whole loop and enjoy the peaceful setting. I do wish there was a real parking lot here, because you have to get lucky to find a spot on a busy day and it can be a challenge getting in and out. It’s also worth noting that there is a sign about legal hunting in the area. Use caution and consider wearing high visibility orange if you plan to visit during hunting season!

Overall, the Grove is a fun place to stop to visit Gus the larch tree, and a beautiful old growth forest to explore. Just make sure to have a backup plan in case the few parking spots are taken!

 

For more information, visit:
https://forestservicemuseum.org/exhibits/jim-girard/jim-girard-memorial-grove/