In partnership with The Mountaineers "50 Trail Runs in Washington" by Cheri Pompeo Gillis The first comprehensive regional guide to the most beautiful and challenging places to trail run throughout Washington state. Paperback, April 2002 - 240 pages $16.95 For more trail runs, buy the book now. More Mountaineers books

Trail description: In the middle of the busy Eastside is a 482-acre, second-growth forest park crisscrossed with more than 28 miles of trail. The trails are well maintained, wide and gently sloped. Except on the park's outside edges, you'd never know you weren't deep in the forest.

Start with the 4.8-mile loop trail around the park's outer perimeter. The loop starts at the shelter by a big horse ring. From the shelter, head out the driveway and take the trail to the right. This trail has gradual climbs as it heads north through the woods paralleling 116th Avenue N.E. In 0.4 mile the trail turns to the east. The hill here has one of the few 50-foot rises on the perimeter trail. The trail generally heads east for the next mile, following Northeast 60th Street at times while skirting residential areas.

To follow the perimeter trail in a clockwise direction, stay to the left whenever a choice is offered and use the park boundary (sometimes fenced or a street) as your extreme left margin. At about 1.3 miles, you will come out to the powerline clearing and a smaller equestrian ring called Little Ring. Angle slightly to the right while crossing the powerline area, picking up the trail on the other side as it continues east.

The trail will take a sharp right turn in the park's northeast corner. In a few minutes, take a quick left up the second 50-foot climb. The trail now parallels 132nd Avenue Northeast, which forms the park's eastern boundary.

In 0.7 mile there is a sharp left, followed by a sharp right to keep you on the perimeter of the park. You'll see several stables as you near the south end. Turn right and follow the gently sloping trail down through some chest-high brush. This is followed by several short climbs on the trail, which now heads west. Go straight across the powerline road and re-enter the trail.

The trail again has a gentle downward slope in this area. Stay on this main trail and do not take the trails to the left. They lead out of the park into residential areas. In 0.4 mile you will intercept a wider trail. Turn left and follow this all the way to the parking area by the big ring. The increasing sound of Interstate 405 confirms that you are approaching the starting point.

Directions: From Interstate 405 take Exit 17, which is just north of SR 520. If approaching from the south, after the exit take an immediate right onto 116th Avenue. From the north, turn right onto 72nd Street and go over the freeway. As 72nd turns into 70th, take the immediate right going south on 116th Avenue. Continue south to Northeast 53rd Street. The park entrance will be on your left. A large parking lot is to the right of the big horse ring.