Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve
The mounds in this picture are from the 445-acre Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve, and they’re interesting enough to justify a road trip down past Olympia.
The Mima Mounds are 4- to 6-foot-high mounds, whose origins have puzzled scientists for years. There used to be nearly a million of the odd little mounds spread across 30,000 acres of prairie. The creation of the preserve has saved some of them for our viewing.
If you’re wondering where the Mima Mounds came from, there are numerous theories. Perhaps they were formed after Ice Age glaciers retreated and the subsequent period of thawing and freezing caused cracks and bulges in the earth. Maybe aliens had something to do with their creation. Or maybe the mounds were created by lots and lots of gophers.
If you want to investigate for yourself, you can get to the preserve via I-5 exit 95, which is south of Olympia. Drive four miles to Littlerock, head through town, and then turn right on Waddell Creek Road. The entrance to the preserve is on the left and is open all year around.
Once there, enjoy a stroll through the mounds. A half mile nature trail is paved for wheelchair access, but for more mileage, take advantage of the unpaved loop trails. If you hit them, you can get about a five-mile walk. Leave your pets at home, though, as dogs and horses aren’t allowed.
More articles:
http://www.wintersteel.com/Mima_Mounds.html
http://www.meta-religion.com/Archaeology/Northamerica/mysterious_mima_mounds.htm