Cheasty Greenspace - Mt. View

Seattle,
Washington

Overview
Directions
Parking
Trip Reports

Overview

LENGTH : ~ 2 miles of trails

ELEVATION GAIN : 150 ft.

TYPE : hike

HIGH POINT : 260 ft.

Cheasty Greenspace Mountain View is one of three areas in the 43 acre Cheasty Greenspace, and is situated at the southern end of the park. Mountain View encompasses 8.4 acres on a hillside above the road South Columbian Way and features a small number of hiking trails crisscrossing through the restored forest. While it’s small in size, with less than 2 miles of trails available, it provides a wonderful escape from the city with beautiful forest.

The Hazelnut trail is a small loop within Cheasty Greenspace Mountain View, and all the other trails, which originate at various streets, funnel into this loop. Pick any of Coliumbian Way Link, Ridge or Valley View trail and hike into the Hazelnut Loop and then hike back out.

Directions

These are directions to the start of the Ridge trail. From downtown Seattle, take I-5 south. After 1.3 miles, take exit 163A toward S Columbian Way. Keep left, follow signs for Columbian Way/15th Ave S and merge onto S Columbian Way for .6 miles. Continue straight onto 15th Ave S for .4 miles, then a slight left onto S Columbian Way. After .6 miles, turn right onto S Angeline St and drive up one block and find parking.

Parking

There is no dedicated parking at any of the trailheads, however it is straightforward to find street parking. The exception to this is the Columbian Way Link trail, which has no parking as the South Columbian Way street is a major thoroughfare.

Trip Reports

February 6th 2022

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TOTAL MILEAGE : .4 miles, roundtrip

ELEVATION GAIN : 150 ft.

HIGH POINT : 260 ft.

I’m not sure where or how I originally became aware of Cheasty Greenspace and the surrounding areas, but somehow it was on my mind this past weekend. As I looked online for information, I couldn’t find a lot of details about what to expect - were the trails in the Greenspace only on the Southern part? Can you connect to the Cheasty Boulevard Trail? Where do I park?

I decided to head to the Southern part of this small park to find a place to park, as I didn’t think there would be parking on South Columbian Way, which turned out to be correct. I was able to park on the street, although I was a little unsure at first as the streets are narrow and the first spot I looked at felt like I was basically on someone’s lawn as there is no curb. I moved down the block and found a spot that seemed more legit.

The entrance to the park and start of the trail were nice - it was well marked with a bench off to the side and a new gravel trail. I hadn’t realized that the park was on the side of a relatively steep hill. But no matter, as the trail started to descend there were granite steps that transitioned into wood and gravel steps. Everything looked very new, and well taken care of.

Entrance to Ridge Trail and Cheasty Greenspace at Mtn. View

Granite steps down the start of the Ridge Trail

Nice pathway on the Ridge Trail

I quickly reached the first trail junction where the Ridge Trail merges with the Valley View Trail, and it was very well marked with shiny new trail signs. Further along the trail joins the Hazelnut Loop, and there was a small clearing with wooden benches.

Small clearing at the start of the Hazelnut Loop

I kept moving along, and enjoyed the sounds of the forest. While I could make out the ever constant din of the traffic from South Columbian Way, it was mostly blocked out by singing birds and rustling of the leaves in the wind. I broke off of the Hazelnut Loop trail and headed down to South Columbian Way. I could see work was being done on the Northern section of the Cheasty Greenspace. I would later learn they are putting in more hiking and mountain biking trails.

South Columbian Way entrance to Cheasty Greenspace

I finished the Hazelnut Loop and made my way back on the Ridge Trail, wishing that there were more trails to explore in the park.

Ridge Trail at Cheasty Greenspace at Mt. View