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Trip Report

Illahee State Park — Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019

Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
Trail between two trees.

I come here often. It's right in Bremerton, so it's pretty convenient. Illahee State Park has the only old growth forest left in Kitsap county. The giant Douglas Firs, Western Hemlocks, Western Red Cedars, and Bigleaf Maples are pretty spectacular. 

The upper area of the park is spiderwebbed by trails, and is a popular place for dogwalkers. The campground is closed until the septic system is repaired, but is a nice low-intensity walk under shady maples. The playground was removed except for a slide due to safety concerns.

The beach hill trail is the real burner. It's not long, but it's steep enough that coming up will probably have you huffing and puffing. I used to see a guy here wearing a weight vest, running up and down the hill as preparation for climbing Mt. Rainier.

The beach is about 2000 ft. It's only accessible at low tide. At the southern end there's a sand beach that is good for sitting out on and braving the Puget Sound water.

A trail along the road.
The dock from the beach.
Stop along the beach hill trail.
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