i parked at the civic center, which leads to the trail. the main trail is 1.5 miles down a gentle decline, eventually ending at the shores of puget sound. the journey is full of immersive natural beauty as well as interesting historical markers due to this location playing an important role in the history of the exploration of the coast of puget sound. the beach area was where a wharf used to be; used for the loading and shipping of dynamite made by the dupont company in the early 1900's. the trail down used to be the route that the "dynamite train" took. the trail back up is a pretty mild incline, the trail is mostly dirt and gravel w some muddy areas, ending on pavement at the top.
(i highly recommend doing some research online to gather some context in regards to what i write about below or before you go there...)
on your way down there are a number of unmarked side trails on the right side, all are worth checking out. using a gps map you can find a marker where the mission bldg was as well as a mention of a grand fourth of July party held there in 1841(read about this). there is still a small remnant of the prairie where the party was held, great place to contemplate that day/night or just to rest.
at the 1.25 mile marker there is a trail to the left, follow that down, to the right i believe was a power plant, but if you take the left trail you will go up a series of switchbacks (7 if i remember). the walk up can be tiring, i usually took a 5-10 second rest at ea switchback. poles comes in handy as well, and you have 2 fallen trees you need to get under. at the top, follow the gravel road to the right until you see a trail; to the left is wilkes trail and if you go straight you will find the marker for the wilkes observatory, and a bench to sit on! i did not walk the entire wilkes trail as i knew it ended up in a neighborhood, turned around right where the spit is, supposedly a shipwreck is there but i did not see it.
anyway i backtracked and went back on the gravel road; using an app i eventually located the old 1833 fort nisqually location. it was a long and rocky walk and i don't like to walk on rocks, they do better in my head. it is surrounded by a black chain link fence. this area is usually locked but when i went the gate was open and so i went in. like many places here at the top other than the golf course it was overgrown w weeds and the like, but i eventually found the marker, yay!
after the long slog back down to the sequalitchew trail and then up to the trailhead, i stayed to the left, and using the underpass crossed center street and to my right another black fenced in area, which was where the 1843 fort nisqually was. unfortunately this gate was locked, but i did see the white marker. i was told later by a volunteer at the dupont historical museum that the plaque was taken by someone so nothing is on the white marker. also highly recommended that you visit the museum, no admission charge!
all in all a great place to walk/hike and explore, and its historical importance really made me think about events and people from long ago. the history of the dupont company is also worth looking into...
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