16
3 photos

11 people found this report helpful

 

I arrived at 8:30 a.m., two hours after sunrise, with the temperature at about 50F.  My car was only the second one in the lot.  I walked the bluff trail and then zigzagged over most of the trails in the park, getting the odometer to 5 miles.  The trails were clear and damp but not muddy.

This park has the cleanest, nicest park bathroom I have ever been in.  Seriously.  Thank you to the park staff.

One excellent thing about this park is one can walk 1 mile or 6 miles without walking over the same trail twice, while never getting more than a half mile or so from the parking lot and the restrooms.

I saw 7 other people and 1 dog as I walked.  When I left there were 7 cars in the lot.

I rate the trails a difficulty of 2 on a 5-point scale.  The views from the bluff trail are nice views of the Sound.  All the other trails are through the trees.

1 photo
  • Fall foliage
  • Hiked with a dog
 

We had the place mostly to ourselves for most of the day. We walked almost every inch of this place. It was pretty awesome relaxing hiking around here

4 photos
ejain
WTA Member
Outstanding Trip Reporter
900

7 people found this report helpful

 

From the day use parking lot, we followed the Nature Walk, Bluff Trail, Trillium Trail, Big Trees Trail, Rhododendron Trail, Madrona Trail, and the Cemetery Trail to complete a clockwise-loop. Lots of interpretive signs, but no historical structures remain (apart from the WWII "torpedo tower").

Access. Paved road and parking lot.

Conditions. Trails were all in great condition, no obstacles, nice tread. Most junctions were signed, some even had paper maps available.

Flora & Fauna. Nice Douglas fir and redcedar forest, with some madrones and rhododendron, moss and ferns etc. Lots of (dried-out) ghost pipes.

Crowds. Plenty of space in the large day use parking area at noon. Encountered ~10 parties on the trails.

2 photos
  • Wildflowers blooming

11 people found this report helpful

 

Beautiful day for this hike/trail exploring. There are plenty of parking spots, clean facilities, and loads of picnic tables. What I kept thinking over and over was that " this is a very bright and well lit forest trail". The sun was illuminating through onto everything  which made me feel very safe , and I would recommend for families with small kids for that reason paired with the smooth trail conditions . There are placards along the trails identifying trees, plants. And Historical facts. There were fungi and wild flowers scattered about adding flashes of color. I really enjoied meandering on the trails, Trilium/fern garden/huckleberry/cemetary they all flow together nicely. Pleasant and easy to access . Recommended.  

3 photos
Dream Delay
WTA Member
400
  • Wildflowers blooming

7 people found this report helpful

 

Half day hike on Thursday May 7. The woods here are special. Started near the Friends Barn and headed south along the Bluff Trail. Parts of this section offer a lot of FT history on placards alongside. Interesting to learn about the Fort and the way of life of those who served there. 

From here followed the Trillium Trail heading west and connecting over to the Park Way Trail up to the Cemetary Trail to get to the former Military Cemetary Site. Then Cemetery Trail north and back to the parking near the ampitheater to complete a short loop. 

Saw 1 other hiker just before leaving, none on trail making it easy to practice distancing. 

A full restroom facility with handwashing was open and available.