Such a great kid friendly adventure day. Saw a troll which was fun. The lighthouse and mount rainier views were stunning. We even saw orcas while we were waiting for the Vashon ferry in west Seattle. Such a fun day. We were able to find a small little strip of beach and my kids played in the sand. Overall a very nice day. Would definitely come back!!

Little expedition from Seattle to find a troll, check out the lighthouse and show off the area to a friend in town. My wife did a little beach trail run (looping back and forth to make their miles) while the kid and I played trucks in the sand. Spotted one little seal head and a bevy of birds. The sunset from the ferry really wrapped up our day.

Pretty quiet parking and the bathrooms were Porto-loos (pretty clean w/ TP).

Hot tip for cold days: the Thriftway grocery on the way to/from the ferry has a coffee stand that serves hot cider

Short and sweet. Some mud as to be expected. Porta potties open and stocked. Pretty busy with cars and people on Friday. Beautiful day!

Decided to explore Vashon today. Nice to be on an island, everything feels different although looks the same as mainland. 

Point Robinson Park

Little park with one of those famous trolls and access to a beach with a lighthouse. Portable toilets available. Lowlands around the lighthouse were substantially flooded.

Maury Island Natural Area

Widespread network of trails without a single starting point. I explored one leading to high bluffs with panoramic views. Parking for all “trailheads” is along roadways. Portable toilets and area maps are available at trailheads. 

We did a Troll Trek! Saturday's weather was suspect enough that it was acceptable to spend the majority of the day in a car or on a ferry, so we aimed to visit all five trolls from Thomas Dambo in the Seattle area.

Frankie Feetsplinter - National Nordic Museum

He is the only troll in an urban environment, so it's not really a hike unless you're unable to find parking close by. Coming in from the eastside, we hit some gnarly rain but got a quick window to visit Frankie and snag some fortifying coffee before heading off into the wilds.

Bruun Idun - Lincoln Park

After driving through a storm cell that had all of West Seattle flooded, we parked on the Fauntleory side and started making our way through the forest paths and then down the hill to Coleman Pool. Bruun Idun's feet are visible from the pool building, and it looks like she is shyly standing off the path until you get closer. Her driftwood flute is really cool, and I especially loved her shell necklaces and bracelet. The maples leaves are coming down now and getting caught in her hair, making her look even prettier and ready for fall.

Oscar the Bird King - Point Robinson

We squeaked onto the Vashon ferry with moments to spare, and made it onto the island just in time for a sun break. Point Robinson is a bit off the beaten path, but the park is lovely. No passes required, and Oscar is close to the parking lot. Look for a closed gate flanked by two traffic cones in the NE corner of the parking lot and you're there. Oscar sits on his throne waiting to say hello to visitors. My favorite of the trolls and (IMO) the most dynamic. His amphitheater was flooded when we were there but it'll likely drain away once things dry up a bit. We also took the other trail to visit the lighthouse before making our way to the Southworth ferry.

Pia the Peacekeeper - Sakai Park

Sakai Park is a tiny little thing right across the street from Bainbridge High School. Parking is tight and there is only room for about five vehicles. We noticed most folks were parking in the school lot and then crossing the road. Pia is just beyond the parking lot, accessible via a new trail made with woodchips. She sits cross-legged, with enough room to cuddle with. Something I noticed with all the trolls is that their hair is so unique, and I think I like Pia's the best. I was also a fan of her necklace, the way the wood was shaped looks like a skull. We visited for a bit and then hopped in the car for our final ferry trek of the day. The weather was finally clearing and we had gorgeous blue skies for the crossing back to Seattle.

Jakob Two Trees - Rainier Trail

I had already visited Jakob a few times, so he was the only troll that did not require a little orienteering to locate. He is on the Rainier Trail in Issaquah, just a few steps beyond the community center and the dog park. He looks a bit smaller than the others because he's standing up, but I still like how interactive with the environment he is.

It was a tall order to see all five trolls on the same day, so maybe not the best idea to do if you're bringing younger kids along. We encountered all types of weather, and clocked over six hours of transit time with three ferry rides included. Overall, it was a great day and a wonderful adventure!