Take a Break from the Treadmill!
Mason County has some great loops and trails near Shelton for those who love to run in the great outdoors instead of on a treadmill.
First, you have the Huff’n’Puff Trail, a scenic 1.45 mile groomed trail which winds through a forest. You will find the parking lot located across from the Shelton High School on Shelton Springs Road.
Then there’s the Shelton Valley Loop, located a mile west of downtown Shelton. This 5.5 mile run starts on Shelton Valley Road. Park by the school or the 7th Day Adventist Church, and start running on Shelton Valley Road, turning left on West Deegan Road, then left on Shelton-Matlock Road, then left back onto Shelton Valley Road, until you reach your parking spot.
Finally, we’ve got the Old Airport Loop, which offers a longer run through all kinds of terrain. The run starts on Dayton-Airport Road (SR 102) by the big field at the north end of the industrial park near Sanderson Field on Highway 101. Run west on Dayton-Airport Road, passing the Washington State Patrol Academy on the left. Turn left on a dirt road and go for about a mile. At the bottom of the hill, take the footpath across the clearcut area until you reach the airport runway, then follow that back to where you parked.
And if, by chance, you like to participate in Fun Runs, then you’re in luck, because the 3.2 mile Mountain Fun Run is scheduled for this Saturday morning, June 14th, at 9 a.m. You can find contact information, as well as a calendar of all scheduled runs in Kitsap County, sponsored by the Kitsap Roadrunners, here.
So if you’re a runner, a jogger, or even a walker, take a break from that treadmill and check out these trails. You need the fresh air! (hat tip for the running routes goes to the Mason County 2008 Visitor’s Guide)
