Saunter out on this small peninsula for stunning views of Mount Rainier rising over Puget Sound. Let eagles and kingfishers announce your passing. Admire contorted bluffs, big Doug-firs, and a procession of passing watercraft.

One of the prettiest state parks on Puget Sound, this old estate-turned-park draws visitors mostly for its lovely beaches, campsites, and grassy shore-abutting picnic grounds. But there are a couple of miles of nice hiking trails here too. They wind through mature woodlands, along a mountain-reflecting coastline and over a quiet hillside.

Located on the Key Peninsula, a subpeninsula of the Kitsap Peninsula, Penrose Point is a little off the beaten path. And the paths through the park aren't well beaten either, but they're well defined and well maintained. Start your hike at the main trailhead signed as Junction A. You'll be returning here via a circuitous route.

Through a forest of maples and alders the trail climbs slightly on a bluff above Mayo Cove. Go left at Junction B and in 0.25 mile arrive at Junction C. Turn left here for a trip around Penrose Point. Amble under a canopy of massive Doug-firs and flaky rusted-bark madronas. Views are limited, but in 0.75 mile you'll come to another junction-you guessed it, D. Take the short spur that heads south to a beach. Wham! There's Mount Rainier staring right at you from across Delano Bay. Framing the bay is Fox Island to the southeast and Anderson Island to the southwest.

Retrace back to Junction D and then head west along a nice shoreline trail. After about a third of a mile you'll arrive at Junction E. Turn left for a little climb over a quiet wooded knoll, pass a water tower, and then start to descend. At Junction F turn right and proceed under big maples to Junction H (what happened to G?). Turn right and after about 0.25 mile you'll reach Junction A to close the loop. You've now lettered in hiking!