Dupont Loop

Spend some time away from the sounds of the city without even needing to leave the city limits on this nature loop.

The trail begins in the northeast corner of the parking lot, on the left side of City Hall, marked by a hiker sign. Follow the gravel path and soon come to a junction. Turn right here, toward the main road. Head left to walk through the underpass beneath the road. On the other side, continue straight on the wide gravel trail to continue. 

The trail is wide open here, and you’ll soon reach another junction. Continue forward toward a short wooden bridge. There is a placard here about Sequalitchew Creek, which passes under the bridge. After walking across the bridge, turn right to stay on the wide gravel path. 

Enjoy the feeling of being more in nature as the trail soon heads into the trees. In 0.5 miles, turn right at the junction, toward Grand Junction (according to the signage). From here, keep an eye out for informational placards about the vegetation in the area, such as Western Chokeberry and Poplar. Marshy wetlands of the Edmond Marsh also flank the trail here. 

In 0.3 miles, you’ll hit Grand Junction. If you’d like to take a break, Bell Marsh Park is to the left, where there are benches, picnic tables, trash cans, and a children’s play structure. If you wish to continue along the loop, turn right at the junction toward Haskell Street according to the signs.

The trail becomes more solitary and feels more remote from here, as the way winds through the trees. Look out for more placards on plant life, like ones for Western redcedar, Madrona, and Douglas Fir. 

In 0.6 miles, turn right right before the point in the trail with 3 bollard posts. The trail soon hits a wooden fence. Turn right here toward the street and turn left onto the sidewalk along Harrington Place. Immediately turn left onto Kincaid Street. This begins a short stint of neighborhood walking before heading back on a trail.

Continue along Kincaid Street for a few hundred feet, then turn right onto Hammond Avenue. Continue straight for just over 0.1 miles and the trail begins again to the right. The trail is paved from here, but meanders through trees and brush, bringing back the atmosphere of a remote trail. 

In 0.3 miles, read about the history of the Orchard Project before continuing on. The trail returns back to near the beginning of the loop in 0.2 miles, where you can turn left to head back beneath the underpass to return to the trailhead.