Marine View Park

A short distance from the trailhead, you have options. To the left is the fast way down to the beach, on hard-packed dirt then asphalt (a maintenance access road). Beside the road are alder, cottonwood, maple, madrona, blackberries, some ferns and salal, and a LOT of invasive ivy. Even though it is paved, the path is too steep to be considered wheelchair-friendly.

Avoid the paved section in icy conditions. The alternative is to head right from the parking lot toward a plateau with a bench, picnic table, and view overlooking Puget Sound. Off to the right of that is a trail. Follow signs on the trail network "To Beach." 

The paved section and the “primitive trail” network meet near the top of a wooden staircase, where garbage and recycle bins have been thoughtfully provided. The continuation of the hike is down a short wooden staircase, then along a wooden walkway that connects to an impressive three-story folded staircase structure. Read the interpretive signage, then drop down the flights of stairs to the beach.

Beach walking is usually on cobbles. Watch your step. At lower tides, you can walk below the cobbles on coarse sand and seaweed, but take care not to disturb clam beds. The strip of public beach is 0.2 mile long. Boundaries are clearly marked by signed posts. There are plenty of beached logs to sit on. Did you bring a book to read? If not, just enjoy the ambiance. On a clear day, Mount Rainier dominates the southern horizon, and the majestic Olympic Mountains fan out above Vashon Island to the northwest.

WTA Pro Tip: There is no water on this hike, so be sure to bring enough water with you. In good weather, a popular plan is to take the pavement on the way down (0.4 mile), and the trail system on the way up (0.5 mile or more; explore the different view overlooks!). Both have benches, but the primitive trails offer shade and better views.