Head to the Coast for Low Elevation Spring Hikes 

Get a jumpstart on the summer hiking season by heading west to the Washington coast for some spectacular low-elevation hikes that offer stunning views with no special snow gear required.

Oyster Dome Trail 

Oyster Dome Trail is one of the area’s most popular hikes and for good reason. Located in the Chuckanut Mountains where the Cascades meet Samish Bay, this 6+ mile hike has it all: views, challenging terrain, boulders, and glimpses of wildlife. The difficult hike is worth the trip. At the top you can catch views of the San Juan Islands, Olympic mountains, and you can see all the way to Vancouver Island on a clear day.

Leadbetter Point Loop Hiking Trail

Located on the northern tip of the 28-mile Long Beach Peninsula, the Leadbetter Point Loop Hiking Trail is the perfect place to go if you are looking to get away from it all. Leadbetter Point is a protected habitat as part of the Willapa Bay National Wildlife Refuge and is home to the endangered snowy plover. This 3.8-mile loop weaves through sand dunes, tidal flats and dense brush forest.

Cape Disappointment 

Cape Disappointment is in the most southwestern part of the state where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. At this state park, visitors will find many trails to hike including the Cape Disappointment North Head Trail. At just over 3 miles out and back, hikers can spot views of the majestic coastline and the Cape Disappointment lighthouse. This hike is ideal during the months of May through October as the trail can get muddy in the winter months. Leashed dogs are allowed on this hike, and a Discover Pass is required for visiting the park. www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043

Five Reasons to Check out the Green River Gorge this Year | Ten Trails News and Blog

Ten Trails residents enjoy an active lifestyle close to outdoor activities and area recreational destinations like the nearby Green River Gorge. Read more to find out five reasons you should explore this local conservation site this year!

Search for Local Wildlife

The Green River Gorge is home to abundant wildlife like deer, elk, and black bear. Bald eagles have also been spotted in the area, and Chinook salmon use the Green River as their spawning grounds in the fall.

Hike the Hanging Gardens Trail

The 150-foot white sandstone cliffs of the Green River Gorge are home to native plants and some small cedar trees which cling to the cliff’s edge and give the Hanging Gardens Trail its name. Access to the trail is tricky as the trailhead is unmarked. Hikers can look for the red gate on the north side of Enumclaw/Franklin Road SE and take a short walk down the road to a primitive trail that leads down to the Green River and offers views of the cliff gardens.

Go Tubing on the Green River

In the summer months, the Green River is a popular tubing site for locals who are looking for some relief from the heat. Popular tubing routes are from Flaming Geyser Park to the SR18 Bridge (2.5 hours) or from Flaming Geyser to Whitney Bridge (45 minutes.) Be sure to wear a life vest and keep an eye out for local kayakers who are also known to spend time navigating these portions of the river.

View the Maid of the Mist Falls

Also commonly known as the “Green River Gorge Falls” the 50-foot Maid of the Mist waterfall is clearly visible with just a short hike from the historic Franklin Ghost Town trail. The trail is part of privately-owned land, but the public is welcome to visit the falls and tour the Franklin Ghost Town trail for a $5 fee.

Search for Fossils and Petrified Wood 

The Green River has been known to wash up the ancient remains of plant and wildlife and visitors to the Green River Gorge have come across fossils and petrified wood while strolling the riverbanks. Bring the kids and let them have a blast playing archaeologist for the day while hunting for prehistoric treasures. 360.469.4043 www.TenTrails.com  

Visit the Nearby Black Diamond Library

The Black Diamond Library is a wonderful local resource for residents of Ten Trails, and is located within walking or biking distance from the community via the new Roberts Drive Rock Creek Bridge. The library provides programs for children and families, art workshops, and Family Story Time events on select Mondays throughout the year.

Origin of the Black Diamond Library

The City of Black Diamond has had a library in one form or another since 1917, when volunteers gathered book donations and began a library in a small room in the old Pacific Coast Hotel. As the donations increased and space became limited, the library had to be moved to the nearby former railroad depot which today is known as the Black Diamond Historical Museum Depot.

Historical Timeline for the Black Diamond Library

During WWII, the library had to shut down due to lack of volunteers available to run it. To help ensure the residents of Black Diamond still had access to books, the King County Rural Library District (known today as the King County Library System) began offering mobile book lending services twice a month to residents. The library reopened in June of 1945 in the old depot building with new books and was designated as a branch of the King County Rural Library District. The library remained at the depot for 12 more years until it was relocated to a small cottage on Lawson Street. There it remained until 1968 when it was moved to the city’s new municipal building. The library was fully annexed into the King County Library System in 1990 and operated out of a leased space from 1991 until the new building that exists today was opened in 2008.

Black Diamond Library Today 

Today, the Black Diamond library is located at 24707 Roberts Drive, just shy of one mile from the Willow Avenue entrance to Ten Trails. The beautiful new building was designed by architects at the Miller Hull Partnership to reflect the late 19^th century architecture that is predominant in the city. On a clear day, the library offers stunning views of Mount Rainier from the main reading area.

Friends of the Black Diamond Library 

Residents of Ten Trails are encouraged to get involved with their local library. The Friends of the Black Diamond Library group meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 5pm in the library’s conference room. Dues are $5, and the group holds fundraisers throughout the year to benefit the library including the annual book sale and an annual plant sale held on the first Saturday each May. The library is having a book sale this Thursday, October 17^th from 10 am to 6 pm. Purchase used books, videos and CDs at bargain prices to help support library programming throughout the year. www.TenTrails.com 360-469-4043

Head to the Black Diamond Miner’s Day Festival this Weekend

Ten Trails families looking for a fun activity to do this weekend can head to nearby downtown, historic Black Diamond on Saturday, July 13^th to take part in their annual Miner’s Day festival! The event kicks off at 9 am with a 5k race that begins with the sound of the historic coal mining siren. Fun activities will be held throughout the day, with entertainment for all ages including a donut-eating contest held at 11:30 am. For a full festival schedule, visit the Black Diamond Miner’s Day festival website.

Women’s Suffrage Theme

The theme of this year’s Miner’s Day is “Women’s Suffrage Centennial” to commemorate the 100-year anniversary that women were given the right to vote. The festival’s traditional fashion show will give a nod to the theme with many examples of women’s attire in the early 1900’s, along with a women’s suffrage skit that will take place at noon.

Stop by our Ten Trails Tent

Don’t forget to visit our Ten Trails tent at Miner’s Day to learn more about the community, meet our friendly team and grab some Ten Trails giveaways! www.TenTrails.com 360-469-4043

Read all the latest news and information on this new master-planned community, located in Southeast King County! Featuring new single family homes, modern duplexes townhomes, parks, trails and a retail village!  

Discover Local History when you Visit the Nearby Coal Miners’ Honor Garden

Ten Trails residents can discover more about their city’s rich history at the local Black Diamond Historical Depot Museum, which is located just minutes from the community at 32627 Railroad Ave, Black Diamond, WA 98010. The museum is open Thursdays from 9 am to 4 pm, and weekends from noon to 3 pm. The museum’s weekend hours after Memorial Day to Labor Day are from noon to 4 pm.  While there, be sure to check out the outdoor Coal Miners’ Honor Garden, which commemorates former Washington state coal miners.

Memorial Wall and Statue

Inspired by a coal miner memorial statue in Roslyn, WA, the Black Diamond Coal Miners’ Honor Garden and beautiful bronze miner statue were dedicated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in summer 2013. One of the most visually-striking aspects of the memorial is the large, 28-foot granite wall that lists more than 1100 names of miners who perished in the coal mines of Washington State, including a list of unknown miners. In front of the wall sits a life-size bronze miner’s statue that was created by artist Paul Crites of Ellensburg, WA. The statue includes gorgeous fine details like a patina meant to depict the coal dust that typically covered miners during their work.

Honor Garden

The memorial also has a garden of flowers and plants around it that were planted by late local resident, Katherine Daniels, and is now maintained by Jane Falding. Nearby are four granite benches for visitors to use to sit and admire the memorial, or to simply enjoy watching the passers-by in downtown Black Diamond’s charming historic setting. Visitors may notice that around the base of the wall and statue are inscribed brick pavers. These donated pavers help maintain the upkeep of the Honor Garden and can be purchased through the museum. For more information about the Coal Miners” Honor Garden, contact the Black Diamond Museum Depot at 360-886-2142

Why Choose Ten Trails for Your New Hometown? 

Ten Trails is a new master-planned community with a family-friendly lifestyle. More than just a community, we are a destination for active families! Our community offers a unique lifestyle that is unparalleled in the Puget Sound region. With a prime location, minutes from regional recreation activities and area jobs, and countless community amenities, Ten Trails has everything you need for your family’s New Hometown!

Lifestyle 

First and foremost, Ten Trails offers a unique lifestyle for active families. Many of the region’s most sought-after recreational activities can be found right within the community, or just minutes away. Our community’s shared amenities like our neighborhood fire pits, seating areas and parks promote socialization and connection with neighbors. Outdoor activities like hiking, mountain-biking, swimming, kayaking and canoeing are all located right outside of the community.

 

Amenities 

Secondly, Ten Trails offers miles of walking, biking and nature trails that connect neighborhoods, parks, green spaces, schools, and the retail center. Neighbors can join one another for a stroll, and kids can safely ride their bikes to parks and future schools. The community’s spectacular parks offer majestic views of the Cascades and Mt. Rainier, and have space designated for summer concerts, festivals and movie nights. Enjoy basketball, a zip line, bocce ball, a jungle gym and playground all right within Ten Trails. Ten Trails also features a convenient retail shopping plaza located right by the entrance to the community. Residents will have quick and easy access to stores and businesses for day-to-day errands, entertainment and dining.

Beautiful Homes from Award-Winning Builders

In addition, Ten Trails offers gorgeous homes from both regional and national builders. Conner Homes and Lennar are currently building in the community, and builders, Ichijo, Rudd and Richland American plan to break ground in Ten Trails by the end of 2018. We will offer every type of home in the community, so there’s something to suit every family’s needs.

Community 

Most importantly, as a Ten Trails resident, you will be part of an emerging, unique community while also being a resident of historic Black Diamond. The City of Black Diamond offers endless natural beauty, rich history and a quaint downtown commercial district. Be part of a close-knit community while enjoying getting to know your new friends and neighbors in Ten Trails! Take a stroll, through Black Diamond’s charming historic downtown, enjoy treats from the historic Black Diamond Bakery, go antique shopping, visit a nearby pick-your-own farm, learn the regional’s rich history at the Black Diamond Museum, and take part in annual festivals like Miner’s Day and Labor Days.

 

Location

Finally, Ten Trails enjoys a prime location, nestled among natural beauty, and close to popular recreation destinations. Because residents have easy access to public transportation, shopping, dining and the region’s jobs, finding things to do and access to work is a breeze in this new community. www.TenTrails.com 360-469-4043