This trek is packed with history — from the Seaton Cabin Schoolhouse, to the Olmstead cabin, to learning about turn of the century farming practices and equipment. The area also functions as a 200-acre farm that produces wheat, oats, hay and is a working dairy farm. Eight buildings can be toured.

“Altapes” comes from a American Indian word that means “most beautiful creek in the valley.” The creek has waterfalls in the foothills, then winds across the valley, joining other mountain streams before reaching the Yakima River.

In 1875, Samuel and Sarah Olmstead crossed the Cascades on horseback with their young family. They were among the first homesteaders of the Kittitas Valley.

The creek provided trout and salmon to the settlers as well as a source of irrigation for their crops.

The Olmstead cabin, which can be toured on weekends, may seem small and rugged by today’s standards, but was big and comfortable in 1875. The cabin has many of its original furnishings.

The cabin was built of cottonwood logs from the Yakima River Canyon. Squared with broadaxes, the logs were dovetailed at the corners and held together with round pegs made from small tree limbs. The logs were cut at a local sawmill, while the windows came from The Dalles, Ore.

The Seaton Cabin Schoolhouse was built in the 1870s in a meadow several miles away from the Olmstead farm. The Olmstead children rode horseback to attend classes. The schoolhouse was moved to its present location in 1980. A glimpse inside provides a peek into the past.

Descedents of the Olmsteads built a grand house just north of the original cabin in 1908.

The five-bedroom house reflects the heritage of several generations that called it home over the 70-plus years it was occupied.

Besides the cabins, there is a large red barn surrounded by antique implements. Each implement has a plaque explaining what it is called as well as its purpose. There’s also an old garage, poultry and tool houses, a wagon shed, granary, milk house and dairy barn.

The Trek: This is a history lesson with a hike. After parking, head to the right of the Seaton Cabin Schoolhouse and toward a wooded area. Peeking out of the woods is the remains of a massive combine. The beastly machine was pulled by 32 horses.

Head back toward the schoolhouse. Be sure to pick up a trail brochure. The numbered posts along the trail coincide to information in the pamphlet. No. 10 in the pamphlet is the Seaton Cabin Schoolhouse.

The row of buildings to the east house antique farming equipment.

The trail follows Altapes Creek for practically the trail’s entire length. A mowed path, carved out of a massive hay field leads the way. Rusting plows and other old farm implements can be seen lying in the brush.

Along the way, learn about the importance of willows, why wild roses were important to American Indians and how farmers use ditches and dams.

This time of the year, the trail teems with grasshoppers. With each step, the trail seemed to erupt with life as the tiny creatures hopped and flew to safety.

The trail soon becomes a dirt road before returning once again to a mowed path. The creek has been high and signs of deep mud are plentiful. That mud now, however, has dried under the searing heat of the Eastern Washington sun.

Until now, the stream is heard, but not seen. Coming around a bend, the creek comes into view as the trail continues to skirt the hayfield. The canopy soon closes in. The shade it provides allows for a brief respite from the afternoon heat.

Beavers have been busy along the stream’s banks. Teeth marks are easily discernible on stumps and chiseled chunks of wood lie on the ground. A bench beckons those traipsing along to sit and watch the creek flows by.

At the next bend, the creek widens as it dumps into a deep pool after flowing under the outstretched limbs of a massive willow tree.

After passing a currant bush, reach another bench set along the creek. It’s a good spot to kick back and throw dirt clods into the rushing water.

A red osier dogwood shrub just across the creek boasts bark with a unique red color. The wood is tough and flexible, and was used by American Indians for bows and baskets. The “Y” shaped branches were used for cooking racks and kettle hangers.

After crossing a culvert, the trail bends sharply to the left, splitting the hayfield in half. Continue toward the red barn. The buildings to the right are the granary and wagon shed. Several wagons are still housed under the old roof along with a plow and horse-drawn potato picker.

The granary was built in 1892. When the farm made the move from cattle to dairy farming, the building was used as a creamery.

The Olmsteads sold their prize-winning butter at the Pike Place Market in Seattle.

Reaching the red barn, take time to peruse the old farm machinery to learn what a spring tooth harrow was used for as well as the difference between a sulky and a disk plow.

After increasing your knowledge of turn of the century farm implements, head toward the large house. Open the front door and look for a park interpreter to lead you through the rooms.

Depart the house and venture through the garden to the Olmstead Cabin.

If you’re lucky, you may encounter park volunteer Fern Mettler, who has been leading tours of the cabin for the past nine years.

A fantastic tour guide, Mettler has called the Kittitas Valley home since the early 1930s and has first-hand knowledge of many of the antiques found inside the structure.

“I love doing this,” said Mettler, who was dressed in period clothing. “I love people and I love to talk to people about the history of this place.”

After listening to Fern, head back through the extensive gardens, pick up the trail and return to the rig.

Distance: 1.5 miles

Destination: Olmstead Place

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: None

Getting there: From Interstate 90, take Exit 115 (signed to Kittitas). Drive on Main Street through Kittitas, then turn left on Patrick Avenue, which becomes Kittitas Highway at the city limits. In 2 1/2 miles, at an intersection with N. Ferguson Road, turn left. In a half-mile, reach the entrance to Olmstead Place State Park.