Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve
| Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve | |
|---|---|
Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve | |
| Location | Southwest corner of Thurston County, Washington, United States |
| Nearest town | Littlerock, Washington |
| Coordinates | 46°53′N 123°03′W / 46.89°N 123.05°W |
| Area | 756 acres (306 ha) |
| Established | 1976[1] |
| Governing body | Washington Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | dnr |
Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve is a state-protected Natural Area in the southwest corner of Thurston County, Washington, on the outwash plain of the Vashon Glacier.[2] It was established in 1976 to protect examples of mima mounds.[1]
The site comprises 756 acres (306 ha) of Garry oak woodland, oak savanna, and prairie grasslands.[1][3]
There are approximately 8-10 mounds per acre, measuring 1-7 feet in height and having a diameter of 8-40 feet.[4][5]
History
The mounds were documented by Charles Wilkes on May 20, 1841, who speculated they were burial sites.[6][2]
In 1966, the mounds were designated a National Natural Landmark.[1][7]
Recreation
A short, ADA-accessible 0.5 mile paved trail leads to a small interpretive shelter and observation deck with view of the prairie.[5]
A longer, unpaved gravel 1.5 mile loop trail to the south explores the mounds with possible views of Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens.[8][9]
Butterflies
The preserve is host to wildflowers and many species of butterfly (some endangered), with activity between spring and early fall, mid-morning and mid-afternoon.[10]
- Common wood-nymph
- Coenonympha tullia
- Vanessa cardui (rare; migratory)
- Vanessa atalanta
- Lorquin's admiral
- Boloria epithore (late April-May)
- Speyeria zerene
- Euphydryas editha taylori (endangered[11])
- Polites mardon (endangered[12])
- Polites sonora (late May-August)
- Ochlodes sylvanoides
- Papilio zelicaon (May, July-August)
- Papilio eurymedon (April-October)
- Papilio rutulus
- Anthocharis sara
- Callophrys augustinus
- Callophrys polios
- Icaricia icarioides blackmorei
- Glaucopsyche lygdamus (March-June)
- Great spangled fritillary (early June-August)
- Holly blue
- Parnassius clodius
- Monarch butterfly (rare; not native to region)
Gallery
-
NPS plaque designating the landmark.
-
Trees and mounds in May 2023.
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Picnic area with view of mounds in March 2021.
-
Observation structure with information graphics.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve". Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ a b "Mima Mounds Illustrations". faculty.washington.edu. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve". Washington Department of Natural Resources. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
- ^ Kresge, Joanna (July 17, 2024). "Investigating the Mysterious Mima Mounds". SouthSoundMag.com. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ a b "Washington's Mysterious Mima Mounds — Pines and Vines". Pines and Vines. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "Mima Mounds: The Mysterious Work of Nature Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ Richard Seven (July 6, 2008), "Mima Mounds: Mystery hides in vast prairie", The Seattle Times, retrieved December 20, 2012
- ^ "Mima Mounds". Washington Trails Association. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve". Experience Olympia. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve butterfly guide" (PDF). Washington Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "Taylor's checkerspot | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife". wdfw.wa.gov. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "Mardon skipper | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife". wdfw.wa.gov. Retrieved June 16, 2025.