China Creek Trail
00 China Creek Boardwalk
01 Trailhead with China Creek Trail branching left from CrossTown Trail
02 Heading north to SE 77th Court
03 Access down SE 77th Court to Trail in Cul-de-sac
04 Trail continuing past Bollard at Wall in front of Auto
05 Trail descending past Wall into PSE Utility Corridor
06 Trail northbound above Lakehouse
07 Looking south to distant Olympus Trail in Corridor
08 Trail eastbound through Lakehouse and across 129th Ave SE
09 Trail continuing east from 129th Ave SE behind Pole
10 Trail eastbound to Lake past Lake Boren Townhomes
11 Trail curving left at Lake Boren
12 Junction with overgrown Access Trail to Lake Boren Shore
13 Trail northbound beside China Creek Wetlands
14 Trail passing behind Lake Boren Townhomes
15 Access to Trail east from 129th Ave SE along SE 75th St
16 Trail on right turning east onto Boardwalk to China Creek
17 Trail following China Creek to Coal Creek Parkway
18 Trail Curving Right to Coal Creek Parkway
19 View of China Creek near Parkway
20 End of Trail at Interpretive Sign
Overview
0.5 miles
3 Roads,
0 Driveways
From CrossTown Trail thru Hazelwood Ridge and east to Parkway
Description
Newcastle's China Creek Trail starts on the CrossTown Trail, passes through the east end of Hazelwood Ridge, descends to the Lakehouse Residences on 129th Ave SE, and follows the north side of China Creek to Coal Creek Parkway. From the SE 77th Court cul-de-sac in Hazelwood Ridge, the trail descends a few steps into the PSE utility corridor, with views of Lake Boren and Cougar Mountain. It continues down a stairway, crosses 129th, and loops north behind the Lake Boren Townhomes, with wetlands (and a lakeshore bench) on the right. Near the end of SE 75th Street, the trail heads east, following China Creek on a boardwalk through wetlands flanked by trees. See Extended Description and Future Plans below.
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1. From the CrossTown Trail between the cemetery and 126th Ave SE (in Hazelwood Ridge), the China Creek Trail starts north along the west edge of a retention pond to the east end of SE 77th Court. It then turns right into a power line corridor, continues to a set of steps, and follows a pathway through the Lakehouse Residences to 129th Avenue SE.
2. Cross 129th Ave SE and descend east just south of the Lake Boren Townhomes toward Lake Boren. Walk a short distance northeast to a trail sign, where a lake view bench is usually accessible (but occasionally flooded) via a short access trail (possiby overgrown).
3. Continue north behind the Townhomes to the end of SE 75th Street, and follow the trail right (east) onto a boardwalk.
| To access the trail from Newcastle Way, walk south from the library on 129th Ave SE and turn left on SE 75th Street (just before the Lake Boren Townhomes). Continue straight ahead (east) on the boardwalk, or veer right and follow the trail south to visit the lakeshore bench. |
4. Follow the boardwalk east into the wetlands to a bench and bird viewing area. Continue on the boardwalk as it follows the north side of China Creek, mostly hidden by vegetation. The boardwalk ends near a large shade tree, and a crushed rock path carries you up to Coal Creek Parkway, with views of the creek on the right.
5. The trail ends at Coal Creek Parkway on a sidewalk, the Lake Boren Esplanade. Here an interpretive sign describes the history surrounding China Creek.
| Here you can follow the Esplanade north to downtown Newcastle, or south to Lake Boren Park, crossing the CrossTown Trail at SE 79th Pl, and the Milepost Trail at 135th Ave SE. |
Future Plans
The China Creek Trail is eventually to be built following China Creek up to the Marshall’s Hill Trail in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. It will make a nice round trip with the East CrossTown Trail. There's already a corridor of public open space for the trail to follow; the challenge is building the trail within narrow parts of the corridor.