We arrived at the Cemetery TH around 10 am today and there were still parking spots available in this small lot.   We trekked around the preserve, logging about 7 mi.  We did several loops including Borrow Pit, Forestry and Field View.  The trails are in great shape but very dry to the point of being dusty in a number of areas.  Trails meander up and down gentle slopes in this quiet and lovely forest.  There were maps at the TH that we found very useful in navigating the trail system.   There is trail signage in some areas, but not all, so using a map was a must for us.  We heard a lot of birds throughout our hike, although we couldn't see them hidden in the dense woods.  This is a very pleasant, easy trail system in beautiful, serene forest land.  We didn't encounter many other hikers, but we did see two horses, always a treat.

Went for an easy walk with the family on Vashon Island. The trail was level and wooded. In the cloudy afternoon, few people were out hiking. One fascinating find was a melon-sized paper wasp nest lying flat on the ground. It must have fallen out of a tree. Tread carefully, friends!

Easy, relaxing trail with lots of ocean spray, foxglove, and some dogwood in bloom. Salmon berries abound. Horse poop on trail but easily passed. Lot of ants on the trail but theytpose zero issues.

Sharp right from 188th entrance trailhead will put you on a quick path to beautiful and secluded pond views with ducks and dragonflies. Swallowtail and other butterflies flutter in the sunny breaks and meadows.

Vashon Island offers so many great parks and nature trails we had a lot of run exploring as many as we could in our 3-day weekend visiting at the end of April. Here are some specifics: 

Island Center Forest
10 miles of trails in the center of Vashon, accessible near the town center
Almost killed a raccoon driving to one of the entry points
The second day we entered at the south of the forest by the Vashon cemetery
Some of the trails close to the creek were closed, likely due to flooding
Grinder trail is a great trail for running because of its length and steady incline
If you’re looking for a varied trail system to keep you busy for the better part of an afternoon, Island Center Forest offers up 10 miles of trails to explore. They’ve even got a trail for runners with a serious incline called Grinder Trail. These trails are also used by equestrians.

Beautiful and beachy with 10 acres of shoreline to traverse, Point Robinson Park & Lighthouse offers amazing views of the Sound to the east.

Maury Island Marine Park, one of my favorites, sits at the southeast corner of the island and boasts beautiful views of Mount Rainier on clear days. The trail starts at low elevation close to sea level and winds back and forth for a couple of miles up to a wooden lookout of the Sound. Near the top, before the lookout, is a neat little part of the trail called the Forest Loop and I highly recommend it. We saw many wildflowers, birds, and a salamander here!

Burton Acres Park and Jensen Point are on the western side of the island and you’ll get nice views of the neighboring Olympic Peninsula. There is a boathouse here and if you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of rowers on their sculling boat in the early morning.

I definitely recommend visiting Vashon and these parks specifically!