Meadowdale Beach Park

Meadowdale is a beautiful trail great for hiking in any season. This trail is a gem in the city of Edmonds, and a perfect oasis of native vegetation, salmon streams, and a gorgeous beach. Passing under a train through a tunnel at the end makes it a favorite for children of all ages. Starting at the trailhead, take the wide path down through the picnic area and grassy field and into the lush forest. As the trail begins its descent, notice the change from alder to mature Douglas Fir while sampling the salmonberries in the summer. Here the trail will begin a sharp 400 foot descent in a space of only half a mile. A long stairway has been cut into the trail by volunteers from the Washington Trail Association to aid hikers. At the bottom of the stairs, you will begin to hear the babbling waters of Lund’s Gulch as it makes its way to the Puget Sound. Look up into the trees for a glimpse of the resident owls that hunt these woods in the evening. As the trail flattens out and runs parallel to the creek, notice the bigleaf maples and Western redcedar around you. This will transition to alder and ferns as you near the beach. At approximately one mile in, you will reach a fork in the trail. If you go right, you continue through the forest to the tunnel. Go left and cross a small bridge that leads to the ranger station and a large field great for picnicking, volleyball, or just hanging out. Cross that large field and you will arrive at the tunnel. The tunnel passes under the railroad, providing an outlet for the stream to empty into the Sound. There is a grate installed through the tunnel allowing hikers to walk above the stream to the beautiful beach. In the rainy season, during high tide, prepare to wade through some water to access the beach. Once at the beach, sit on the logs and enjoy the views  of Whidbey Island, the Kitsap Peninsula, and the Olympic Peninsula. Hike this in the evening and enjoy a gorgeous sunset over the water. When you are finished, head back through the tunnel and prepare for the climb back up into civilization.