Carkeek Park — Friday, Feb. 28, 2014

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area

I ventured into Carkeek park on a cold, grey winter Saturday that threatened to rain. I first stopped at the Visitor Center to get a map of the area (Tip#1), and then parked at the North Parking area, which was full of families on the play field. I took the North Bluff trail towards the viewpoint (moderate hike up). There are various stop areas with benches that look out to the sound. There are also many, many joggers and hikers with dogs, so be prepared to give them right of way. Take the Grand Fir trail to return to the parking lot. By that time, it had started to rain a bit harder, so I drove to the South roundabout. (Tip#2:) By the way, all the other parking lots were packed while the roundabout was empty and it’s almost equidistant from both the North and the South bluff trails. Also, (Tip#3) the park has many trail, so use your map--which shows numbered trail signpost. I took the Clay Pit trail (moderate hike) and then the South Ridge trail all the way to the Metro plant, the Hillside trail and back to the roundabout, with a final visit to the Wetlands. Overall, the trail took 2-3 hrs. I will definitely be coming back to the see the salmon!