Length
The trail starts as a wide, unpaved path that rises along (the unseen) Barnes Creek. In less than a quarter mile, the trail passes near the back yards of some houses. It then emerges to briefly follow the sidewalk along 15th Ave S, a quiet neighborhood street. There's a grassy area on the left; cross that and the trail picks up immediately behind the first house that you come to. For about 700 feet, the trail borders on the back fences of about a dozen homes.
Half a mile from the start, the trail makes a left turn and enters a small stand of trees. It emerges then on S 223rd St and from here you'll have to follow the county roads for 0.3 miles to pick the trail up again. Turn right on the paved sidewalk of S 223rd St and climb the hill to the east, then turn left on 16th Ave S. Two blocks north (there is no S 221st St), turn left on S 220th St and find the signed trail again just about 150 feet to the west.
Why the trail is discontinuous here isn't obvious, as there appears to be public land available for it. There might be one or more creek crossings required, and perhaps that explains why a trail hasn't been built through here.
Now about a mile from where you start, the trail crosses a nice bridge and then gains about 100 feet in elevation. The trail here is forest litter and wood chips. It was apparently underlaid with a fabric, but unfortunately that fabric is now exposed in many places. It's unsightly, but doesn't hinder walking. Finally, the trail reaches its end and a parking area at about 1.4 miles from the start, on S 216th St about 700 feet west of 20th Ave S.
From there, the trail continues north as a branch of the Des Moines Creek Trail. It's paved at first, then turns to dirt as it descends down to the creek. Turn right when you reach a tee, then shortly down some steps and across a bridge, and you've reached the main section of the Des Moines Creek Trail. This is about 0.4 miles from S 216th St, and 1.8 miles from from the beginning.
Trailhead
