Trails for everyone, forever

Home Go Hiking Trip Reports Spencer Island

Trip Report

Spencer Island — Friday, Jan. 31, 2025

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
The truss bridge to Spencer Island (c) onehikeaweek

Disclaimers

Quick-and-dirty version

Access: 4th Street SE (area info)
Round Trip: 5.6 miles
Elevation Range: 0′-20′
Essential Gear: none
Dog-Friendly: yes

The Road

It's a 0.75-mile walk on the pavement to the bridge if starting from the main lot below Interstate 5. There is a dirt lot 0.25 miles ahead, with signs indicating no parking past that point.

The Trail

The loop trail had a missing link for 450–500 feet in the north end. So, from the trailhead past the bridge, one can go north for one mile until the path abruptly ends at the inlet of Union Slough.

We didn't take the north trail along the east edge by Steamboat Slough, since it looked incredibly brushy from the fork. But it could also be the rain that made us feel unmotivated to explore.

Our Route

  1. From the trailhead past the bridge, go north for one mile to the trail's end before turning around.
  2. Continue south past the trailhead to the fork in 800 feet and hike half a mile east across the island.
  3. On the east end by Steamboat Slough, go south and round the southern edge back to the trailhead in a little over one mile.

Highlights

  • A quiet stroll with wildlife (most waterfowl) sightings through the lower third of the island.

Lowlights

  • A brushy trail along the east rim, but wide enough to dodge the prickly blackberry vines.
End of the north trail by Union Slough (c) onehikeaweek
Half a mile trail crossing to the east of the island (c) onehikeaweek
Interpretive signage by the wooden bridge south of the trailhead (c) onehikeaweek
Did you find this trip report helpful?

Comments