It is always nice to explore a new area and trail when the mountains are still not reachable due to snow.
This trail can be found on the northern part of Vashon Island off SE Cedarhurts Road with room for parking for only a few cars. A much large gravel parking lot off SE 156th St. is located at the top and is our destination. We started hiking at the bottom as I think most hikers prefer going up at the beginning of the hike.
We loved Bill's trail with the many singing birds (purple finch, golden-crowned kinglet, Pacific wren, house finch, red-breasted nuthatch, etc) and the mostly alder and cedar forest. The Douglas firs did not appear until further up on the creek trail. The elevation is not bad, about 600' according to my hiking app. Bill's trail had many ups ad downs with one downed tree to step over and the creek trail had some serious uphill toward the end, near the upper parking lot. Up here, we found a tree and shrub restoration area with a short gravel loop trail around it and a nice bench that was calling for us to rest and eat lunch.
We made a lollipop loop out of this trail going up Bill's trail and then coming back on the Shinglemill Creek trail. There also was a short extremely wet trail to Fern Cove. It had a lovely wooden bench to enjoy the views and rest those weary feet before heading for home.
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