NKTA Celebrates National Trails Day

5/23/2011 -

 Bike, Hike and Paddle

North Kitsap Trail Association Celebrates National Trails Day with Local Trails Events

 On June 4, 2011, Kitsap trails volunteers are staging unique local events to celebrate National Trails Day. A family mountain bike ride will be held on Port Gamble trails. Nature exploration hikes will be take place in the North Kitsap Heritage Park. A sunset kayak paddle will look for wildlife on Port Gamble Bay. Outdoor enthusiasts, families and other trail lovers are encouraged to join the celebration by biking, hiking and paddling.

Family Mountain Bike Ride on Port Gamble Trails:
The North Kitsap Trails Association (NKTA) and the Northwest Trail Riders Mountain Bike Club are hosting a family mountain bike ride departing on Port Gamble OPG trails starting at the Stottlemeyer Trailhead at 10 a.m. on June 4, 2011. The ride consists of some hills and mostly moderate single track. This will be a great ride for the entire family. All riders should be able to control their bikes on varied dirt terrain including single track, up hills and down hills. The main route is about 6 miles long, but for those wishing to make it longer or shorter will be able to do so independent of the guided group. John and Eleena Hawkins will be leading the ride. Helmets are required for all participants. Bikers should bring water and a snack for the trail. Come out and enjoy a fun day on the trails!

Directions: The Stottlemeyer Trailhead is just off Bond Road/SR 307. From Silverdale, take Highway 3 north, exit at Poulsbo and go right on 305. Turn left in 3/4 mile onto Bond Road/SR 307. Go 2.5 miles and take a left at the stoplight (Stottlemeyer/Gunderson Road). Travel about 2 miles and park in the gravel parking area on the right. Questions? Contact John Hawkins at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Hike and Explore North Kitsap Heritage Park:
NKTA and the North Kitsap Heritage Park Stewardship Group (Stewardship Group) are hosting guided trail walks of the North Kitsap Heritage Park trails on June 4, 2011. The forests are at a peak now for new spring foliage and woodland flowers. It's a perfect time to see the park’s offerings. There will be two walks, both starting from the park entrance on Miller Bay Rd. NE. The walk starting at 9:00 a.m. will track a short loop walk of 2.4 miles, and the 11:00 a.m. hike is longer, 4.5 miles. Wear good trail shoes, you’ll be hiking on trail surfaces of natural soil with some roots and rocks.

The Park has over 6 miles of natural surface recreational trails through second growth forest land. The park itself is 450 acres and the adjoining easement property is another 325 acres, making an accessible area of 775 acres located between Kingston and Indianola. Some trails follow abandoned logging roads and other trails have been newly built over new terrain by the Stewardship Group. This is all second growth forest 30 to 50 years old where enormous old stumps with spring board notches visible through the new growth. The trails and the park entrance on Miller Bay Road are maintained by the Stewardship Group with assistance from the NKTA.

Directions: The North Kitsap Heritage Park is located between Indianola and Kingston. The main entrance is located on the east side of Miller Bay Road, a mile north of Indianola Road and a mile south of West Kingston Road. To map this on your computer, use the search address of 24616 Miller Bay Road NE, Poulsbo. Cars should park in the parking area at the entrance. Questions? Contact Dave Haley at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Port Gamble Bay Sunset Paddle:
NKTA is hosting a Port Gamble Bay evening kayak paddle on June 4, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Launch is at Port Gamble Beach with kayaks and equipment provided by Olympic Outdoor Center. This sunset paddle offers wildlife viewing (seals, eagles, and other wildlife) in the setting of spectacular mountain, bay and woodlands views. Join this tour for a fun, relaxing and unique experience. This event is open to adults and youth (7 and older), and is FREE.

Directions: Port Gamble Beach is near the Port Gamble General Store in Port Gamble. Questions? Call Olympic Outdoor Center at 360-297-4659 to RSVP or ask questions.

Trails Are Important to Our Community:
Since 1993, the first Saturday of every June is known as National Trails Day, inspiring the public and trail enthusiasts nationwide to seek out, discover, learn about, and celebrate America's trail system. Trails are a great way to get people outdoors and increase activity. They allow for exploration, and recreation. Users can wander in solitude and find peace and tranquility or meet up with friends for a social activity.

Trails are also a great way to increase one’s health. Whether you walk, jog, or bike, moving around will get the heart pumping, muscles flexing, and lungs expanding. With obesity rates on the rise, trails not only bring about an inexpensive way to exercise, they also do so in a serene and calming environment.

While trails are for enjoyment, it is sometimes easy to forget just how many hours of planning, labor, and negotiating it takes to develop them. National Trails Day is the only nationwide celebration of trails, bringing recognition and thanks to the many works, volunteers, and partners for their support and hard work.

NKTA is Building, Maintaining and Creating New Trails:
Locally, NKTA volunteers are using recently gathered public input to create a "String of Pearls" Trail System. The vision is using multi-use land and water trails as the string to connect the Pearls (North Kitsap communities) with schools, markets, ferries, busses open spaces, forest lands, wildlife habitats and corridors, public recreation areas, done in a way that will facilitate transportation, preserve natural settings, encourage eco-tourism, enhance our economy and offer additional recreation and fitness options for North Kitsap residents and visitors. A link is possible with the Olympic Discovery Trail in Clallam and Jefferson Counties and the Cross State Trail Corridor that now links Seattle to the Idaho border.

Strong public support for a North Kitsap area trail system is evidenced by data recently gathered when over 400 local citizens provided their opinions in 27 meetings hosted by the NKTA. The results were that 94% of the 700 people answering a survey see a trail system as important to the quality of life in the North Kitsap area. Over 80% said they would exercise weekly if a trails system was available. NKTA is moving forward to complete a comprehensive North Kitsap Trail Plan that will it hopes will be adopted in the Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan.

As part of this trails planning, NKTA is seeking to work with the cooperation and support of the Olympic Property Group, community partners and public agencies to take advantage of the potential opportunity presented by the Olympic Property Group’s North Kitsap holdings of large blocks of wooded and open spaces, including a 4000 acre parcel south of Port Gamble.

The North Kitsap Trail Association is an all-volunteer non-profit organization working to plan, build and maintain a neighborhood and regional system of land and water trails which promotes stewardship of natural resources and enhances our communities. Many of its members, and their hard work, were critical to the recent opening of the North Kitsap Heritage Park, a 450 acre woodlands now with miles of hiking and biking paths. The members recognize that outdoor activities and amenities are critical to all demographic groups - children and parents, singles and retirees - all of whom are increasingly drawn to healthy and satisfying outdoor options where they live. The NKTA is working to make sure that Kitsap citizens’ voices are heard and acted on when trail, greenspace and related transportation issues arise. You can help NKTA with its efforts by becoming a member, making a donation, and volunteering your expertise or labor. Contact NKTA to let them know how you can help with this important undertaking for the community.