It’s almost summer, the sun is returning, and the days are getting longer. There’s plenty of daylight for exploring the world-class trails of the Northwest, the beautiful vistas and valleys that make surviving a soggy spring worth it. It takes less than an hour to get to a good uphill slog or riverside ramble, so what are you waiting for? Dig out your boots—daylight’s burning.
After-Work Trails
Alki Beach
Length: 7 miles
15 MINUTES FROM SEATTLE
The view that launched a million postcards might be West Seattle’s most obvious calling card, but it competes with the simple charm of the urban shore. Start a ramble at Jack Block Park—drooling over the skyline on the way—then round the point at Anchor Park and make for the Alki Point lighthouse a mile and a half farther. Though swarmed on sunny afternoons, the wide concrete trail that separates street from sand clears out on cooler evenings.
Watch For A 1/18 replica of the Statue of Liberty, erected by Boy Scouts in 1952; it was replaced in 2008 after the original was battered by wind and water.
Getting There Take the West Seattle Bridge to the Harbor Ave exit, turning right onto Harbor Ave SW and parking on the street. Alternately, take the Elliott Bay Water Taxi to Seacrest Park or bus No. 37 to Harbor Ave SW & 30th Ave SW or bus No. 56 to 63rd Ave SW & Alki Ave SW.
Find It: Alki Beach
Lord Hill
Length 1 to 12 miles
50 MINUTES FROM SEATTLE
Named for an early settler (not the big guy in the sky), Lord Hill Regional Park is right in Everett’s backyard. This sprawling 1,500-acre wilderness on the Snohomish overflows with conifers, quiet trails, and frog-filled pools. Mix and match your route to fit any time window on more than 12 miles of well-maintained trails and old roads. Include Temple Lake Loop for quiet contemplation, hilly Pipeline if you have energy to burn, and the dams of Beaver Lake Loop to see wildlife.
Watch For An indistinct side trail off the main route near the Pipeline Trail junction that leads to a grassy bluff with sweeping views.
Getting There Follow SR 522 to Woodinville. Then take SR 9 north to Snohomish, exiting onto 2nd St. Head east 1 mile, turn right onto Lincoln Ave (Old Snohomish Monroe Rd), and after 2.7 miles turn right onto 127th Ave SE. The trailhead is in 1.6 miles.
Find It: Lord Hill
Grand Ridge
Length 3.3 miles
30 MINUTES FROM SEATTLE
This new 1,300-acre wilderness area is the remedy for Tiger Mountain fatigue. Located directly north of that popular peak, it feels impressively removed from the Sammamish and Issaquah neighborhoods bordering its western limits. Make the loop up the Grand Ridge’s grand southern face, or add a five-and-a-half-mile traverse of the ridge on the main thoroughfare.
Watch For A beautiful grove of mature western red cedars midridge.
Getting There Follow I-90 East to Exit 20. Turn left onto 270th Ave and look for the trailhead on the right.
Find It: Grand Ridge
Coal Creek
Length 6 miles
30 MINUTES FROM SEATTLE
Follow the small but mighty Coal Creek through a deep ravine, past old mine shafts, rail ties, and other coal-mining remnants from the late 1800s. Now reforested, Coal Creek Park is a rugged surprise among the suburban hills. The grade is relatively flat—more a place to stretch the legs than to tire yourself out after a day in the cubicle.
Watch For North Fork Falls, which plummets into a dank ravine just before the trail reaches the turnaround point.
Getting There Take Exit 10 off of I-405 and follow the Coal Creek Pkwy for about 1 mile to the trailhead.
Find It: Coal Creek
Gazzam Lake
Length 4 miles
50 MINUTES FROM SEATTLE
With big cedars, firs, and maples, this placid little lake is a wild enclave among the tony estates of Bainbridge Island. Amble through nearly 450 tranquil acres of mature forest, and keep your eyes peeled for deer, coyotes, owls, and even an occasional bear.
Watch For A half-mile spur leads to Close Beach, a spectacular stretch of undeveloped shoreline on the Port Orchard Narrows.
Getting There Ferry to Bainbridge Island, then turn left onto Winslow Way W. Take a right on Madison Ave N and left onto Wyatt Way NW. Turn left on Eagle Harbor Dr NE and bear right onto Bucklin Hill Rd NE. Continue on Blakely Ave NE. Turn right onto NE Baker Hill Rd and right onto gravel Deerpath Ln NE, which leads to the trailhead. Travel times vary due to ferries.
Find It: Gazzam Lake
Published: June 2011
trails
trails with a view
craig romano