Explore Rainier Beach, starting with a moderate uphill stroll on paved Chief Sealth Trail. Walkers are rewarded at the top with panoramic views of downtown, Lake Washington, the Cascade Mountains, and Mount Baker. Then enjoy a gentle descent through the neighborhood, visiting the quaint “Old Town Rainier Beach” business district, and finishing with a stroll by the lake and past the playfields for several schools.
Distance & Trail Rating: 6K and 10K. Rating: 2A.
Online Start Box: Registration is available on the Online Start Box. For registration information, go to ava.org, or try this link. Once you’ve registered online, the walk directions and map will be available for you to download. Or you may register at the Physical Start Box, as described below:
Start Location: Vegetable Bin & Polynesian Deli. 8825 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S., Seattle, WA 98118. Start Box is self-serve, in a large blue accordion folder, on a dining table to the left, near the windows.
Start Location Hours: Mon – Sat: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sun: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Amenities: Restrooms: yes | Pets: no | Strollers: hard | Wheelchairs: no
Comments: No restrooms at Start Location. Portable restroom available at Kubota Garden (at about the 2K point on 6K route, or at about the 6K point on the 10K route). For restrooms before you start the walk, we recommend that you drive to Safeway at 9262 Rainier Ave. S. (1 mile from start – use GPS or your phone for directions to Safeway). Pets not allowed on Light Rail, but ok on walk route if arriving otherwise. Leash and clean-up laws apply. See comment below about parking.
AVA Special Programs: Mayflower – 400th Anniversary. Walking with America’s Veterans.
ESVA Special Programs: Frontline Heroes (Sustenance – both routes, Essential Services – 10K route only)
Walk to Start from Rainier Beach Station: Disembark the train and walk north to Henderson St. Left and cross Martin Luther King. Right and cross Henderson St. Vegetable Bin is on the corner. See map below.
Driving Directions: From I-5 northbound, take exit 157 (M L King Way). Stay to the right on the exit ramp, which merges onto Martin Luther King Jr. Way S. (MLK). Continue northbound on MLK for about 1.8 miles. Left on Henderson, then immediate left into fenced lot on corner. Park, then walk across Henderson to the Vegetable Bin.
From I-5 southbound, take exit 158 (Boeing Access Rd / E. Marginal Way) then left onto Boeing Access Rd., crossing over I-5. Left on MLK and continue for one mile. Left on Henderson, then immediate left into fenced lot on corner. Park, then walk across Henderson to the Vegetable Bin.
Parking: Parking at store is ok to register, then move your car. A parking map is in the Start Box for directions to free street parking along the walk route.
Metro Bus: Routes 106, 107.
Contact: Dorman Batson (253) 517-9634
Sponsoring Club: Four-Plus Foolhardy Folks
AVA Walk Sanction Number: Y2466