Larry Scott Trail Extension to Anderson Lake Near Completion
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A section of the Milo Curry trail that connects to Anderson Lake State Park, taken before it was paved. The trail is set to open to the public either later this year or early 2026. Photo by Merrily Mount [/caption]
News by Scott France
Construction crews are working seven days a week, building the new Larry Scott Trail extension between the Milo Curry Trailhead and Anderson Lake State Park, aiming for completion by year’s end.
Jefferson County Public Works Director Eric Kuzma presented an update on the progress of the extension on October 9 at Finnriver Farm and Cidery. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the East Jefferson Trails Connections (FEJTC).
The trail extension will begin at the Milo Curry trailhead at South Discovery Road. It will then run parallel to Discovery Road, cross Highway 20, where pedestrian-activated beacons will be installed, and continue through the Jefferson Transit property. The route will then cross Four Corners Road, also equipped with beacons, and proceed along the power lines to Anderson State Park.
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Paved switchbacks on the steepest part of the new trail. Photo by Merrily Mount [/caption]
Construction began last May on the 3.25 mile shared use, non-motorized, asphalt trail. The projected completion time is at the end of 2025, although Kuzma said that the completion might be pushed into early 2026. Along one side of the trail will be a 2-foot-wide gravel shoulder, and on the other side will be a 4-foot-wide gravel equestrian trail.
The biggest construction challenge of the project is a stretch of land that rises about 25 feet, a grade that required switchbacks to be developed to maintain a grade of not more than 5%. The county is using some serious excavation equipment for the project, including a belly scraper, which can move 23 yards of dirt at a time, equivalent to two full dump trucks.
Walkers and bicyclists who make the trip up to Anderson Lake on the new extension will encounter a new trail through the park that will connect with the Tri-area network of trails.
Visitors will also be treated to a landscape of 16,500 new native plants. All the trees to be felled during the construction are being chipped. The chips will remain in the existing landscape.
Kuzma said that the trail construction area is off-limits to the public until construction is completed. He said that walkers and bicyclists have been on the trail and have caused destruction and obstructed equipment during operations.
Tri-Area Trail Network
Kuzma also spoke about trail construction being planned for south and east of Anderson Lake Road. “We’re pretty excited about building up that non-motorized trail network within the Tri-area of Chimacum, Irondale, Port Hadlock, and then getting that network connected to the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT). That connection would be via Anderson Lake Road.”
This would include continuing the ODT between Anderson Lake and Highway 101. “The topography for this project was tough. Topography for the next project will be tougher,” Kuzma said.
“From the Chimacum Grange going north on the shoulder of Highway 19, we’ll have a separated path, and then from the school south and east connecting through the Chimacum Center with sidewalks and a separated path,” Kuzma said.
Two other planned projects at SR 19 include a separated path along Highway 19 connecting HJ Carroll Park/Rick Tollefson to the Chimacum Schools campus. The other will go from the Chimacum High School south and east through the Chimacum center with sidewalks and a separated path.
The county was also recently awarded funds to construct a separated path on West Valley Rd. This path will connect to the Cherry Palm Street neighborhood and to old Anderson Lake Road, which connects to Anderson Lake Road and the State Park.
Merrily Mount, a trails advocate and member of the FEJTC said that funding is being pursued to connect the ODT from Chimacum to the Hood Canal Bridge, though not along Highway 104. “We have options for the entire route, and are looking for community support,” Mount said.
The FEJTC is affiliated with the Peninsula Trails Coalition, whose website is https://olympicdiscoverytrail.org.
In 2026, Anderson Lake State Park will be open to the public all year round with a park ranger on site. Restrooms will be upgraded, a bike fixing station will be installed, an equestrian trail will be built, and bridges will be constructed over wetlands, according to Mount.
The FEJTC plans to construct more trails around the county, and the Beacon will report on developments as they occur.
