Trail of the week: Shelton’s Huff ’n’ Puff Trail

Shelton’s Huff ’n’ Trail

HIKE DESCRIPTION: A 5-acre swath of woods packed with trails across the street from Shelton High is a popular workout area for locals.

“They are good trails,” said Cory Woodard, a Shelton resident who ran in the Boston Marathon Monday. Woodard says he uses Huff ’n’ Puff Trail occasionally, mostly when competing in local runs staged on the trail. The Shuck and Share 5K, part of the Shelton Skookum Rotary’s annual Oysterfest, uses the trail each October.

The trail is wide and well maintained, giving visitors ample room to run or walk. It snakes through the moss-covered trees and evergreens and doubles back sometimes coming within just feet of other sections of the trail.

Huff ’n’ Puff has five short loops ranging from 276-890 yards. Jog all three loops to cover 1.85 flat miles. Signs point the way, but it is still easy to take a wrong turn if you’re new to the trails. Not to worry, it’s a tough place to stay lost. The trails all bend back toward the parking area.

While the exercise trail can be busy at times, it’s rarely so busy that you can’t find pleasant moments of peace and quiet. You’ll hear birds chirping and spot squirrels playing in the trees.

One of the loops visits the Shelton Springs disc golf course, which can be entertaining to watch.

A memorial at the trailhead pays tribute to students at Shelton High and Oakland Bay Junior High who died before completing their education at those schools.

DIRECTIONS: Located at 3600 Shelton Springs Road. Follow U.S. Highway 101 north of Shelton, then turn southeast on Shelton Springs Road. Continue for about 1 mile until you see parking on the left, across the street from Shelton High.

DIFFICULTY RATING: 1 (5 is most difficult, 1 is easiest).

MILES ROUND TRIP: 1.85.

ELEVATION GAIN: Flat.

BEST TIME OF THE YEAR: Year-round.

MAP: A map is posted at the trailhead.

PASS: None.

ALSO: Bikes, horses and motorcycles aren’t permitted on the trails. The park is open during daylight hours. Smoking and alcohol are prohibited on the trails. Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on a leash and cleaned up after. A pet waste station is located at the trailhead. Several geocaches are hidden in the area. For more information, visit geocaching.com. There are plenty of amenities nearby, including a shopping center and fast food restaurants. The Shuck and Share 5K is Oct. 2. Visit masonpud3.org for more information.

INFO: ci.shelton.wa.us/parkrec.php

This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 8:42 AM with the headline "Trail of the week: Shelton’s Huff ’n’ Puff Trail."