Gazzam Lake Nature Preserve, Fort Ward Park — Saturday, Jun. 29, 2013

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area

We went on another island adventure today, exploring a couple of different areas of Bainbridge Island. We started early catching the ferry from Kingston and driving down to Bainbridge and arriving at the Deer Path Lane trailhead of Gazzam Lake Preserve at about 9am. Only one other car in this small parking lot that probably has room for 8 or so vehicles. We started on the main trail and followed it until it split and we took the Loop trail. This trail is fairly wide and flat and in great condition. The loop trail takes you past the lake and there are several small side trails that take you down to the lake but access is limited. Only one spot big enough to actually get into the water and too overgrown to really get a great view of the lake. After letting the dogs get wet to cool off we continued on until we met the Close Beach Trail and headed down it. This trail does get steep in places but you come to the shore and a secluded beach. It was a nice reprieve from the heat to be near the water, get wet, and rest up for the short but steep climb back up. We again met with the main trail and returned to our vehicles. This was a very pleasant hike on a very warm day. Very peaceful, quiet, uncrowded and unrushed. Just what an island hike should be like. After completing this hike, we drove ten minutes to Fort Ward State Park. From the parking lot there is a short, paved walk down to a picnic area. We ate some lunch and then wandered along the park. Again, a few people using the park, but no crowds at all for such a lovely day to be out on the beach. There appeared to be a swap meet of sorts happening on the island as we passed a lot of traffic and parked cars along streets when driving to our destination and many people walking with armloads of furniture and such. So maybe Bainbridge has other priorities on Saturdays. All in all, this was a laid back kind of day. Putting in a few miles in the woods and along the shore and enjoying the cool island sea breeze before returning through Winslow to get the Seattle Ferry home. A nice little loop.