The first day of Spring is meant for hiking, especially if it is in the low 60s and perfect blue skies. Every mountain was visible today as we sailed across the Salish Sea to Port Townsend, Wa, from Whidbey Island. We could see Mount Baker, all the northern and mid-Cascade Mountains, and Mount Rainier far away in the south Cascade Mountains. The Olympics rose above the Quimper Penisula, and I could see as far away as tiny Mt. Erie on Fidalgo Island.
On the Kennewick Ferry, leaving Keystone by Fort Casey State Park, Port Townsend across the water and the Olympic Mountains rising above.
These are walking directions, so one doesn’t need a car.
Once we arrived in Port Townsend, we walked off the ferry dock to the right into the waterfront district. We took a left onto Taylor Street and headed for the Haller Fountain.
Up the stairs and cross Jefferson. Keep heading uphill on Taylor Street until you cross Lawrence. If you are hungry or thirsty, pop into Aldrich’s a short block uphill or around the block to Pane d’Amore Artisan Bakery. Aldrich’s has bathrooms upstairs as well, if needed. On Saturdays in season, the farmers market is held here.
Keep walking uphill on Taylor. The first half has a sidewalk, then it’s road walking. Traffic is very low here. It’s four city blocks; then you come to a very steep hill and the last section of Taylor. It’s the only way up to this section, so suck it up and start walking. The road quality is very poor here, and the distinct back roads in Port Townsend seem to suffer from this. But, with low traffic, who is to complain?
Level out at Taft and take a right, going one city block, then taking a left up Adams. This crosses Crosgrove, and you will reach the edge of Sather Park. Go up about halfway up the next section to reach the entrance to the park. Be sure to look back often to see the views that all these old Victorian homes have.
Sather Park entrance. There is room on the side of the road for multiple cars.
Two trails are taking off into the forest.
With little guidance, we decided to walk in and see where it took us. The trailhead has a kiosk with a poem and a park bench.
I could see an odd opening in the forest on Google Maps, so that was my goal.
That opening I could see?
“The 6.72 acres now known as Sather Park on Morgan Hill include the site of a failed vision of grandeur started during Port Townsend’s 19th century boom years. An elegant three story hotel called the Mountain View was begun in 1886 by Captain H.E. Morgan as a part of the platted Mountain View Addition but it was never finished. The building was abandoned and blew down in a windstorm in 1916. The site became Sather Park when Jefferson County sold it to the City for $50 in 1925. The park was named after Mayor Floyd Sather, who arranged the sale and dedicated the land for park use. The area where the hotel stood is now a clearing in the center of the park.”
We wandered into the park. Every minute or so, we would come to another junction. In this tiny pocket of forest, there are nothing but trails. Great dog walking, for sure!
By looking at the map periodically, I could see where I was, and we kept curving around.
It’s well-maintained back here.
And then I spotted where I wanted to be.
We first walked most of the park because I enjoyed the weaving trails.
We came to the lower entrance to this opening.
Looking across to where we had been a bit before, there are two entrances from above: one is a path, and the other has actual stairs built. The exit out of the park is just to the right, and it puts you out just above the main entrance.
It’s a pleasant, shady glade to enjoy, especially on a warm afternoon.
Is it wilderness? No. It is a quiet spot away from urban life. It is walkable. You just have to want the miles, is all.
Chetzemoka Park is not far away to extend the walk.
How one retreats down the hill is up to where they want to go. We were heading to Point Hudson, so we angled our way over to Monroe to drop down. It’s a steep hill, no matter which way you go.
Point Hudson on the water, with Mount Baker across the Salish Sea and Whidbey Island in the distance.
~Sarah