This hike wasn't so much a hike as it was a vigorous walk and playtime at the water. We were short on time and thus picked something local to see what we could see. It was still a nice walk and we managed to add in a bit of jogging too to keep things interesting and challenging.
I still enjoyed it very much and would DEFINITELY return! Especially with kids or with a little one in a stroller. It's not so long, and it has the reward of sand and water at the end to encourage kids to go with you to the end. And lots of driftwood!
If you're not familiar with the area, anything coastal has to be reached by first going down some steep hills and bluffs. This is not the flat rolling dunes of the Florida or Connecticut landscape like I'm used to. This is more like Maine coastline. Steep steep steep until you hit water. Even in the bay. And that's kind of what you get with this walk.
You start off in the parking lot before the steep part. It's decently sized though I would imagine parking would be incredibly difficult to obtain during the summer months. Thankfully for Eric and I, it's within feasible biking distance. Huzzah!
The trail is nice and wide, and well maintained. Most of my pictures are of on the way back up because I basically jogged down. The time for stopping and enjoying the scenery was reserved for the return trip.
The trail is basically a series of switchbacks with some pseudo stairs and it follows a stream down to the sound. The stream is used by salmon and there are a few educational and interpretive signs at the bottom near the ranger cabin. According to the guidebook, this is also a handicap accessible trail, at least the bottom portion is, and those with the handicap tag/sticker can actually take an access road down to the flat portion.
The trail splits and goes round a wide grassy area with a few pavilions, volleyball courts and public restrooms. Then, the only thing standing between you and the beach is a tunnel under the train tracks that run up the coast. We reached the bottom just as a train was passing.
You can see the tunnel under the tracks! This is the same tunnel that allows the stream access to the water and I found that REALLY nifty as I've never seen a stream meet ocean via beach.
The park has made it so that you walk above the stream and from what I understand, they will close access to the beach if the waters swell the banks.
It does require a bit of a hop and skip to access the beach past the pedestrian walkway but nothing too hard.
And then... ta da! Stream meets ocean water! Absolutely fascinating to see! Like a river delta in miniature!
There was driftwood spread across the beach, but no marine mammals. I plan to return just on the off chance that I get to see them in the wild!
Definitely not Florida beach!
Then we had fun playing with the sports setting... my husband is a goofball.
This is one of my favorite shots of myself!
The tunnel going back.
And getting all artsy with the shots.
Eric was a good sport.
You can see how the stream just goes right under the boardwalk.
Rocks!
One of the picnic pavilions. Of course as we started our return, it began to rain...
You can see how well tended the trail is.
Ferns.
I'm curious to see how the place changes in the summer months!
This park also captures a soft spot in my heart because it had -labels- for some of the trees. I've been meaning to really get out and learn the new native plants around me and this was a great opportunity. So I'm going to share it all with you!
There was a point where the trail washed out but there was already a new walk around in place.
New label!
All in all, a great quick hike and a definite return tripper. But so far I think Eric and I are of the opinion that we want to experience all of these hikes during all of the seasons. I don't know when we'll have the time, but eventually... it will happen!
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