Discovery Park- 3 miles- 200 ft- Easy (6)

SPECIAL NOTE: Be sure you are parking in the NORTH parking lot, there are three total lots at Discovery Park! If you see the Visitors Center than you are in the wrong lot! There are lots and lots of steps- so be prepared. Even being in horrid shape, I have been able to do this hike- but don't feel bad if you have to make several stops on the way back up!

Region: Seattle
Difficulty Level: Easy (7)
Roundtrip Distance: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Type of Hike: Loop
Nearby City: Seattle
GPS Coordinates: 47° 39' 28.91'' N 122° 24' 23.05'' W
Season: Year round
Dogs Welcome: Yes, but not on the main beach (beach is off-trail)
Fees: None AT THIS TIME- Please note that Seattle is considering charging for parking, so this may change in the future.

Click here for the Hiking Guide in our Files Section (http://files.meetup.com/1382666/DiscoveryPark.pdf)

Description of Hike:
From 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Discovery Park’s marked Loop Trail “never reaches the beach- arguable the park's leading attraction- a better and more representative loop is described here. This hike descends through the wooded areas in the northern half of the park, travels along the beach to the lighthouse, then returns up the bluff, offering many options for further exploration along the way."

Description &/or History of Area &/or Destination:
Discovery Park has more than 10 miles of trail, including a prominently marked Loop Trail that circles most of the open fields and old military housing in the park's southern end.

Driving Directions:
I-5 Northbound:
Take the Mercer St exit
Turn right at first stoplight onto Fairview Ave N
At next set of stoplights go left onto Valley St
Stay in far right lane that merges onto Westlake Ave N
Westlake Ave becomes Nickerson St
Go straight on Nickerson St past Fremont Bridge and Seattle Pacific University
Staying in left lane follow the sign to Ballard Bridge/Emerson St
At 3 way stop take a left onto Emerson St
Continue on Emerson St, through one stop light, until you get to a 4 way stop with a flashing light.
Turn right onto West Gilman
West Gilman becomes West Government Way
Continue going through the park past the Visitor Center until you come to the NORTH parking lot- we'll be on the left-hand side of the "T" at the end of the road (not at the visitor center at the east parking lot). Also see signs to Daybreak Star.

I-5 Southbound:
Take the 45th St Exit and head west (right)
Follow 45th, staying to the right
45th becomes 46th Ave North
Follow 46th until it becomes Market St
Continue on Market until you reach 15th Ave NW
Go left on 15th Ave NW, following it over the Ballard Bridge
Take the first right after the bridge onto Emerson St
Take a right onto West Gilman at the 4 way flashing light
W Gilman becomes West Government Way
Continue going through the park past the Visitor Center until you come to the NORTH parking lot- we'll be on the left-hand side of the "T" at the end of the road (not at the visitor center at the east parking lot). Also see signs to Daybreak Star.

Hwy 99 Northbound:
Follow 99 to the Western Ave exit
Head north on Western Ave
Western Ave becomes Elliott Ave
Elliott becomes 15th Ave W
Follow 15th to the Dravus St exit
At stoplight take a left onto Dravus
Take a right onto 20th Ave W
20th will become Gilman Ave W at 4 way stop
Gilman Ave W then becomes W Government Way
Continue going through the park past the Visitor Center until you come to the NORTH parking lot- we'll be on the left-hand side of the "T" at the end of the road (not at the visitor center at the east parking lot). Also see signs to Daybreak Star.

From Downtown Seattle:
Go west on Denny Way
Bear Right on to Elliott Ave
Elliott becomes 15th Avenue W
Follow 15th to the Dravus St exit
At stoplight take a left onto Dravus
Take a right onto 20th Ave W
20th will become Gilman Ave W at 4 way stop
Gilman Ave W then becomes W Government Way
Continue going through the park past the Visitor Center until you come to the NORTH parking lot- we'll be on the left-hand side of the "T" at the end of the road (not at the visitor center at the east parking lot). Also see signs to Daybreak Star.

References:
60 Hikes Within 60 Miles

As Always:
~Open to all paces- we can split into smaller groups if needed.
~Park rules, PNW Leisure Hiking Rules & Regulations, and proper trail etiquette apply at all times. Hikers are expected to respect the rights and privacy of other hikers
~Please try to be at least 15 minutes early to allow time to sign in & hear any instructions.
~If you have never been to the location we’re hiking from, assume you will get lost and plan for extra time to get there.
~Please keep your dog leashed, and bring a scoop or baggies to clean up after your pooch.
~Pack out all garbage- anyone found littering, or the parents of a litterbug, might be removed from the group.
~Please carpool when possible- Remember that most trailheads have limited parking.
~Please pack your 10 essentials.
~Rain will not cancel a hike, unless it’s a downpour; however, thunderstorms will cancel a hike automatically.
~Any last minute changes will be made by the morning of the hike, and anyone who has RSVPed “Yes,” “Maybe,” or who has not RSVPed yet will get an email with the new information.