Trail of the Week: Sequalitchew Creek Trail in DuPont

DuPont’s Sequalitchew Creek Trail

Hike description: Local history, a lush green escape and a quiet Puget Sound beach highlight a short hike in DuPont.

The Sequalitchew Creek Trail starts from city hall and quickly submerges hikers into a deep green drainage that descends toward Puget Sound. Listen for the sounds of birds, frogs and other creatures. It’s not uncommon to see deer in the area.

Toward the bottom of the trail, pass under the train track through a tunnel decorated with graffiti. Emerge on a beach that was once the site of the DuPont Wharf.

Remnants of the wharf remain, most predominantly train rails that were once used to move raw goods and dynamite along the route of the trail.

Interpretive markers along the trail are worth stopping to read. The signs tells the history of the area and its use by the Nisqually Tribe, the Hudson’s Bay Co., and DuPont and Weyerhaeuser companies.

After spending some time on the beach, you can return the way you came or take a side trail up to the Wilkes Observatory site and then link dirt trails, paved trails and DuPont neighborhood sidewalks to create a 5.4-mile loop. We chose this route and found wandering through neighborhoods considerably less enjoyable than hiking the creek drainage.

The group agreed that after experiencing the Tree Tunnel Trail and its occasional glimpses of Puget Sound and the Nisqually Delta, it might have been best to return the way we came. This would extend the hike to 6.2 miles, but would have eliminated 2 miles of pounding pavement.

Directions: From Interstate 5 in DuPont, take Exit 118 and then follow Center Drive to Civic Drive. Turn left on Civic Drive and find the trailhead near the city hall building.

Difficulty rating: 2 (5 is most difficult, 1 is easiest).

Miles round trip: 3.2-5.4 depending on route.

Elevation gain: 300 feet.

Best time of the year: Year-round.

Map: A map of DuPont trails is available on the DuPont tourism website.

Pass: None.

Also: The loop described above wraps around The Home Course, a golf course used along with Chambers Bay to host the 2010 U.S. Amateur. A Sequalitchew Creek hike can also be extended across Center Drive on the Edmond Marsh trails. Hikers are asked to keep a safe distance from plants and animals. There is poison oak in the area. Some is marked, but most is not. The trail is closed at night. Dogs on leashes are permitted on the trail, but owners must clean up after their pets. Several geocaches are located along the trail. For more information, visit geocaching.com. The DuPont trail brochure states that the city has more than 12 miles of trails and bike lanes. DuPont is home to Wear Blue: Run to Remember, a nonprofit group that runs in honor of military members killed in combat. Wear Blue signs are posted along some DuPont trails.

Info: visitdupont.com.

This story was originally published June 23, 2016 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Trail of the Week: Sequalitchew Creek Trail in DuPont."