Event Info: Daily, 7a.m. - 8 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Trail is rated 2 with two short flights of stairs after the start. Walk along the bay and Five Mile Drive in beautiful Point Defiance Park. A great walk for all ages. Camera views of Narrows Bridge and Gig Harbor. Pass Never Never Land , Ft. Nisqually, and many gardens. Stop and visit the zoo and aquarium.
YR 635: Trail is rated 2 and is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. Pets are allowed. Revised walk is on city sidewalks and two short trails. Community of many "Firsts". Site of first Territorial Jail, Library and Protestant Church north of the Columbia River. The Catholic Mission has been in continual use since 1867. Scenic views of Olympics, Mt. Rainier, Puget Sound and McNeil Island, Anderson and Ketron Islands. Pass ferry dock and the old Steilacoom Railroad Station, no longer used for passenger service.
STEILACOOM/HISTORIC FORT STEILACOOM
Credit Only Event 10km/6km (YRE 1996)
CHALLENGE: LAKE, HISTORY, CEMETERY MONUMENTS
Start Point: Chevron Station, 3025 Steilacoom Blvd. Ask at the desk for the "Walk Box"
Rated 1+. Walk on asphalt, gravel, dirt trails as well as city sidewalks through Fort Steilacoom Park, Western State Hospital and the city of Lakewood. Fort Steilacoom Park was once a large farm where crops were grown and animals were raised for food for Western State Hospital. Circle a small lake and pass a large historic cemetery used by the hospital. On the return walk through the grounds of the current State Hospital and pass the few remaining houses of the original Ft. Steilacoom (used by the army of 1849 to 1868). The 6km trail passes the same sites as the 10km trail.
Credit Only Event 10 KM Walk (YR367) Jan 1 - Dec 31
Start Point: FORZA COFFEE COMPANY ( Formerly Cutters Point Coffee),
4828 Bridgeport Way W. at Cirque Drive W.
Event Info:Open daily from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. Trail is rated 2 Suitable for strollers. This walk includes some beautiful homes, views of the Sound, the new Chambers Bay golf course, and through the new city of University Place.
DIRECTIONS: Exit 1-5 #130: S. 56th St, West, Continue on S. 56th St which changes to Cirque Drive W at Orchard St S. Continue on Cirque Drive W. Turn LEFT (south) onto Bridgeport Way W. and take immediate right (Precision Tune Garage).
Credit Only Event 10KM WALK (YR1263)Jan 1 - Dec 31
Start Point: Spar Coffee Bar, 2123 North 30th St., Tacoma.
Event Info: Trail Rate 2+. This is a new trail that follows the Commencement Bay waterfront and through the historic Proctor District. Lovely turn of the century homes, unique shops, eateries. You will return with panoramic views of the Bay. The Saturday Farmers Market is open 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.For those who wish a Trail Rate of 1, we have an option of the original walk that is entirely flat along the waterfront. This option is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
Point of Contact: Rose Jones, (253)472-9524
Downtown Walk YRE
CHALLENGE: PARKS, TRAILS, MOUNTAINS FLOWERS, BRIDGES, COLLEGE CAMPUS. RAILROAD HERITAGE
Credit Only Event 10KM (YRE1262) Jan 1 - Dec 31
Start Point: Spar Coffee Bar, 2123 North 30th St., Tacoma, WA
Event Info: Trail Rate 2. An exciting walk past the clock tower
of Old City Hall, a fine example of Italian Renaissance architecture;
Union Station, Dale Chihuly's glass displays, the Washington State
History Museum, Tacoma Art Museum and past the Univ. of Washington Tacoma campus.
Point of Contact: Rose Jones, (253)472-9524
2009
YEAR ROUND EVENTS AND SEASONALS
This page was last updated on: October 15, 2009
NEW TACOMA NARROWS BRIDGE
Credit Only Event 10km/6km Seasonal Walk April 1 - Oct. 1
Start Point: YMCA Tacoma Morgan Branch 1002 South Pearl St. Ask for "Walk Box" at the desk. Mon - Sat 6:30 a.m. - dusk. Sun 11a.m. -dusk
Trail Rated 1+ Walk on paved trails, sidewalks, and road shoulders. Both 10km and 6km go through the gardens of the new War Memorial Parks that honors the heroes of World Wars I and II, Korean, Vietnam and Gulf Wars and across the New Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The new bridge known as "Sturdy Gertie" by local residents is 5400 feet in length. Spectacular views of the Puget Sound, Mt Rainier, and the Olympic Mtns. Many eateries along the way. Restrooms at Start/Finish and on route.
