Field trip: GoHike: Beginner Hiking Course
April Hikes: 2.5 - 5 miles, 250 - 1,000 feet gain - Point Defiance Park
We are hiking the outer loop trail with the option to hike down and up from Owens beach. About a 5-mile hike with about 300 to 500 feet (Owens beach adds 400 feet) of elevation. The rhodies bloom in April. This hike counts toward your monthly required GoHike course April trips.
Contacts
- Sat, Apr 19, 2025
- Foothills Hiking Committee
- Day Hiking
- Adults
- Easy
- Easy
- Mileage: 4.3 mi
- Elevation Gain: 300 ft
- Pace: 1.5-2mph
- 3 (10 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
The day hike is designed to help GoHike members to get better acquainted while developing their fitness and confidence on the trail. This is a very popular area for hiking, running, and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll pass by several incredible viewpoints of Puget Sound, the historic Fort Nisqually and a visit to the Mountaineer tree.
Depending on the energy of the group we can drop down to Owens beach (adds about .5 mile)
Bathrooms are available in a few places along the trail.
Please load your pack with a weight that is challenging for yourself. Include what you would bring for ten essentials. No special equipment is need for the hike.
We start at 10am from the Rhododendron Garden. We finish at the Rhododendron Garden. Parking can be tight at the Rhododendron Garden, so carpooling is encouraged.
No parking pass is required.
Point Defiance Park
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NOAA Puget Sound: Shilshole Bay to Commencement Bay No. 18474 - See full route/place details.
Required Equipment
Your leader will send out a Hello Hiker email prior to the hike with details on the hike and recommended and required equipment.
Please load your pack with a weight that is challenging for yourself. Include what you would bring for ten essentials. No special equipment is need for the hike.