We had never done this network of trails before and we were very much impressed. Beautiful old trees all mossed over and excelling in their green. Quite muddy but to be expected. We did a little over a mile and came back up to our car via the bridge.

We had never done this network of trails before and we were very much impressed. Beautiful old trees all mossed over and excelling in their green. Quite muddy but to be expected. We did a little over a mile and came back up to our car via the bridge.

Walked the Schmitz Preserve trails Sunday morning. We parked on Alki Ave SW right at 59th and it is an easy three block walk to the trailhead next to the Alki Community Center. After hitting all the Schmitz Preserve trails we extended the walk east along the water to the Don Armeni Boat Ramp and over to the Alki Point Lighthouse for a total of just about 7.7 miles. The Schmitz trails are nicely maintained - no issues other than some partially frozen mud. The ravine is surprisingly quiet - wilder than the similar sized Ravenna ravine. There really are a handful of trees big enough to be considered old growth, a few big doug fir and one impressive red cedar. Don't miss the "dragon" log on the northern trail. A quick shout out to "Nick" from Phoenix - stay warm my friend. It is easy to add additional mileage along the Alki Trail for some beautiful water and city views. Together they make a nice, close in walk to get your forest, water and view fixes all in one. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/schmitz-preserve-park

I have visited the preserve often in the last year and half, but haven't hiked most of it in about 6 months. It's one of my favorite quick places to escape. I'm starting to learn the fun spots, like the best babbling brook to have a picnic lunch, the "alligator" made out of wood, the geo-cache, etc. I have to admit,this tiny park's paths still confuse me... The park doesn't offer maps, (one giant faded unlabeled one at the entrance billboard where announcements appear to be outdated,)which is fine by me to save paper... but I'm never really sure if I covered the whole park unless I have my phone tracking it with me. Though the park has some unique small areas, every left and right looks the same. I was bummed I couldn't find the area where there was a little mini boardwalk over a babbling brook this time. Last year, someone had taken great care in making several signs: "A baby Salmon lives here, please watch your step..." This first thing I noticed was different about the this trip: someone tagged the tree at the beginning of the trail "Follow your own path." A great message...not sure how the tree felt about it. It appears to be a small new path, that leads under an arch of another tree. I followed it, lead down to the water, and also under the graffiti bridge. The trail, as is the park, continues to be really well kept, only found one piece of trash off to the side of the sand under the bridge. Second thing: At the spot where you have a choice of three paths (left, straight up- middle, right,) the path to the left is still blocked with trees... Is it supposed to be a trail? This year, I got farther through the "trail," as it appears others have begun to head that way clearing it, but ultimately, I ended up coming out through prickers because I didn't know where I was...only to realize I was near the entrance of the middle path that I passed earlier when I took the left instead. (Think it was the entrance near Beach Road? that heads to Cormorant Cove area?) It's on this middle path (which has a few stairs,) where I got a glimpse of the house of the wooden creatures (bears, eagle, Bigfoot statue) reside. It appears the children who live there or near made a really great fort, complete with a fake grass flooring! I am a big fan of this park. It's a hidden gem in West Seattle that lies on the route of bus 57, heading to Alki Beach. The terrain in this little gem is actually just as challenging, maybe more, in some ways than let's say...Tiger Mountain. It has fun spots, great rainforest and peacefully quiet, with beautiful places to sit your butt right in a babbling brook if you wanted. It's secluded enough, and yet a frequently visited spot for dog's taking their owners for a walk. I'd love to volunteer in this park, as I'm guessing by some other minor changes I observed, there hasn't been much help? I'd love to help with a few signs or named trails :/ It's unclear if anyone still meets on the last Saturday of each month.

Easy loop of the park. There are some wonderful old, tall trees here. The red cedar on a spur trail towards the southern end of the park is worth hunting for. Not many people out on this trail today. Parking on the street was easy.