Walked to the "big tree" at the end of this short but pretty trail, and back.

Road Conditions. The entrance felt a bit like residential road, and if you blink you'll miss it, but it is signed for the "Forest Theater". Followed further signage to the "Big Tree" trailhead at the end of the road. Plentiful parking. No public restrooms.

Trail Conditions. Well-maintained trail, no obstacles.

Highlights. Big trees, and not a single invasive species in sight. Trillium were just starting to bloom. Despite the "Rhododendron Preserve" name, only passed by a couple of rhododendron (and they won't be blooming anytime soon).

Crowds. Didn't see a single person.

Tried to find the big tree for the first time today in the snow...and failed. There is a bridge that is out of commission. We crossed the new bridge and walked a while and didn't find it. Beautiful hike though!

I grew up coming to Big Tree all the time when my family would come volunteer with the Mountaineer Players. The tree doesn't feel quite as big as it did when I was small, but it's still impressive! This is a nice little trail that was great for my 12 y/o nephew or would be a nice forest walk/leg stretch for those in the area. The trail is in good condition, not muddy or overgrown. Ferns and devil's club are in full splendor. Creek is running well right now and we saw a few salmon fry among the rocks.

13jun2022 MON morning, while driving on Seaback Hwy NW .. ~3 miles before reaching Newberry Hill Heritage Park, i saw the "Kitsap Theater" sign posted beside the road .. and it got me recalling the "Big Tree" of the Mountaineers Foundation (which may be "closeby"??).

i continued my drive to the NHHP South parking .. did the ramble .. got back to my vehicle, then did a search on Google-Map and found the information of the Big Tree at the Mountaineers Foundation location.

i then drove the ~3 miles to ~10:30 arrived at the Kitsap Theater parking. My GaiaGPS and Alltrails have no information of the Big Tree Trail. Luckily for me, at/near the parking area, there were a few signages showing the way to the Big Tree Trail, which i followed. However, after passing the Gate, i noticed there's no longer any sign for the Big Tree Trail, and i had to follow the boot-path .. walking "blind" .. ~0.3 mi .. cross the Wildcat Bridge, and ~0.5 miles to Big Tree.

Btw my Alltrails "died" - "GPS Signal Lost" after i first arrived at/near the Wildcat Bridge. Also, i was quite anxious during my Out because i have no map of the Trail, and i was just walking "blind" .. i kept telling myself, that i would turn-around if /when i should encounter any "obstacle" on the boot-path in that i was following. And to turn-around if i don't see/find the Big Tree after ~1 mile (from the Trailhead) .. 😅

Again, luckily for me .. just as i was losing hope of seeing/finding the Big Tree, i saw .. ~50 ft in front of me: 2 people sitting on a wood/log-bench beside a "Big Tree" .. i walked to them .. verified that "that's" the Big Tree .. A minute or 2 later, the 2 people kindly left me for my quiet time with the Big Tree .. thank U2 .. The Big Tree was a beauty .. i gave it a few hugs .. 😊😊

The Big Trail Trail was in reasonably good condition and seemed maintained. And it was a cool -50s_F ramble well-shaded by the trees.

Happy Trails Everyone! 😃

It is a beautiful hike! The trail was a little muddy in a couple places. If you have bad ankles or knees hike with care as there is a little elevation change and there are roots that stick out of the ground. The bridge is a little slanted over the stream, however it felt sturdy. The big tree was interested to look at. Standing at the base of the tree and looking up made me feel small.