Faith Walkers and Friends,

An extremely wet spring, Sleep’s trip to Gatlinburg and the Great Smokey Natl. Park and a short bout with COVID brings us to let’s get out on a Faith Walk!

First a few housekeeping items:

1. We need to update the Faith Walker email list so if you would like to be removed or know someone to be added email Bill at sleepbd@msn.com

2. Because of COVID concerns more people elect to drive to the trailhead so be sure to have a valid Discover Pass and a NW Forest Pass or Golden Age Pass. Questions contact Bill

3. If you plan to Walk/ Hike it is not required but helpful to let the hike leader know you plan to join the group and where you will meet up. All are welcome! Just show up ready to go.

4. We try to leave the church at 9:00 a.m. sharp so be there early. Call or text if you will be late.

5. We will plan to have a low impact walk alternative on the Walk/Hikes whenever possible but we will need a leader for both groups.

6. If you plan on carpooling bring a face mask,

7. We need people to lead their favorite hike. We can get the emails out, just volunteer.

Thursday June 2nd we will  start out with a flat walk of the Mima Mounds Nature Preserve . This Thursday we will walk the 2.6 mile of trails around Mima Mounds which include a  0.5 mile paved segment for those who want a short walk. A longer option is available.  This is a tennis shoe hike with flat trails.  Bring a jacket as there may be a slight breeze.

A Discovery Pass is required for parking. Check your expiration date.

We will enjoy our lunch at the McLane Creek overlooking the lake and see if there are any new ducklings. This is a flat nature trail with only 50 feet of elevation change.  Bring your brown bag lunch ,water and a light jacket. No dogs.  A Discovery Pass is also required for parking

We will leave the church at 9:00 a.m.  or meet at Mima Mounds at 9:40 a.m. Cars can be back to the church by 2:00 p.m. 

Happy Trails,

Questions contact,

Bill Sleep

sleepbd@msn.com

360.463.6180 Call or text

Check list:

Good beginner walk:

2.6 mile tennis shoe walk with 0.5 mile  paved alternative

Bring Brown bag lunch and water

Light jacket

No Dogs

Good restrooms at trailhead

Leave church @9:00 a.m.

Discover Pass required for parking

Faith Walkers & Friends,

This Thursday Sept. 23rd. we will enjoy an easy Fall walk around Waughop Lake in Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood. The walk is a flat I mile  around Waughop Lake on a wide trail which we will do twice (or more) to get 2 miles plus a short side trip up the hill to the old Western State Hospital site.   We will leave the church at 8:30 am or meet at the trail head at 9:30 a.m. The trail is dog  and kid friendly. No parking pass is required.

Directions to Fort Steilacoom Park: Exit 119 on I-5 to DuPont -Steilacoom Rd.  Right onto Rainier St in Steilacoom becomes Steilacoom Blvd. Turn right into Ft. Steilacoom Park across from Western State Hospital.  Elwood Drive SW. Turn right on Dresden Lane into park.

We will have our lunch back in Steilacoom at the park   The weather should be partly cloudy in the low 70’s. 

Happy Trails,

Questions or comments, text, email or call Bill Sleep

sleepbd@msn.com

360.463.6180 cell

360.426.2785

Faith Walkers & Friends,

This Thursday September 16th we will Hike/Walk the trails of Penrose Point State Park on the Long Branch Peninsula.  We will get to enjoy the last days of our dry summer before the rains start on Friday.   The trails are an easy 2.5 mile loop with 200 feet of elevation gain.  There are several  short cut trail options that can shorten the walk and reduce the elevation.   This is a good hike for folks in the Pickering and Grapeview areas.

We leave the church at 8:30 a.m. or meet at the trailhead at 9:30 a.m.  Weather will be cool so bring a light jacket.  The trails are dog friendly on a leash.  A State DISCOVER PASS is required for parking. Bring your lunch and water, we will eat down by the beach.

Happy Trails,

Questions and commitments, call , email or text.

Bill Sleep

sleepbd@msn.com

360.426.2785

360.463.6180 cell

Faith Walkers & Friends,

This Thursday September 9th we will enjoy the Steam Donkey trail in the Dosewallips State Park in Brinnon.  Lind Anders will lead us on a hike is a 3.5 mile loop trail with 400 ft. of elevation gain.  Another option is for a 2 mile out and back with 200 ft. of elevation gain, The trail is mostly tree covered so the temperature should be in the low 70’s.  Sturdy treaded shoes are recommended.

We will leave the church at 8:30 a.m. or meet at the ranger station inside the park at 9:30 a.m.

Any Questions or commitments call or reply email.

Happy Trails

Bill Sleep

sleepbd@msn,com

360.426.2785

360.463.6180 cell

Faith Walkers and Friends,

This Thursday September 2nd we will enjoy an easy walk on the trails of Mary E. Theler Wetlands Nature Preserve in Belfair.  The very easy walk is up to 3.2 miles on level trail and boardwalk after a decline of 50 ft. of elevation change from the trailhead.  We will stop by the Salmon Center and have our lunch using their picnic tables.  This walk can be breezy so bring a light jacket. Not much shade.  No dogs on this hike.  No parking pass required.

This is a good walk for those in the Grapeview/Pickering area

We will leave the church at 8:30 a.m. or trailhead by the Belfair Community Center at 9:15 a.m. Easy tennis shoe walk for all.  Bring your water and lunch.

Happy Trails,

Questions or commitments call or email,

Bill Sleep
sleepbd@msn.com
360.426.2785
360.463.6180 Cell

Faith Walkers and Friends,

On Thursday Aug 26th we will enjoy a hike up into some old-growth timber on the Upper South Fork of the Skokomish River. The hike is a 2 mile round trip with about 225 ft. of elevation gain. There are some interesting geological features along the trail. Depending on the group we may also walk around Spider Lake which is a 1.8 mile loop with 300 feet of elevation change. Spider Lake was formed by an earthquake triggered landslide about 1,000 years ago.

We will leave the church at 8:30 a.m. or meet at the Brown's Creek campground at 9:30 a.m. for a potty break and a regroup of vehicles. The trailhead is on the 2361 Rd. off of the NF-23 Rd. Let me know if you are meeting us at Brow's Ck. camp ground, The roads are a little confusing in that area. The roads to access this trail are a mix of paved and gravel road, accessible by low-clearance vehicles.

The weather will be cool so bring a jacket, lunch and water, 10% chance of showers. No parking pass required. It is always good to know if you are planning to go!

Happy Trails

Questions and plans:

Bill Sleep
sleepbd@msn.com
360.426.2785
360.463.6180 Cell

Faith Walkers and Friends,

This week we will take a walk on the beach at Twin Harbors State Park near Westport. While the temperature will be close to 100 in Shelton on Thursday we will enjoy the high 60's to 70's on the beach, Bring a jacket! The elevation gain is maybe 10 feet as we cross the dunes then I promise flat as we go North or South on the beach for however long you want to walk. The tide will be low so the sand should be firm for just tennis shoes. You may want to bring a second set of shoes or sandals to help keep the cars clean from the sand.

We will leave the Church @ 8:30 a.m. or meet at the trailhead at 10:00 am.

Direction to the trailhead The Shafer Island Ocean Beach Approach: As Hwy 105 from Aberdeen turns south towards Grayland, continue straight into Twin Harbors State Park to the parking lot. A Discover Pass is require for drivers.

Happy Trails

Question or plans to go,

Bill Sleep
sleepbd@msn.com
360.426.2785
360.463.6180 Cell

Check List:

Leave the Church at 8:30 or trailhead at 10:00

Bring a jacket

Extra shoes or sandals

Discover Pass

Restrooms and picnic tables at trailhead

Lunch at the trailhead

Driving time 1:30 minutes

Faith Walkers & Friends,

This Thursday August 5th we will enjoy a nice walk/ hike combination to Lake Sylvia State Park and the Forest trail near Montesano. The walk portion of the hike is a flat 1.0 mile out and back along the shore of Lake Sylvia on a old road. The hike portion is the same 1 mike segment along the lake then continue another mile around the lake with about 50 ft. of elevation gain.

The second portion for the hikers is the Forest trail which adds 2 more miles with 200 ft. of elevation loss and gain on a good trail through the City of Montesano City Forest.

We will leave the church at 9:00 a.m. with water and lunch for the 50 minute drive to the trailhead. Or meet at the trailhead at 9:50 a.m. A Discover Pass is required for drivers. The hike is kid and dog friendly. Weather should be pleasant with morning overcast.

Happy Trails

Questions,

Bill Sleep
sleepbd@msn.com
360.426.2785
360.463.6180 Cell

Check list:

• Discover Pass for drivers

• Water and lunch

• Jacket?

• Tennis shoes for walkers

• Hikers some shoe tread preferred

• Hikers Hike pole if you have them

• Dog friendly

• Good restrooms at trailhead

This Thursday July 29th the Faith Walkers will hike/walk Naches Peak Loop at Chinook Pass on Hwy 410

This is one of our special Wildflower hikes for the year. The weather is forecast to be partly cloudy. The drive takes 2 1/2 hours so we will leave the church at 7:00 a.m. or meet at the Forest Service lot at Chinook Pass at 9:30-9:45 a.m. We will plan a potty break in Enumclaw ( 8:30 meeting time) at McDonalds for 15 minutes. The pit toilets at the trailhead are reported to be open so if you do not need the stop in Enumclaw go direct to Chinook Pass as parking is limited. We need to carpool if you are comfortable with riding with someone else. Walk option on the hike would be picture #1 with a round trip of 1.6 miles and 150 of elevation gain. You will be able to see some wildflowers. Have your lunch on the trail or back at Tipsoo Lake.

The hike option is to make the full loop of 3 miles with 400 ft. of elevation gain with more wildflowers plus the mountain view from lunch rock (picture #2). We will pack our lunch and water.

A Federal Pass is required for the Chinook Pass upper parking lot, no pass at Tipsoo Lake parking areas

Non Hikers can join the trip, bring a chair and book and enjoy Tipsoo Lake until the hikers return. You may want some insect spray just in case.

Let me know if you plan to go and and where you will meet the group.

Happy Trails

Bill Sleep
sleepbd@msn.com
360.426.2785
360.463.6180 Cell

Check list:

Depart Shelton 7:00 a.m. sharp.

Depart Enumclaw McDonalds 8:45 or earlier if ready

Meet at Chinook Pass at 9:30- 9:45

Bring water, lunch, insect repellant and recommend long sleeves and long pants

Hiking poles if you have them

Tennis shoes ok for walkers

Treaded shoes for hikers preferred

Share in the cost of carpools - 235 miles round trip

Notify hike coordinator or arrange your own carpool

Faith Walkers & Friends,

This Thursday July 22nd the group will a hike down to the beach at Sequalitchew Creek for lunch. This is an easy 3.0 mile in & back with 226 of elevation gain on the return trip. The wide trail is partly paved along the route of the old DuPont Dynamite Train railway.

We will leave from the church at 9:00 a.m. or meet at the trailhead at 9:45 a.m. Bring your water and lunch. This is a dog friendly hike and no parking pass is required. Good restrooms are available at the adjacent DuPont City Hall

Direction to the trailhead at the Civic Center Parking lot:

Northbound I-5 take exit 118 to Center Drive in DuPont.

Left to 1700 Center Drive, DuPont WA 98327

SEE NOTE Below!!

Thursday July 29th we are planning to do our first WILDFLOWER HIKE to Naches Pass so plan ahead. The longer driving distance requires we leave Shelton at 7:00 a.m. We encourage car pooling and take insect repellant. Hike is 3 mile loop with 600 ft. of elevation. Let me know if you are interested. More information next week.

Questions and confirmations,

Bill Sleep
sleepbd@msn.com
360.426.2785

The Alderbrook trails offer several options from a 1.0 mile loop or the Licorice Fern loop with a 3.2 mile loop plus a bonus of 2.8 mile more on the Dogwood Ridge for the more hardy. Pick your trail.

Springtime hiking in the NW always has the chance of rain showers and this week is there is a 50% chance so after our waffles we will revaluate our hike options. Most of the trails are tree covered but bring a rain coat if some decide to go for it. We normally eat our lunch on the bulkhead at Alderbrook Resort weather permitting.

Please let me know if you plan to help Celebrate Spring (come to breakfast at Joan’s) so I can let Joan know on a waffle count. Also we will plan to leave the church at 8:30 a.m. or meet at Joan's at 8:30. Also let me know where you will meet the group so we don't miss you.

Happy Spring Trails

Questions and plans call or email back. Remember the 8:30 a.m. start.

Bill Sleep
sleepbd@msn.com
360.426.2785
360.463.6180 Cell

This Thursday the weather will be cooler than last week but it should be enjoyable for a nice walk in the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. Ab & Lara VanEtten will lead the group on the Estuary Boardwalk Trail which is 5 miles out and back. Walkers who want a shorter exercise can do the 1/2 mile can to the Twin Barns loop trail for a total of 1 mile.. Or go as far as you like and return. We will plan a brown bag lunch by the Twin Barns. No dogs on this hike.

We will leave the Church at 9:00 a.m. or meet at the trailhead parking at 9:45 a.m. For those interested you should be able to get to Shelton by 2:00 p.m. for GriefShare

Click here for more information on this trail.

Contact info:

Bill Sleep
sleepbd@msn.com
360.426.2785
360.463.6180 Cell

Ab & Lara VanEtten
aandlve@gmail.com
360.229.9567 Cell

This Thursday Oct. 22nd Terri Saylor will lead a nice Fall hike around the Staircase Rapids Loop trail.  The trail is a 2.5 mile loop with 200 feet of elevation gain.  The trails is in the National Park so no dogs are allowed.  The weather will cooler but dry so plan on a coat or several layers.  The group will leave the church at 9:00 a.m. or meet at the Staircase trailhead at 10:00 a.m.  Let Terri know if you want to meet some other place en route.

A Federal Pass, North West Forest, Golden Age, etc. is required to enter the National Park.  Bring your lunch, water and a face covering.

More info about this trail here.

Questions or commitment call or email,

Bill Sleep
sleepbd@msn.com

Terri Saylor

terriandstevesaylor@yahoo/com

This Thursday October 29th we will enjoy the nice Fall colors in the Olympia Watershed and then McLane Creek Forest Preserve. The Olympia Watershed is an easy 1.5 mile loop with 175 feet hill in the middle. The McLane Creek is another easy 1.5 mile loop with 50 feet of elevation gain. We will eat our lunch at McLane Creek. There should be some migratory ducks there or the resident Wood Ducks are always colorful.

We will leave the church at 9:00 a.m. or meet at the Watershed Park trailhead at 2500 Henderson Blvd SE, Olympia, WA 98501 at 9:30 a.m.

McLane requires a Discovery Pass but is not dog friendly. Cool weather so bring a coat, gloves and face covering.

Happy Fall Trails,

Questions and RSVP call or email,

Bill Sleep
sleepbd@msn.com
360.426.2785
360.463.6180 Cell

This Thursday Oct 8th we enjoy one our favorite waterfall hikes to Murhut Falls and do an add on to the Ranger Hole or Rocky Brooks Falls'

The Murhut Falls is a 1.6 mile out and back with 250 ft. of elevation change which is in the first 1/2 mile but we just take it easy. The 2 connected water falls make it worth the hike.  After Murhut we will either hike down to the Ranger Hole on the Duckabush river which is an easy 1.4 mile out & back hike with one steep section.  The other option is a very short 1/4 mile walk to Rocky Brook Falls but extreme care must be used on the  rocks at the base made very slippery from the spray from the falls. The road to Murhut includes about 3 miles of gravel road with pot holes.

We will leave the church at 9:00 a.m. and meet others at the intersection of the Duckabush River Rd (Forest Service Rd 2510) and Hwy 101 MP 310.( 22 miles north of Hoodsport)  We will make  potty stop at the Interrorem Guard Station cabin 4 miles up the river.  Another pit toilet location is the Duckabush River trailhead. The weather will be cooling so bring a light jacket. Everyone will need to wear a face covering at the falls because the view point is congested.

Please let me know where you will meet the group.  Parking is limited at the Murhut TH so plan to park tightly.  No pass is required for parking at Murhut  but the Northwest Forest pass is required for Ranger Hole.  We will probably eat lunch at the Ranger Hole TH after the Murhut hike.

Check list:

• Face covering mask for all

• Light jacket

• Lunch and Water

• Let me know your travel plans

More information about this trail here.

Send questions and “Yes, I’m going!”s to Bill.

This is a 4.5 mile loop the confluence for lunch then back on a good trail maintained by the Rose Mountain Trail Crew.  This is probably the best maintained trail in the Olympic Natl. Forest.  There is a 850 ft. elevation gain which is moderate but we hike the loop counter clockwise which eases the elevation gain.  The hike back out is all downhill.  After lunch at the new Big Creek Bridge we continue on the Loop or return back the way we came up.  Some may wish to add another mile or so to a overlook of Lake Cushman. 

We will leave the church at 9:00 a.m. or meet at the Big Creek camp ground at 10:00 a.m. 

Let Bill know what your plans are so we don't leave you behind.

Check list:

• Carry lunch and water

• Good restrooms at trailhead

• Dog friendly

• Cool to start will get warm

• Northwest Forest Pass required

More information about this trail here.

Send questions and “Yes, I’m going!”s to Bill.

EDIT: Here are some photos from this hike!

The hike for Thursday September 3 will be Seqalitchew Creek near DuPont. This is an easy 3.0 mile in & back  with 226 of elevation gain on the return trip.  The  wide trail is partly paved along the route of the old DuPont Dynamite Train railway. 

We will leave from the church at 9:00 a.m. or meet at the trailhead at 9:45 a.m.  Bring your water and lunch. This is a dog friendly hike and no parking pass is required.  Good restrooms are available at the adjacent DuPont City Hall.

Face covering is required as this is a heavily used trail.

Direction to the trailhead at the Civic Center Parking lot:

Northbound I-5 take exit 118 to Center Drive in DuPont.

Left to 1700 Center Drive, DuPont WA  98327

More information about this trail here.

Send questions and “Yes, I’m going!”s to Bill.

Update: Here are some photos from this hike!

This Thursday August 27th the group will hike the easy 2.3 mile loop at Twanoh State Park on Hood Canal. The trail starts along a small stream with a slight incline before climbing up 400 ft. to the ridge top.  The trail follows a old road for 0.7 miles, then drops back to the creek on some switch-backs.  We will have our lunch down by the beach.  The hike is mostly tree covered but bring sun block and a hat for lunch time.

We will leave the church at 9:00 a.m. or meet at the trailhead parking lot on the South side of Hwy 106 at 9:45 a.m. The Park address is 12190 WA-106, Union, WA 98592.

A Discovery Pass is required and bring hiking poles if available.  Face covering is required when meeting or passing other hikers.  This is a dog and kid friendly hike.

More information about this trail here.

Send questions and “Yes, I’m going!”s to Bill.

Update: here’s a photo from this hike!

This Thursday August 20th the group will hike the Tolmie State Park - Four Cedars Trail, north of Hawks Prairie.  This is an easy hike but not flat with a 2 mile loop with 200 ft. of elevation gain. The beach trail can add 0.6 miles out and back. Great for old folks, kids and is dog friendly. 

Tolmie State Park is only 45 minutes from Shelton so we will be back to Shelton by 2:00 p.m.  We will leave from the church at 9:00 a.m. or meet at the lower parking lot trailhead at 9:45 a.m. Good restrooms at the trailhead. Bring face covering, water and lunch which we will enjoy down on the beach.  Hiking poles are good for the few steep pitches in the trail.

Driving directions:

• Take I-5 North to exit 111,  left across the freeway North

• Continue on Marvin Rd NE for 5 miles to T stop 

• Turn right on 56th Ave NE

• Jog on Hill St NE to 61st Ave NE

• Follow State Park signs to Lower parking lot.

More information about this trail here.

Send questions and “Yes, I’m going!”s to Bill.

This is one of our special Wildflower hikes for the year which will be Thursday August 13th, weather is forecast to be partly cloudy, 61 degrees. The drive takes 2 1/2 hours so we will leave the church at 7:00 a.m. or meet at Tipsoo Lake at 9:30 a.m. The pit toilets at the trailhead are closed so we will plan for a potty stop at Tipsoo Lake. Another stop point is at McDonalds in Enumclaw at the 1-1/2 hour point but that takes up additional 15-20 minutes.
The walk option on the hike would be picture #1 with a round trip of 1.6 miles and 150 of elevation gain. You will be able to see some wildflowers. Dogs allowed.

The hike option is to make the full loop of 3 miles with 400 ft. of elevation gain with the wildflowers plus the mountain view from lunch rock (picture #2). No dogs allowed because you will be in the National Park.

A Federal Pass is required for the upper parking lot, no pass at Tipsoo Lake parking areas but the driver will have to hike additional distance after dropping passengers at the trailhead.

More info about the hike here.