03-Jan-2005 -- This confluence is at the edge of the Capitol State Forest. Originally 52,000 acres, early in the last century this area was logged and abandoned -- considered worthless by some and acknowledged as a fire hazard. Envisioning a restored forest, the state aquired this land in the 1920's and replanted it. Acreage was added through cooperative arrangements with Thurston County and by consolidating school sections from across the state. Proceeds from logging done today go to support local schools. The state now tries to balance resource management and recreational use in this lovely area only a few miles from Olympia, Washington's capital city.
To find the confluence, from Delphi road just north of the confluence, we turned into the "McLane Creek Centennial Demonstration Forest and Nature Trail". A little ways down the road, there's a small parking area on the right (with a sign describing some of the Forest's history), and stairs on the left. The stairs take you to a maze of trails. Using the GPS to make the navigation decisions, the trail quickly brought us to an old logging road which goes within 100m of the confluence. Hardier souls can then continue into the less used trails (possibly deer trails?) which approach the actual confluence point.
After visiting the confluence, don't forget to continue down the road to the larger parking lot at the end, and the actual "Nature Trail". Very beautiful scenery -- we're planning on stopping by to see this in the various seasons. Portions of this trail are handicapped-accessible and there are pit toilets at the trailhead.