Caution vehicle are not safe at this trail.

Caution Someone discharging firearms, shooting trail signage.

Not worth the hassle.

Hiked Swan Creek on Friday the 22nd and again on Sunday the 24th but found someone had been shooting in the area, target shooting the trail signage. I love this hike but will no longer go there because of the car break in's in the lower and upper parking lots.

Not worth the hassle.

Caution

Car break in's in the lower parking lot happen almost daily.

My G/F and I did the 5 mile loop and it was great. Only seen 2 others hiking during the day time but as soon as school was out there were 6 to 7 people just starting a hike when we finished.

Watch out for washouts along the trail and dry loose soil.

Our first time there. Wish I would have followed another reviewer's advice to park on 56th St. We parked off Willard/Pioneer but then you have to hike the whole way back. The path is very narrow and has a steep ledge for about 90% of it. I took my 5 1/2 yr old & it was a bit scary with all of the steep up & down parts. He dropped his water down a hill & drank all mine so we found ourselves without water about half way to the other side of the trail. Hikers told us the end was near & there would be a park close to the school so we kept going to find water. The path split off in a few directions & we got lost trying to find it as the signs there are very confusing. We ended up coming out behind some project houses off 56th St. It was a sketchy area. We walked to the school nearby and found out from GPS it was going to be over an hour walk back to the car. We asked at least 4 people if they could give us a quick ride (9 mins) and no one would help. We eventually found our way back to the trail & car but it was an exhausting day. My tips: don't recommend bringing small children, park off 56th St (even though it's a bad area, you can do a figure 8 to get back to your car faster) , don't drop your water bottle! 

I would follow 56th street east to the very end . Once there take the trail that goes to the right,  stay right until you see stairs and take those down. After that just fallow  the trail . You can either loop around or go down to the park and back. If you're looking for a good urban hike that's not mind numbing easy give it a try a lot of up downs , good scenery and I had a lot of fun .

If you are in the Tacoma/Puyallup/Fife area, this is a great short hike to just get out of the house.  Arrived at the trailhead on Pioneer about 5:30 ish.  About 6 cars in the parking lot.  They are doing some type of construction here at the bottom, so may be limited access until after 5:30.  Looks like they graded the trail/access to the little bridge.  Trail is very clearly marked and easy to follow.  Trail is well traveled and dry, so the up/down parts can feel a little slick if you are just wearing tennis shoes.  Water in the creek flowing down to the pond that you can hear for most of the hike.  Hiked up to the mountain bike area at the top and then hiked the rim on the return.  Four access points marked on trail maps on the trail to switch from the Swan Creek Trail to the upper rim.  Couple spots where the trail branches off, not easily marked which way to go.  Everything is very green on the trail, narrow in some spots due to foliage.  There is an area where the trail clearly washed out, but has been repaired and is passable.  Again, great hike to just get away for a little.  

On a side note, I've always parked at the lower, Pioneer/Waller trailhead.  The upper trailed head, the one by the First Creek Middle School, is at a dead end street with apartments to one side.  The lower trailhead seems to be the lesser of two evils, however, I have seen evidence of homeless folks staying in/around the lower trailhead area.  Be safe!

Also, hiked this when it was 85+ degrees out, the trail is entirely in the trees and shaded.  Couple of spots on the upper rim, depending on time of day, will be full on sun.