Shoreview and Boeing Creek Parks

A hike with a creek, small waterfall and a hidden lake, and it’s less than 20 minutes from North Seattle - what’s not to like? Shoreview and Boeing Creek Parks have a number of short loop trails that intersect, allowing you to string together hikes of varying length that run through a nice forest.

There are a number of different entrances to the parks and trails, but I opted for the Boeing Creek Park entrance on the North side. It was a short walk on the Pond Loop Trail, before I peeled off into the forest on the Boeing Loop Trail, which was flat for a while before descending down into a ravine. On the way down I passed a large Douglas Fir tree, which had a plaque at the bottom, with information about the tree (200 feet tall and 231 inches in circumference) and Doug Firs in general.

Start of the Boeing Creek Loop Trail

Boeing Creek Loop Trail

Large Douglas Fir tree on the way down to Boeing Creek

Upon reaching Boeing Creek, there was an interesting creek crossing, consisting of a series of stones in the water. They were fairly evenly spaced, and I was able to get across without getting wet. I was now on the Hidden Lake Loop Trail, and I had to double check my location on my phone to make sure I was still on the trail as it looked more sporty than I was expecting. There are a number of washouts along the trail, and I had to scurry up the side of the hill to get through a couple of spots. I imagine in mid summer the creek might run low, and you can walk along the creek bed, but not today. It’s not particularly difficult, but not a trail you want to go on if you are expecting a nice flat wide trail. There were even a couple of tiny waterfalls along the way.

Boeing Creek Crossing

Small waterfall along Hidden Lake Loop Trail

Washed out section of the Hidden Lake Loop Trail

I reached Hidden Lake and upon walking up to the shore a group of Mallard ducks began swimming towards me. They were obviously used to humans giving them food - sorry ducks, not today. I found out after the trip that Hidden Lake was created as a private fishing pond by damming Boeing Creek in 1920, and the City of Shoreline is looking at removing the dam and trying to restore the area, as the pond keeps filling with sediment.

Hidden Lake, which is really a pond

Mallard ducks looking for handouts

After the pond it was a short hike up a hill and then the trail levelled out again and contoured around the Shoreview park in a somewhat open area with Madrona trees, before returning back into the forest. I passed through a couple of trail junctions and didn’t pay much attention to the signage until I realized I was on the Forest Loop trail and heading away from where I wanted to go. I was able to find a side trail which eventually took me back to the Boeing Creek Loop Trail.

Pacific Madrone (Madrona) Tree

Steps heading up

Almost to the Forest Trail

I crossed a dry creek bed and followed the Boeing Creek Loop trail back towards the car. I passed another huge Douglas Fir tree, and this one was apparently a Wolf Tree, which means they spread out and dominate the area. There were a number of side paths, a couple of which I took, but they all headed in the same direction and eventually I was back on the Pond Loop Trail and it didn’t take long to reach my car.

Steps down through the dry creek bed

Wolf Tree - Douglas Fir

A nice hike that is close to Seattle, or at least North Seattle where I live.