Don’t Let the Snow and Cold Weather Keep you from Enjoying Some Wonderful Hikes at Gazzam Lake, the Arbor Trail and Sakai Park

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Our current cold weather snap reminds us that it’s a good time to venture outside in the crisp winter air and take in some of our parklands both old and new. The snow will melt soon, and opportunities for taking forays into the “wild” will abound.

One of our favorites is the Gazzam Lake Nature Preserve, located on Marshall Road, just off of Fletcher Bay Road near the island’s geographic center. It’s about 3.5 miles from Downtown Winslow.

This amazing chunk of land – 312 acres​ in circumference  (444 acres if you include adjoining parkland)​ ​— is by far the largest wildlife preserve on Bainbridge Island. It has any number of beautiful trails that take you past forests of older growth Douglas Fir and Red Cedar, or along groves of Sword Ferns blowing in the wind. On some trails, you will find yourself gawking at 100-year-old and 100-foot-tall big leaf maples covered with moss.

Moss, in all its green glory, is everywhere at Gazzam. Hanging off of arch-like branches, growing up the sides of huge trees, decorating stands of Alders, covering roots and deadfalls as you walk along. The loop trail  https://biparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/trails_gazzam_web_map060118.pdf  is where you will find some of the oldest trees in the woods, and also where you can veer off and take a look-see at Gazzam Lake.

Meaning no offense here, but having grown up in the Fingers Lake Region of Upstate New York, Gazzam looks more like a pond than what we back easterners would define as lake, but we understand local geography, and to many folks who grew up here, this is indeed a lake.  Along those same lines, however, while we’re certainly not scientists, it does appear that Gazzam will eventually give in to the ravages of time and “eutrophy” into a meadow.

Gazzam’s Main Trail wends its way north and south and connects to several others, such as the Springridge Trail, the Knudsen Trail and Westwood Shore Trail to the north, and the Peter’s Trail, and the Veterane Trail to the south. Many of these trails lead to views of Liberty Bay to the west, or eventually take you to Schel Chelb Park on distant Point White Drive. We found the Springridge Trail, in particular, to have beautiful older trees and plenty of interesting moss hangings.

In case you were wondering, the Gazzam Lake Nature Preserve was acquired in 1995 from the late Alan Black , according to The Friends of Gazzam Lake, at far below its market rate with the help of a $1.25 million grant from Washington state for wildlife preservation. The Friends intended it as a wildlife sanctuary, reflected in its first name: ​Gazzam Lake Park and Wildlife Preserve. A ​committee of citizens planned it for passive recreation ​— hiking and quiet appreciation of nature​ ​— unlike active-recreation parks elsewhere on Bainbridge.

To this day, its conservation easement forbids creating new trails, walking off established trails, letting dogs off leash, using an electric vehicle such as an electric bike unless you​’re handicapped, and other restrictions. The easement was written ​“…to assure that the Property will remain forever as scenic area, forestland, watershed, wetlands, and wildlife habitat.”

Meantime, the opening of the new Arbor Trail, linking Dolphin Drive/Agate Loop with West Port Madison Road, was celebrated this past Saturday as the first-ever pedestrian connection between the two neighborhoods.  The winding wooded trail, one-half mile in length, is a partnership of the Parks & Trails Foundation and Bloedel Reserve. https://bloedelreserve.org/

 Trail planning and construction were funded by gifts through the Parks & Trails Foundation. It is the first of four new trails to be completed under the Foundation’s Trails Connect Bainbridge Island campaign. 

 Bloedel Reserve granted an easement along its west boundary to create the Arbor Trail. The trail was named to honor the Arbor Foundation, the Reserve’s original funder when it opened to the public as a nonprofit public garden in 1988.  

 The trail has been transferred to the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District for upkeep and maintenance.  

“These neighborhoods, West Port Madison and Agate Loop, have always been back-to-back as the crow flies but never linked safely by foot,” said Mary Meier, Parks & Trails Foundation executive director. “The Arbor Trail opens up great new opportunities for safe, healthy walks in all seasons. We’ve already heard how the trail has transformed the neighborhoods, and we know it’s true.”  

 The celebration included a ribbon cutting on the trail and a reception at Bloedel Reserve. 

 “We are honored to partner on this beautiful new trail serving our neighborhood,” said Evan Meyer, President & CEO of Bloedel Reserve. “The Arbor Trail strengthens connections between our community and the vibrant forests of the Pacific Northwest, a goal deeply aligned with Bloedel Reserve’s mission.” 

The path is designed as a local connector for the neighborhoods, as opposed to a destination trail. There is no parking at either end.  Learn more about the Arbor Trail and the Trails Connect Bainbridge Island campaign at www.biparksfoundation.org/build-trails.

Another fun winter, or all season hike, can be found at Sakai Park, across from Ordway Elementary School, where Pia is located. While this is not a large park, by any means, is centrally located and includes trails wending their way through some nice forests, with lots of Alder trees. The trail passes Sakai Pond – frozen over when we visited yesterday – and eventually makes its way over some well constructed bridges to a path leading to the corner of Highway 305 and High School Road.

Whatever you do, dress warm, walk carefully, and know that the snow will melt, and spring is on it’s way!

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