Took a nice mid-day stroll with the baby in hiking backpack and the pup. We meandered through the park for about an hour mostly covered by the shade from trees. Came across a handful of other dog walkers. There was also a group of kids playing laser tag in the picnic area and then the wooded area just above it. 

As is the case in most parks, people were letting their dogs run off leash in the "upper" part of the park where there are fields. (This is the section next to the high school). To avoid going by them twice, we headed out of the park via the paved ramp that takes you to the side parking lot on 25th. There were 2 cars parked in this lot and one had the back car door completely open with no one around. We entered the park again via the trail from the lot. 

As the trail description states, the trails have no names. There are some of those white posts with arrows that I found helpful in following but I'd say it's not that hard to get lost unless you easily get disoriented and do not know which direction you are headed when you make turns. I've been to Hamlin before but it was my first time exploring the trails in the northern area of the park. 

We usually see lots of rabbits when we come here but alas, none spotted today. 

Quick walk around the Hamlin and Southwoods parks trails in a big, messy loop Sunday morning in the fog.  Also took a detour through the public part of the Fircrest facility to see the historic Navy chapel on the premises.  Parking is easy and free at both Hamlin and the “eastside dog park” off NE 150th.  Restrooms were open at Hamlin and there is a single functional sanican at the dog park.  Do note - the entire Fircrest property is run by DSHS and does currently have a mask mandate even outdoors if you decide to walk that bit.  Though there is some blowdown from our recent storms all the trails at Hamlin and Southwoods were in good shape with nothing blocking.  

Not much wildlife out this morning, some flicker, sparrow, gulls and one large raven that flew over a couple times calling >grok, grok<.  However, the area is full of history, much of it related to the Navy.  The gun barrels statically mounted at Hamlin came off the protected cruiser USS Boston and fired the first shot in the first large naval skirmish of the Spanish/American war at Manila.  The entire area was Navy hospital during WWII.  Tucked into the woods in the northern part of the property is the relatively small but beautiful Tudor Revival Navy chapel..  Note it is kept operational for the residents of Fircrest and not public but you can still view the outside.

More info about the Navy chapel - https://mynorthwest.com/3241544/world-war-ii-navy-chapel-shoreline/

More info about the USS Boston - 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFUNWsBLjmo&t=103s

More info about the naval hospital and Fircrest - https://www.shorelineareanews.com/2015/07/historylink-seattle-naval-hospital-to.html

With a quick weather change and rain break, we got in a quick urban hike close to our house. Trails are soft but not too muddy. Lots of people (most with masks) and canines out enjoying the fortunate rain break.

The woods here are very pretty and there are still interesting mushrooms to find. Kids enjoyed finding a couple painted rocks and previously made forts.

Living nearby I have been to this park but never did much of the wooded trail. I underestimated it. Very pretty with towering trees and an abundance of mushrooms.

This is a great urban hike for weekdays.

Great little "hike" if your short on time.  Dog friendly, trail in good condition and easy to social distance, good for trail running.

Theres plenty of side trails everywhere, kind of unclear which is the main trail, but the area is not so big that you could ever really get lost.  What a nice park