Wilburton Hill Park – How about that for a varied city walk? Start in the park’s eastern section and follow a network of paths for a nice loop through a gloomy second-growth forest in Bellevue. When you reach the western part of the park, take a connecting trail there to complete a loop through the Bellevue Botanical Garden, which includes both the formal gardens and some additional lengthier woodland routes. To get there, traverse a steep ravine on a high, narrow trail bridge. Too little? The park has a number of side pathways that encourage exploring, Wilburton Hill Park.
The Logging Town Of Wilburton Hill Park, Which Flourished Nearby Circa 1900
It is honored in the park’s name. Today, nothing of that town is left, and its former location has been transformed into a park where visitors may enjoy a thriving second-growth forest.
“Detailed Map of Wilburton Hill Park Trails” for the Wilburton hill park soccer field (not on the map or directions) should be selected.
You can use the map to go exploring on your own if you’d like about Wilburton Hill Park. Or, you can use this suggested itinerary, which includes some suggestions for hike extensions and delivers you to the park’s most fascinating locations.
Start at the parking lot’s northeast corner. After passing the bathrooms, continue east on the well-marked wide route for the first circle (approximately 1.5 miles). Turn left at the trail marker and follow the path that ascends a short distance before partially encircling the baseball field. Your path will soon enter a darker forest, and you will be surrounded by tall Douglas firs and deciduous trees of various heights.
You can pass by or explore the neighborhood side streets that are frequently marked offshoot trails and head out to Wilburton Hill Park. You will reach an unmarked Y while still on the main track. Here, staying to the left is the wiser course of action. You will come across more attainable side trails as you stay on the main trail. You will eventually spot a strange red geometric edifice looming in the distance. You’ll finish your first circle there, which is a section of a playground that is situated close to the southernmost area of the parking lot.
Explore Woodland Side Route and Visit Bellevue Parks Botanical Garden on 0.7-Mile Trail
An optional side route leaves the parking lot and travels 0.3 miles south, first following a power line. If you want to explore it, go ahead, but remember that you must return the same way. The path descends a little, crosses a tiny creek (sometimes only a trickle), and comes to a T-junction. The T’s arms branch out to the east towards a school or the west towards the bustling metropolitan route known as Lake Hills Connector. If you have the time and desire, the route might be a delightful addition to your walk because it is entirely covered in woodland.
Return to the parking area and proceed west along the gravel path that skirts the soccer field’s southern edge. (The difference in the field itself is stark. Of course, the bright green “turf” and the surrounding red jogging path are artificial.) A tiny pond is visible off the route on the right a few feet beyond the soccer pitch; you might spot some ducks there. The Bellevue Parks Botanical Garden parking lot is soon reached after the trail travels another 0.4 miles.
Garden Entrance
As you approach the Visitor Centre and main garden entrance, turn left onto the broad concrete sidewalk. Free admission is available, but keep in mind that if you’re taking a dog with you. You’ll need to postpone this for another day.
The Visitor Centre has a thorough map of the Botanical Garden’s formal area. And extra copies are frequently available on a table outside the center’s southernmost corner.
You will start the second loop of your hike (approximately a mile long) close to the visitor center. Follow the walkway with the white fences to the south. At the first available chance, turn right and stroll through a huge bronze toad known as “Goldiwarts.” Who stealthily requests (optional) money through a slot in a sculptured log. Laugh as you pass the Rock Garden (an exhibit of plants that thrive in rocky surroundings). And the Waterwise Garden (a display of plants that thrive with minimal watering).
Cross a Towering Cable Bridge and Explore Gardens on Wilburton Hill Park Trail Loop
Pass the Short House after that (it was donated by the family who lived here and farmed here in the 1950s). When you descend the stairs to the southwest, you’ll reach a wide trail that leads southeast. Turn sharply to the right at the Y where it says “Ravine Experience – Lost Meadow Trail.” It turns out that the Lost Meadow is a relatively tiny grassy area. After passing a marked service road, proceed a short distance further and turn right into an unmarked but clear route that descends. Surprisingly, this leads to a towering cable bridge that allows the trail to traverse a narrow gorge. The bridge responds to your movement by giving you small bounces that add to the already airy sensation. Enjoy this elevated viewpoint of the fields and forest.
Turn right once you’ve crossed the bridge. Turn left when you reach a Steller’s Jay sign farther along. As you make your way back to the bridge on your little loop. Keep an eye out for any gnomes along the route for Wilburton Hill Park..
Recross the bridge, make a right turn, and then make a second right turn at the gravel trail. The Native Plant Garden and Yao Garden will soon be visible on your left and right, respectively. Both are worth a leisurely stroll through or a quick moment of reflection on a bench. The walk then continues by the Rhododendron Garden, which in the spring offers a riot of vibrant colors. The second circle is then completed by going back to the Visitor Centre. The connecting trail will take you back to the parking area from there.
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