Tag: hikes

A Weekend Hike: Mukilteo’s Japanese Gulch

Carl Setzer1 Comment

Yesterday we on a hike went with some friends at Mukilteo’s Japanese Gulch. We were looking for a a little less intense hike than the ones we’ve done this summer so far with a shorter drive. Just a few minutes from my place, with smooth trails, it fit the bill. 

Gaining its name from the workers who lived there in the early 1900s, Japanese Gulch’s 147 acres of land features a dog park, access to the Sound, and a community garden. After an attempt to develop the land as an industrial park in 2007, the community rose up and encouraged the City to acquire the land to preserve it. With many trails for all kinds of users (mountain bikers, hikers, dog walkers and families), it’s a fantastic asset to the community. 

We opted to walk the full length of the park, from the 76th Street trail-head all the way down to the Sound. Along the water I was able to check out the progress on the new ferry terminal. Coming along nicely, I look forward to seeing the final product in the fall of next year. 

Back in 2016, the City approved the Japanese Gulch Master Plan, to update and preserve the park. I just discovered the MukMaps Interactive Trail Map, which I want to experiment with soon. If you used this, let me know in the comments. I want to hear your thoughts. 

A few additional thoughts on the trails: there a wide range of trails and types. They vary in steepness and width. So most folks will find something of interest. Also, right now the trail is dry. However, come the fall rains, the trail gets wet, muddy and slick. Be prepared!

Lastly, some resources:

 

 

  • Welcome to Japanese Gulch
  • Views of the community garden
  • Views of the community garden
  • Views of the community garden
  • The new waterfront is under construction
  • Existing the park and walking towards the construction area
  • The construction zone
  • Train crossing
  • Waterfront walk
  • The Beach

Hiking Boulder Creek

Carl Setzer
Washington's Boulder Creek

We had a great hike yesterday up on Boulder River, just east of Oso. I have a terrible time calling it a river, but it’s nothing to minimize. Anyway, a good hike for families. We had two families with kids going from early elementary through middle school. Nobody had any problems, the kids had energy the entire hike. A few things to keep in mind. It is a popular hike. We got there in the late morning and were able to park pretty close to the trailhead. By the time we headed home in the early afternoon, people had  a bit of a hike before they started their hike. The trail got a bit crowded on our way out. We had a brief stop on the way out where we walked down to the riverside. I was a bit surprised at how many people were there. But, hey, it’s a lovely hike an easy drive from the greater Seattle area! There will be people.

We ended our day together stopping in Arlington at Whiskey Ridge Brewing. Hung out there chatting with Jack and Francine (the owners). Then we grabbed pizza from Pizza Factory for one kid, and the rest of us at from The Local Scoop. All in all, a pretty good day.