Accessible Trails in the Olympic Peninsula Area of Washington State

Hood Canal

Seal Rock Campground Interpretive Trail

Directions:
2 miles north of Brinnon on Highway 101

Features:
Seal Rock Campground has approximately a half-mile of beach on the Hood Canal where you can harvest oysters and clams in season and observe sea mammals and sea birds. Eagles are often seen at Seal Rock's intertidal areas. Firs, cedars and hemlocks tower above various berry and other bushes, all waiting to be explored up close, but watch out for poison oak.

A paved, barrier-free, half-mile interpretive forest trail called "Yesterday and Today" begins at the parking lot. This loop has a couple of 9 % grades that may require assistance for some wheelchair users.

Another paved, accessible half-mile trail called the Marine interpretive trail starts along the camp road from the day-use parking lot. It changes to a boardwalk trail and threads through the trees along the short bluff at the beach's edge offering views of the Hood Canal. Midpoint, a viewpoint with a bench is directly accessible from the road in the campground.

Other Info:
Seal Rock has 42 campsites scattered among the trees at the water's edge, with capacity for large RVs in the pull-thru sites near the bluff (see campground map). Picnic tables and fire rings are provided. Accessible restrooms, drinking water, flush toilets, a picnic area, and a public telephone are available. Pets must be on leash.

Trip Notes:

July 2002 - I'm so glad I stopped off at this site on my way down Hwy 101. It definately was worth it, even though the trails are short. I took my Hurricane scooter on both of the half-mile trails. I especially enjoyed the trail along the bluff and the views of the Hood Canal. Campers have the option of camping in the tall trees or on the loop at the edge of the bluff. I will definately return with our RV and camp here (even though I am not fond of oysters). Although they say the trail is accessible to the beach, it is rocky and would be difficult to walk on and impossible with a wheelchair or scooter. I'll enjoy it from the bluff and leave the oysters for someone else.

Hamma Hamma Living Legacy Interpretive Trail

Directions:
14 miles north on Hwy. 101 from Hoodsport. From Hamma Hamma Recreation Area sign (Forest Rt. 25) on HWY 101 turn west onto Hamma Hamma River Rd (FS Rd #25). Drive 6 miles to the entrance of Hamma Hamma Campground on the left side of the road. NOTE: Most of Forest Rt. 25 is paved, single lane with turnouts.

Features:
The Living Legacy Trail begins at Hamma Hamma Campground and makes a 1.2 mile loop up the hill, past the historic guard station built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Signs depict the early CCC history of the area. The first quarter mile of the trail is accessible and has an easy difficulty rating and a maximum grade of five percent. The trail surface is gravel. The remaining one and a quarter miles have a difficulty level of most difficult due to narrow tread, steps, and 12% grades. A bench at the end of the easy section offers a nice spot to view the river.

Other Info:
The Hamma Hamma campground offers 15 sites on the banks of the Hamma Hamma River. Hiking, mountain climbing, fishing, and river walks are available in the area. The campground is open May 1 through September 30 and has $10 fee for overnight use. The sites will accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. (dry camping) Well water, tables, fire rings, a paved road, and vault toilets are all available. Pack out garbage as there is no regular garbage service.
Open. Campground is pack it in, pack it out. Campground is heavily wooded in moss-covered pine and Big-Leaf Maples. It is adjacent to Hamma Hamma River; some sites overlook the river.

RV Pull Throughs: 1; Average Parking Apron Size: 19' X 62' (gravel and dirt). There is waste station at Potlatch State Park, about 7 miles south of Hoodsport, WA on US Rt. 101 - $3 fee. Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout can be caught in the river.

Staircase Rapids Loop Trail (ONP)

Directions:
Take U.S. Highway 101 to Hoodsport and turn off onto Lake Cushman Road. Pass Lake Cushman State Park and drive to the end of the road, where there's a junction. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 24 and drive 6.6 miles to the Staircase Ranger Station and trailhead parking.

Features:
A .5 mile portion of the Staircase Rapids 2 mile (roundtrip) trail is wheelchair accessible with assistance. The trails provide access to heavy lush virgin forest and views of the Skokomish River with many stretches of small rapids and boulders. In the spring, forest wildflowers abound including Trillium and Calypso Orchids. Harlequin ducks are often visible from the campground located about a mile from the trailhead on the Staircase Rapids trail.

The accessible part of the trail begins at an elevation of 800 feet across the river from the Staircase Ranger Station. The trail crosses a clearing and comes to a side path that leads to a giant 800 year old cedar tree which fell in 1988 during heavy rains. Even so, the tree is impressive with a diameter of 14 feet. Then the trail emerges on the banks of the Skokomish, at the beginning of the side paths that lead to scenic vistas.

At about one mile a bridge crossed the river and provided the opportunity to return via the other side of the river. Unfortunately, the bridge collapsed due to heavy snowfall and is currently out of service (Aug 2002).

However, the bridge is a perfect destination. Here the water flows over low terraces with many huge, moss covered boulders with pools for catch and release fishing and picnicing.

Other Info:

Accessible restrooms located in loop A. Sites are not paved, but there are table extensions.

Shady Lane Nature Trail (ONP)

Features:
Trail begins across the bridge from the Staircase Ranger Station. Three miles round trip. The first .25 miles of the trail are gravel and accessible with assistance.

Other Info:
A wheelchair is available for checkout at the ranger station.

Theler Wetlands

Directions:
The Theler Wetlands are located on the south side of Belfair approximately 13 miles southeast of Bremerton on Highway 3. Look for the Mary E. Theler Community Center across from Belfair Elementary School. The trailhead is behind the center with several designated parking spaces.

Features:
The Theler Wetlands are part of the innermost waters of Puget Sound's Hood Canal where it meets the Union River, offering diversified wetland habitats ranging from freshwater alder/cedar swamp to saltwater marsh. This award-winning area is one of the largest wetlands in the state. More than 135 acres, the wetlands offer four accessible trail sections named for the ecosystems that they wind through: the Alder/Cedar Swamp trail, Union River Dike trail, Sweetwater Creek trail, and South Tidal Marsh trail. Throughout the trail system, there are places to sit where you can rest and view waterfowl in the marsh habitat or enjoy the canopy of the forest.

The 3.5 miles of barrier free trails, surfaced by crushed rock or wooden boardwalk, are essentially flat. There is only a single, gently sloped hill at the beginning of the trail.

After going through the metal gate, head down the forested slope to the Exhibit Center, open Wednesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It MAY be open other days, if volunteer staff are available.

From the Exhibit Center, either take the short looped Alder/Cedar Swamp trail or the River Estuary trail. The beginning of the River Estuary trail takes you to a fork in the trail and your first views of the saltwater marsh with the deeper water of Hood Canal in the distance. Turn left to continue the River Estuary Trail. (Alternatively, go straight to pick up the Alder/Cedar Creek Swamp loop.)

The Sweetwater Creek section of the River Estuary trail passes through freshwater marshes on the right and esturarian saltwater marshes on the left.

The trail continues along farmland on the right.

On the left are views of the estuary where it meets the Union River. From here you can observe the interplay of the tides in the saltwater marsh. In these photos there was a low tide.

At about 1mile, there is an ADA vault toilet, picnic tables, and an overlook of the Union River.

The trail continues for a short distance into the woods along the river until it deadends. At that point, turn back a retrace your steps.

On the way back to the Exhibit Center, take the short Alder/Cedar Swamp trail. This is primarily a boardwark through swamp and forest.

Other Info:
Needless to say, this is a great bird watching area, and if you are lucky you might spot a muskrat, weasel, red fox or river otter. The Theler Wetlands Exhibit Center and their website offers more information, including a list of flora and fauna and a trail map.

Because Theler Wetlands is a designated wildlife sanctuary, pets are not allowed on the trails. Also no bikes.

The Belfair Cafe is known to have great food.

Camping: Belfair State Park is nearby and a good campground. They have full hookups for RVs and some of the sites are right on the edge of the Hood Canal (T20-T30). If you have a view from the rear of your trailer/RV, you might consider T32. Not only does it have the water view from the rear, but is adjacent to a grassy field and is quite nice. All of these spots are full sun. There are other nice campgrounds in the area. Scenic Beach State Park is located nine miles southwest of Silverdale. From Hwy. 3 in Silverdale drive to Newberry Hill Rd. Turn right on Seabeck Hwy. Drive six miles, and turn right on Scenic Beach Rd. Drive one mile to park.
The park has 1,500 feet of saltwater beachfront on Hood Canal with views of the Olympic Mountains. Known for its wild rhododendrons, accessible paths lead to a country garden, gazebo, rustic bridge and large trees. A wide variety of birds and wildlife call the area home.

Trip Notes:

August 29 , 2007 - I took this trail on a clear, hot August day - great weather for my scooter, but not a good representative of wetlands weather. Although the rules say, "no dogs" I took my dog, Daks, and we did not get any hard looks or comments until I went to the Exhibit Center. I explained that he was a service dog, pointed to his cape and that was that. Most of the time Daks rode on the scooter with me as to not disturb the wildlife. A number of Blue Herons were on the river along with a variety of other waterfowl wading through the low tide.

I really enjoyed the trail. What a wonderful place for the locals to retreat to a quiet place in an increasingly crowded, urban area. I will most certainly return again, especially during the spring and fall migrations.

Clear Creek Trail

Directions:
The Clear Creek trail is an urban trail running through the city of Silverdale along the Clear Creek drainage area. Thus, you can access the trail at a variety of intersections and parking lots. The Gateway Rotary Park trailhead has an ADA vault restroom and designated parking so it is a good starting point. The trail access begins with a hill, but the remainder of the trail is flat. To reach the Gateway Rotary Park from Highway 3, take the Highway 303 exit and almost immediately take the Silverdale Way NE exit . Head north a bit on Silverdale Way NE and the Gateway Rotary Park is on the left.

An alternative starting option is behind the All Star Lanes, a bowling alley at 10710 Silverdale, Way NW near the Kitsap Mall, but the trail from this point requires crossing busy roads either way at crosswalks.To reach this trailhead from Highway 3 take the Kitsap Mall Bvld exit and turn north on Silverdale Way NW.

Features:
The Clear Creek TasK Force has not rated this trail as complying with ADA requirements on their website or brochure, nor have they responded to my inquiries effective August 2007. However, taking this trail on my mobility scooter, I had no problems on the sections I went on, and it is apparent that the developers made an effort to make it accessible. It is predominantly a dirt/graveled path except for the section from Gateway Rotary Park north to NW Trigger Avenue, which is a wide paved trail. From the All Star Lanes north I found two areas where some wheelchair users may require assistance when crossing: 1) Heading north on the trail from the bowling lanes just before you cross under the Highway 303 interchange, there is a 20 foot sloped section that may be more than 2% and thus create a problem for some. 2) The paved path down to the road from the Gateway Rotary Park is rather steep and may require assistance for some.

The section between the bowling alley and the Highway 303 interchange is mostly boarded walkway, as this part of the creek occasional overflows. It is densely vegetated in a forested wetland. However, the noisy traffic reminds you that you are near the pulse of the city of Silverdale. There are periodic places to sit and picnic tables in small alcoves. A bridge over the creek allows you to loop back on the east side of the creek to the street south of the bowling lanes. This section makes a nice neighborhood get-away or an alternative transportation cooridor.

The trail becomes more rural as you head north of Highway 303. If you start your trip at the Gateway Rotary Park, head down the paved trail to a road. Turn south and follow the trail along the road until you reach the signage that picks up the trail again from the Highway 303 interchange. This part of the trail is a 1.4 mile wide, paved trail all the way to NW Trigger Avenue.

For those that can handle a dirt/graveled path, a wonderful side loop off this section takes you through wetlands and farmland. The trail is flat, compressed gravel heading north and boardwalk on much of the return.

Other Info:
Click here to access the Clear Creek trail brochure with map and points of interest.

Trip Notes:

August 29 , 2007 - My first attempt at exploring this urban trail system was limited to the upper half of the trail. I attempted to find access points to the lower half, especially the trail along Dyes Inlet, but was dissuaded by the traffic in that area. Not being a local, I had no idea where to go. At some point, I will return to explore the lower half. Hopefully, the Clear Creek Task force will make their website and brochure more user-friendly. Although their historical and conservation information is interesting, it would also be helpful to show access points with parking details, including information on accessiblity.

I did enjoy the upper half, especially the paved section off of Gateway Rotary Park. The trail initially drops down an inclined path to Schold Road NW. Turn left on the road and the trail follows alongside the road for a short distance before heading north on the wide path off the road. If you don't want to deal with the incline at Gateway Rotary Park, there is parking at the end of this road, next to the trail. Heading north, I took my scooter off the paved section to the wetlands loop with open views of the Clear Creek valley. Instead of completing the loop and heading back on the same route, I took a short access trail to Schold Road NW and headed down the quiet road back to the Gateway Rotary Park.

Bloedel Reserve - Bainbridge Island

Directions:
Bloedel Reserve is located at 7571 NE Dolphin Drive, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. Bainbridge Island is reached from the Olympic Peninsula via the Agate Pass Bridge.

Features:
The Reserve comprises approximately 150 acres blessed by the mild, moist climate of Puget Sound. About 84 acres are second growth forest. The remainder are altered landscapes, including various gardens, ponds and meadows.

Enjoy nature through quiet walks in the gardens and woodlands. Allow about two hours for your visit. Rhododendrons thrive here under the protection of second-growth timber. When they are blooming, in late spring and early summer, the area is unsurpassed.

Other Info:
Reservations are required to tour the Reserve (206) 842-7631. The Reserve is open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays, except federal holidays, from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Admission fees. No food service, picnicking, or pets permitted. Vehicles with pets inside will not be permitted to park within the Reserve. Tour guides are available for groups with prior arrangement. Accessibility accommodations provided upon request.

Symbols

	An agency or a trip evaluation has rated all or part of the trail as wheelchair accessible.
	There is some terrain greater than a 5% grade. A wheelchair user may require assistance on portions of this trail. Suitable for power mobility devices.
	No Dogs are allowed on the trail.

Home Page - Main Index

Accessible Trails on the Olympic Peninsula