Chimacum Ridge Community Forest is a 917-acre property of Jefferson Land Trust. It's managed for watershed protection, ecological values, education, recreation, and sustainable forestry. It has about 5 miles of trail, which includes some old logging roads. Most of the trails are open to bikes, horses, and hikers, but some are hiker-only. Dogs on leash are allowed.
It's located at 1717 Center Rd, Chimacum WA, two miles south of the Chimacum Corner Store. There's a toilet at the trailhead parking area. A short walk north from the trailhead is a timber-frame education pavilion, built with wood harvested from the surrounding forest.
South of the trailhead is a wide, well-graded gravel trail that, in .6 miles, takes you to the top of the ridge. There are several benches along the way. It's not a big climb, only a 200 foot gain from the trailhead to the top. From there, a logging road loops 3 miles around the top of the ridge. At the north end of the loop, a .8 mile spur road goes north to a nice viewpoint with a bench overlooking Center Valley. On the way there is a viewpoint to the east toward the North Cascades.
Returning to the loop road, a .5-mile hiker-only trail drops down the west side of the ridge, returning you to the pavilion and trailhead.
I followed this route on a misty October day. The golden maples were dazzling. I had the place nearly to myself, encountering only one other party. Total distance: 4.75 miles.
Comments
Prairiecomm on Chimacum Ridge Community Forest
Hi,
Could you add this as a new trail. The only way one can find it is if they come across your trip report. And even if you do a site search for 'chimacum ridge' it doesn't show up.
thanks!
Posted by:
Prairiecomm on Nov 01, 2025 08:29 PM
Eric Katanaboy on Chimacum Ridge Community Forest
That's not something I can do, but I think WTA plans to do so.
Posted by:
Eric Katanaboy on Nov 01, 2025 09:42 PM