10. HOODSPORT TRAIL near cushman
Hoodsport Trail Park is a small park located between Hood Canal and Lake Cushman. It offers about two miles of wooded trails with loops and connections. The trail system can be a bit confusing, which adds to the adventure for hikers also exploring Olympic National Park and Forest nearby.
The Lower Loop makes a half mile loop in the lush mature second-growth forest that embraces Dow Creek. Two big rustic bridges will take you over the creek and back. The Hoodsport Timberland Library partnered with the Port of Hoodsport to transform the lower loop into a storybook trail. Families with small children will enjoy reading a story on separate panels as they hike along this delightful trail.
The Upper Loop is a little longer than a mile and climbs through a more open forest. The highlight to this trail is a lone enormous bigleaf maple tree.
The Upper Loop brushes along the periphery of the park which borders a DNR tract that was recently logged. This provides some sunnier hiking than the lower loop and some limited views out to the Olympic Mountain foothills.