Island Center Forest
Explore an excellent trail system in the heart of Vashon Island
Quick Facts: Location: Vashon Island Land Agency: King County Parks and Vashon Maury Island Land Trust Distance: more than 10 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 200 feet Contact: King County Parks Notes: dogs permitted on leash: Trails also open to mountain bikes and horses Recommended Guidebook: Urban Trails Seattle (Mountaineers Book)
Access: Take Washington State Ferry from Fauntleroy (West Seattle) or Point Defiance (Tacoma) to Vashon Island. Then follow Vashon Highway and turn west onto SW 188th Street. Proceed for .3 mile, turn right onto 107th Ave SW and continue 0.1 mile to trailhead and parking.
Good to Know: Kid-friendly, dog-friendly, snow-free winter hike, Practice Leave No Trace Principles, mountain biking
As its name denotes, this forested preserve sits in the center of Vashon Island. At 440 acres, the Island Center Forest is the largest public land on the island. And containing more than 10 miles of interconnected trails, it is one of the best places on Vashon for an all day hike or a long trail run. Explore tracts of mature timber, two large bodies of water and the headwaters of Judd Creek. The forest’s terrain is level to rolling making it perfect for hikers and runners of all fitness levels.
This large parcel was a former Washington DNR property. It was secured by King County Parks in 2005. Subsequent purchases of adjoining tracts by the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust helped make it the largest tract of public land on the island. Once used primarily for timber production, the forest is now managed for sustainable forestry, passive recreation, and wildlife habitat. And while parts of it were clear-cut in the past, there are several attractive tracts of mature second growth timber within this forest.
The forest is shared by horseback riders and mountain bikers. Some of the trails are more flowy favoring bikers, but they make excellent hiking and running trails as well. Some suggested routes include the following:
The Meadowlake Lake Loop: hike or run around the forest’s largest body of water.
Mukai Pond Meadowlake Pond Loop: Extend the above loop by following the Mukai Meadow Trail along Mukai Pond, which is named for the Japanese-American family that once ran a successful strawberry farming operation here.
Middle Fork-North Trail Loop: From the Cemetery Trailhead, take the Grinder Trail to the Middle Fork Trail. Then follow this nice wooded trail to the Borrow Pit Loop and make a loop around the old quarry. Return via the North Trail back to the Middle Fork Trail and Grinder Trail. Reach your start in 2.8 miles.
Forestry Loop Trail: This is a beautiful little interpretive trail through stately cedars. Island Center Forest Periphery: With a map in hand tie together a series of trails along the park’s periphery for a trip of around 5.5 to 6.0 miles.
Island Center Forest is one of the featured destinations in my Urban Trails Seattle (Mountaineers Book). For more details on this hike and others on Vashon Island (including many not found in other guides), pick up a copy of this book today!
