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A steady uphill alongside active rail that heads into the back of Boeing, feat. rolling terrain.


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Map Key

3.5

Miles

5.6

KM

Loop

594' 181 m

High

96' 29 m

Low

571' 174 m

Up

565' 172 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

26%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features River/Creek · Waterfall

On sunny weekends the parking is packed, but there is plenty of parking on the street.

Overview

This route uses some of the more obvious of Japanese Gulch's varied trails. Keep in mind that the trails in the area have many alternate routes, and it's possible to endlessly vary your experience.

Need to Know

Trail entrance to the east side of gulch currently (4/14/16) closed for major construction. You must enter on west side and cross over to east side on a bridge.

Description

Whether you're traveling fast or slow, this route will give you a workout. The first 1.6 miles on the BNSF Trail are a steady uphill before you reach a portion where the trail features rugged rolling terrain. The first 1.6 miles are wide and packed dirt or gravel.

Keep an eye out for a sharp, hairpin L turn at the top of the climb, and head about 1/8 mi down the utility road. You'll see a thinly defined 'trail' through the bushes that line the path. This shorter trail comes out by a holding pond. Keep this pond tight on your left, and you'll enter the forest and find yourself presented with a myriad of trails. The trails are obvious but unmarked. This route mostly uses the Western Trail on the way back to the northern end of the park. All of the smaller trails were created by mountain bikers and hikers.

The dog park located nearby has port-a-potty that is always clean. There is a coffee shop where visitors can purchase espresso and baked goods, chocolates and a pizza parlor located 4 blocks away, and it is possible to catch the ferry about 6 blocks away.

Flora & Fauna

Since the trail head is at the Mukilteo Dog Park, you can expect to see dogs. People are very conscientious about scooping. I have never, ever had to scrape poo off my shoes. As a courtesy, people generally run with dogs off leash, but leash when they see runners or bikers.

Contacts

Shared By:

Judith Mayer

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 10 votes

#3618

Overall
  3.9 from 10 votes
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Photos

Singletrack at top of the trail before you start downhill.
Mar 8, 2016 near Mukilteo, WA
First 1.6 miles uphill on packed gravel: tracks on left, creek on right.
Mar 8, 2016 near Mukilteo, WA
1st bridge to cross over to east side of the gulch.
Apr 18, 2016 near Mukilteo, WA
There are 3 places with small bridges where you can cross to the MUCH steeper south side.
Apr 1, 2016 near Mukilteo, WA
Creek alongside first 1.6 miles
Apr 1, 2016 near Mukilteo, WA
West side trail entrance
Apr 18, 2016 near Mukilteo, WA
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Check-Ins

Aug 31, 2023
Duncan Hughes
Aug 3, 2019
Rachel Dier
3.2mi — 1h 19m
Jul 7, 2018
Danielle Gerlach
Jun 11, 2018
Christy C
Mar 3, 2018
John Doran
Got lost second half, had to backtrack and take a bridge instead 1.6mi
Aug 30, 2017
Nhoj Rudnab
3.5mi
Aug 10, 2017
Fe Schneider
The first half of this hike was disappointing because of the gravel trail running right alongside the train tracks. I wouldn't hike this trail again.
Jun 26, 2017
Kendra Maibaum
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