Pt. Defiance Trail

Offering 20+ miles of trails, Pt. Defiance Park in Ruston is a unique treasure for trail running. Given the 30 degree weather at home, I drove down to get my first semi-long run since the end of October. The loop around the park is about 5 miles, so I ended up doubling back to make 8 miles. From some maps I have seen online it looks to be about 500 feet of elevation gain and loss over the whole loop. I am not super familiar with the trail markings, a series of white triangles, squares and circles, but there is really no way to get lost. The map is nice to look at before you go, but not essential. The shapes correspond (as I guessed) to outer and inner loops with some connections that go out like spokes of wheel as you look at it on the map. The trail system zigs and zags - it is funny to come to a junction and see someone else whiz by going at a perpendicular route. I saw no less than 5 groups of runners and a few people jogging solo during the afternoon.

What I think is the coolest part of the trail system is the great big douglas firs. About five people chained together could hug the biggest of them. There are some spectacular views of the Sound as well. It was pretty muddy in spots, and my legs were good and speckled by the time I returned to the car. Another nice perk of running out there is to drive along Ruston Way and grab some chowder on the water. Some of the best stuff I have ever had.