Hiking the O. O. Denny Park Trail, Kirkland, Washington

Looking for more fun places to hike around Lake Washington?
Check out the trails at nearby Saint Edward State Park, or head across the water to Magnuson Park in Northeast Seattle.

CURRENT INFO

We followed the route featured in the book Urban Trails: Eastside by Craig Romano. If you live in the area, I highly recommend this book. For trail reports, visit the WTA (Washington Trails Association) webpage. For general information about O. O. Denny park, visit the City of Kirkland’s park webpage.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Parking at O. O. Denny Park is free. There are two parking lots, one on each side of the road.
• A restroom is available at the park.
• The beach area includes many picnic tables, a covered picnic shelter, a fun playground, and a boat launch.
• Pets on leash are welcome.
• Be prepared for mud on the trail, especially if it’s been raining.

HIGHLIGHTS

This short creekside ramble charms with clear, sparkling water, picturesque wooden bridges, and an abundance of ferns. It feels surprisingly remote, even though you’re never far from the streets of Kirkland. If it’s a clear day, be sure to visit the beach and take in the amazing view of Mount Rainier.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

The kids fairly tore up the trail on this hike – those hundreds of stairs were no match for them! My five-year-old was the first to reach the top of the stairs, and on the way back down, my nine-year-old said he still had “99 percent” of his energy left. Ah, to be young! The bridges are a big part of what makes this hike fun. And let’s be real, the playground at the end doesn’t hurt, either!

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

Take some time to enjoy O. O. Denny Park. Pack a picnic or Frisbee, bring your boat or inflatables (especially on a warm summer day), and give the kids the chance to enjoy the playground. Other great parks, including Saint Edward State Park and Big Finn Hill are nearby.

The previous week left me feeling emotionally frazzled. No question about it, I needed a chance to refresh. For me, there’s nothing like an escape into nature to help calm my nerves. We didn’t have a lot of time, so needed something nearby, something short. But it still needed to feel like a hike, not just a walk in the park. O. O. Denny Park fit the bill.

O. O. Denny Park is best known for its beautiful lakeside lawn, with picnic tables and benches strategically placed for visitors to take in the view across Lake Washington. This area of the park is well worth a visit. But if you’re looking for a hike, cross the road to the Denny Creek Trailhead. There are two trailheads, one on either side of the parking lot. Pick either one – they’re both part of the same loop trail that takes you deep into the Denny Creek Ravine. We chose the north one, heading clockwise.

The trail climbs gradually at first, and soon Denny Creek comes into view. At first, I struggled to find a rhythm. Buddy, now an almost six-month-old puppy, was pulling hard on the leash, and at times it took almost all my strength to keep him in line. Even in our home neighborhood, he tugs and pulls, but on a hike it seems to increase exponentially. My frustration rose as I struggled to reign him in, and the frequently muddy trail made it all the more challenging.

The kids, on the other hand, were having a great time. T, together with Michael, took the lead. J, aware of my difficulties, stayed closer to me, saying, “Buddy’s just really excited. He’s a good dog.” True words, and a reminder that I need to work on Buddy’s training.

I also realized that in order to enjoy the hike, I would have to let go of that which was beyond my control. I turned my attention from Buddy to my surroundings. Cedars, Douglas fir, and maples stretched to the sky, while below the ground was carpeted with sword ferns and fallen maple leaves. The ferns weren’t limited to the forest floor, either, but sprouted from any surface that would support them. Tree trunks and mossy rocks became miniature gardens.

In about half a mile, we came to a fork in the trail. To the right, a bridge crossed Denny Creek. Hikers doing only a one-mile loop can cross the bridge and continue hiking back downstream to the the parking lot. If you are up for more, don’t cross this bridge just yet. Instead, continue straight, taking the trail further upstream.

This was my favorite part of the trail. One after another, three wooden bridges crossed Denny Creek. Two are single-track log crossings, with a helpful rail on one side – easy for us able-bodied humans, but a little tricky for dogs and their owners.

After zigzagging across the stream, the trail began a steep ascent up the side of the ravine. A curving staircase built into the hillside appeared ahead of us. The stairs were no match for T, who disappeared around a corner far above me. Luckily, this is where having a willful dog comes in handy; it’s nice to have a canine engine to help pull you up the hill.

At the top of the hill, the trail ended abruptly at a neighborhood street. We turned to look back into the ravine, admiring the mossy green tree trunks. Heading back down, I also noticed a group of tiny rock cairns placed delicately atop a wooden post marking the trailhead.

We headed back down the stairs, through the muddy patches, and over the bridges (a bit challenging for Buddy, but he made it). When we reached the loop trail, we turned left and crossed the concrete bridge over the fish ladder, stopping to read the signs describing the ongoing habitat restoration.

The return trail soon veered away from the Denny Creek and climbed into the forest. The trail was drier here – no more mud – and the scent of cedars filled the air. The boys scampered on ahead, eager to get to the playground (because when you’re a kid, a two mile hike with a few hundred stairs is not enough to get your energy out). While the kids played, I walked down to the waterfront, feeling refreshed and renewed for the coming week.