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

Hike the Nearby Summit Ridge Trails

Nearby Summit Ridge offers an easygoing six-mile loop for hikers of all skill levels. While the trail is often used for mountain biking, you may see some horseback riders along the way as the path intersects with trails that connect to Henry’s Ridge and Lake Sawyer Regional Park.

Mountain Biking at Summit Ridge

The cross-country trails at Summit Ridge feature many runs for mountain biking. Most are twisty and technical trails with numerous bridges, log rides and ladders. The sight lines are good for watching out for other riders, and there is also a flow park with lines suitable for beginning, intermediate and advanced riders. The trails also connect with other cross-country trails at Black Diamond Open Space.

Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance 

Many of the trails at Summit Ridge are maintained by the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the nation’s largest statewide mountain bike association. Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance represents thousands of riders through eight regional chapters and is committed to sustainable recreation, trail maintenance, advocacy, education, volunteerism, and trail building.

Logging Trails Along the Ridge

The uppermost logging road trails up along Summit Ridge offer sweeping views of the Cascades and are less shaded than the lower trails, making them ideal for early spring hikes and catching the afternoon sunlight. www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043  

Visit Nearby Lake Sawyer Regional Park for Spectacular Walking Trails

Located less than three miles from Ten Trails, Lake Sawyer Regional Park boasts some of the area’s best walking pathways! The newly-expanded trail system connects to Black Diamond Open Space which, in turn, connects to Henry’s Ridge and Summit Ridge. Avid mountain bikers or hikers who live in Ten Trails can spend a day exploring trails just outside their doorstep!

Lake Sawyer Trails

The Lake Sawyer mountain bike trail system is located in the area on the west side of Hwy 169 in Black Diamond adjacent to a mix of private property and King County Parks land. Used primarily for mountain biking, the trails consist of a mix of ladder bridges, drops and other free-ride obstacles. If you are looking for easy walking trails, access the park from the parking lot on Lake Sawyer Road Southeast. Here, residents can get to the park via a wooded trail that leads out to open space, picnic areas, and the lake itself.

Lake Sawyer Boating and Fishing

Lake Sawyer is King County’s fourth largest natural lake, and is used primarily for boating, water skiing, swimming, and fishing. The lake’s public boat ramp can be accessed via Lake Sawyer Road Southeast and visitors pay just a $5 parking fee. Launch motorboats or kayaks for a day spent enjoying spectacular views of Mount Rainier from these calm waters. www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043        

Visit Ten Trails and Take Part in our Community Scavenger Hunt 

Since most of us will not be able to take any beach vacations this summer, we thought we would bring some beach-y fun to Ten Trails! We are hosting a weekly Scavenger Hunt contest throughout the month of August! Each week, find the hidden Flamingo Gnome somewhere at Ten Trails, take a socially distanced selfie with it, and send your photo to info@tentrails.com. Your emailed photo automatically enters you to win a  $50 gift card for local takeout!

New Hiding Spot Each Week 

Our beach-loving gnome will have a new hiding spot each week within the community! Look for it on your next stroll through the community and keep in mind he will be hidden somewhere within the community common areas – that is our parks, trails, rain gardens, fire pits, and community pathways. We ask that in order for this hunt to be as safe as possible, participants maintain social distancing when looking for the gnome, and avoid picking up or moving him when taking a selfie.

How to Enter to Win

Submit your photos by 5pm each Monday in August. We will randomly select a winner for the contest and announce it Wednesday on our Facebook page, @TenTrails. Be sure to follow us so you don’t miss out on any contest updates! 360.469.4043 www.TenTrails.com      

Five Nearby Hiking Trails to Check out This Spring

Some state-managed parks, wildlife areas, recreation land, boat launches, and natural areas will reopen for day-use activities on May 5, along with some trails and parks managed by the Department of Natural Resources, meaning Ten Trails residents can get back to spending more time in the great outdoors! If you and your family are looking for some picturesque nearby hikes for varying levels of ability, we have provided a few to explore. The Washington Trails Association has provided a thorough list of helpful tips for families who are looking to recreate responsibility. Please visit their website prior to embarking on your hike to review the tips, and be prepared that there’s a chance that some hiking trails and facilities may be closed when you arrive.

South Access Road | Issaquah Alps

The South Access Road Trail is the most direct route to summit Squak Mountain. This nearby mountain is one of the few places left in King County where visitors can walk through a preserved mountain rainforest. Because the land was privately owned for many years, much of the old growth forest remains and can be observed from the trail. The South Access Road Trail is 5.5 miles in length with an elevation gain of 1,606 feet.

Little Si Trail

Short but offering spectacular views, Little Si is the companion trail to the longer and steeper, Mount Si Trail. Little Si is 3.7 miles in length with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet. The rocky trail is popular with local hikers and is best accessed early in the morning to avoid crowds. Like with all Washington State trails, visitors need to display a Washington Trails Discover Pass on their vehicle when parking to hike Little Si.

Tiger Mountain Trail

Tiger Mountain Trail encompasses 15 miles of trail that extends from north to south through the Tiger Mountains with many cross trails to explore. Ten Trails families can spend days exploring the trails and its many hidden gems like Lone Rock, Custer’s Bridge and Wally’s Glen. Make a fun family game out of spotting local wildlife or counting the trail’s many small bridges and creeks.

Chybinski Loop Trail 

Chybinski Loop Trail is located in the Squak Mountain/Cougar Mountain corridor. The trail is 7.7 miles total roundtrip with an elevation gain of 2,100 feet. Hikers looking for a longer loop can also access nearby trails like the Bullitt Fireplace Trail or the Coal Mine Trail. No passes or entry fees are required to access this trail.

May Valley Loop 

Located just outside of Issaquah in the Issaquah Alps, May Valley Loop Trail offers hikers gorgeous views of the city’s downtown. The trail connects with Squak Mountain State Park which features a .3 mile Pretzel Tree Trail that is perfect for little kids to explore with signs that provide a self-guided interpretive walk about the surrounding ecosystem. www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043  

Small Details Make a Big Difference in the New Master Planned Community, Ten Trails 

Ten Trails’ developer, Oakpointe Communities, has been creating communities in the Puget Sound region for more than 30 years. It is their attention to detail that helps create a quality of life that sets Oakpointe’s neighborhoods apart from all the rest. At Ten Trails, decades of careful planning have gone into creating what is the fastest growing master planned community in King County.

Detailed Landscape Planning

The entire community of Ten Trails is beautifully-landscaped by Pacific Landscape Management. Native and drought-tolerant plants line the community’s many paved walkways, and flower beds with seasonal varieties of flowers that bring year-round color to the community. The community’s many flowering trees create a stunning show in the early spring months, and the late autumn leaf color change creates a beautiful backdrop and welcoming transition to fall.

Comprehensive Trail Plan

Ten Trails has miles of trails for residents to use for biking, walking or jogging. Our nature trails weave through forested areas of the community and were created sustainably using recycled chipped wood. Newer trails will connect future development in the community including the upcoming Retail Village with additional plans to connect the community trails to the proposed King County Green to Cedar River Trail Southern Extension.

Planned Connectivity for Modern Living

Now more than ever before, working from home has become a common practice for many professionals, and Ten Trails has the connectivity residents need to conduct business from the comfort of their home office. Every home in the community is wired for 1 gigabyte speed internet through Wave. The 1-gig internet service at Ten Trails provides downloads and uploads up to 1,000 Mbps, with fast performance and streaming. There are no data caps included with your service, so feel free to surf and stream on multiple devices, appliances and security systems throughout your home.

Ten Trails is Beautiful Black Diamond, WA 

Ten Trails is located in southeastern King County, barely 30 miles from Seattle in beautiful Black Diamond, WA. Take a drive through the community and see for yourself how all the many small details come together to create a one-of-kind new home community. 360-469-4043 www.TenTrails.com  

Explore the Ten Trails Community Trails

Residents of Ten Trails can enjoy exploring community trails located just outside their doorsteps. When complete, the community will have countless trails that connect neighborhoods and give plenty of space to wander through the protected forests.

Miles of Walking, Biking and Nature Trails

Ten Trails has bike lanes throughout the community’s streets as well as many paved pathways perfect for biking, jogging or walking. We have miles of trails to explore that connect our parks, residential areas, and upcoming retail village, as well as well as nature paths that wander through the trees surrounding our community.

Ten Trails is not Just a Name

The community’s name, “Ten Trails” refers to the fact that, when complete, the community will have at least ten distinctly different trails for residents to use. These may include nature trails, fitness trails, a children’s trail and more!

Easy Access to Area Trails

Ten Trails is also conveniently located just a short drive from some of the area’s finest hiking trails. A short drive north of the community, residents can find countless hiking trails in the Cascades along the I-90 corridor. Head south to Enumclaw or further to Mount Rainier National Park for even more hiking opportunities. 360.469.4043 www.TenTrails.com    

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!  

Ten Trails Offers Residents Top-Notch Community Amenities

One of the huge benefits of living in a master planned community is access to community amenities! At Ten Trails, we have a wide variety of amenities to suit residents of every age. From playgrounds to fire pits, our residents have their pick of community features to enhance their lifestyle!

Community Playgrounds 

Ten Trails has a number of parks integrated throughout the community. One of the main community parks, our Civic Park, boasts a huge playground with a basket swing, jungle gym, zip-line and dual slide built into a beautifully landscaped hill.

Paths and Trails

Ten Trails has bike lanes throughout the community’s streets as well as a number of paved pathways perfect for biking! We have miles of trails to explore that connect our parks, residential areas, and upcoming retail village, as well as nature paths that wander through protected forests.

True 1-Gig Internet 

Ten Trails has the connectivity and infrastructure that residents need for personal, work technology, and home office requirements. Every home in the community is wired for 1 gigabyte speed internet through Wave! The 1-gig internet service at Ten Trails provides downloads and uploads up to 1,000 Mbps, with fast performance and streaming. There are no data caps included with your service, so feel free to surf and stream on multiple devices throughout your home. We also offer free Wi-Fi in our Civic Park so you can stay connected while enjoying some playtime.

Sports Courts

Our community is a sports-lovers dream! Our Civic Park has a large sports court with two basketball hoops as well as two bocce ball courts. Homes in Lennar’s East Village Collection are close to our Ten Trails outdoor ping pong table. We have plans to add even more sports amenities to future phases of the community.

Community Gathering 

Ten Trails has a number of amenities that bring together members of our community like our Civic Park performance pavilion which is the site of musical performances and more at our summer Hometown Social events. We also have community fire pits located throughout the residential areas and parks, picnic tables, and we will have future community pea patches. We are adding more amenities as the community grows! Stop by Ten Trails soon to see them for yourself! www.TenTrails.com 360-469-4043

Five of the Area’s Best Spring Mountain Bike Rides 

Did you know that mountain bikers from all over the Pacific Northwest flock to this area for a world-class riding experience? The region between Issaquah and Black Diamond is a mecca for mountain biking at all ability levels. We are fortunate to have these opportunities right outside our doorstep! Here are some of the most popular local trail systems for your springtime ride.

Lake Sawyer Trails 

The Lake Sawyer bike system is  located the area on the west side of Hwy 169 in Black Diamond,  on a mix of private property and King County Parks land. It consists of a web of cross-country trails including some ladder bridges, drops, and other free-ride obstacles with plenty of tight and twisty single-track routes. You won’t find hard climbs here, but there are a few shorter, steep climbs covered in tree roots. As well as some scenic viewpoints. The Lake Sawyer trail network connects to Black Diamond Open Space, Summit Ridge, and Henry’s Ridge.

Henry’s Ridge Natural Area

The official King County name for the Henry’s Ridge Natural Area Trail is the Maple Ridge Highlands Open Space Trail.  In Maple Valley, this network of trails is similar to the Lake Sawyer system with more climbing and descending. This is a suitable spring ride because it boasts good-draining soil and tree cover, keeping the trails from getting too muddy. There are currently eight miles of trails with new trails coming soon.

Black Diamond Open Space Trails 

On the north end of Black Diamond near Maple Valley, Black Diamond Open Space is 1,240 acres of popular riding trails. You’ll find the area’s parking lot on the east side of Hwy 169. Less technical and more flat than other local parks, this is the most family-friendly ride on this list.

Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park 

Duthie Hill Park in nearby Issaquah consists of 136 acres in a thick evergreen forest on the Sammamish Plateau. It was designed specifically for mountain-biking and is the most-visited mountain bike trail system in the state. The park offers several activity options including technical free-ride trails and XC trails that can be connected into a 5-mile loop. Technical riders will enjoy the progressive jump lines and skill-building features like drops of varying heights, tables and step-down jumps. Although beginners are welcome at Duthie, moderate and advanced riders will love this park!

Tiger Mountain

Tiger mountain offers 12 miles of intermediate to advanced trails plus some fire roads. Riders usually begin by taking the fire road up 3.5 miles to the East Tiger summit then descend via single-track or take a loop on the lower mountain. The climb to the summit takes a lot of effort and is considered quite challenging but worth the Mt. Rainier view on clear days.

Learn More about Nearby Mountain Biking

The Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance is a great resource for all things mountain biking. Visit this site to learn about these rides and all the others in Washington. This is where you can find maps and directions to help you find your next spring mountain bike adventure…Have fun! 360-469-4043 www.TenTrails.com