Harstine Island State Park = deep peace, mystery, and solitude. Perfect for a hot day: a contemplative day hike (1.5 miles round trip with a 200' elevation drop) down into shaded, jade-colored beauty with light filtering through the forest canopy - then...opening out onto a pristine Puget Sound beach in its natural state. On the way down: see lots of ferns, devil's club, moss, old growth cedar, and an occasional skunk cabbage. When you get to the beach, sit on a driftwood log, picnic, take in the view (Mt. Rainier in the distance), beach comb, and/or dig for clams, geoducks (pronounced "gooeeducks"), oysters, mussels, etc., if you are so inclined. This is a hike so wear sensible shoes, and maybe take a walking stick if you'd like. Also, Puget Sound beaches are...well, they're rocky. No flip-flops or sandals even once you get to the beach. Doggies must be on a leash.
Directions/Map/Address: East Yates Road, Shelton WA. From the town of Shelton: drive SR 3 east for 11.0 miles turning right to Harstine Island onto Pickering Road. Continue for 3.3 miles bearing left onto Harstine Island Bridge coming to a T-junction. Go left on North Harstine Island Drive and at 3.0 miles come to a four-way junction. Turn right onto East Harstine Island Road and after one mile turn left onto Yates Road (a gravel road). Follow this road for one mile to park entrance and trail head.
Directions/Map/Address: East Yates Road, Shelton WA. From the town of Shelton: drive SR 3 east for 11.0 miles turning right to Harstine Island onto Pickering Road. Continue for 3.3 miles bearing left onto Harstine Island Bridge coming to a T-junction. Go left on North Harstine Island Drive and at 3.0 miles come to a four-way junction. Turn right onto East Harstine Island Road and after one mile turn left onto Yates Road (a gravel road). Follow this road for one mile to park entrance and trail head.
Old growth cedar tree in the background, stinging nettles in the foreground
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