It's official: Summer 2016 is the final hurrah for the Washington State Parks GeoTour. All GeoTour caches will remain active through Sept. 30, and participants will have until Oct. 10 to submit passports for prize coins. There are currently 177 Silver (50 caches) and 34 Gold (100 caches) left to award. So start making your summer travel plans! More details.
Bridle Trails State Park, a 482-acre day-use park, is well-known for its horse trails and equestrian shows. The forested park is on the northeast edge of the Seattle metropolitan area.
Park Features
Sometimes called "the wilderness in the city," this park is a popular getaway destination for Seattle residents. The park is known for its riding trails and summer weekend horse shows.
Horseback riding and horse shows are the two activities most common in the park. Horse trails double as hiking trails, though horses have the right of way. Joggers are asked to "speak up" when overtaking horses on trails. Horses must not be left unattended. The park does not provide a horse rental concession.
There are three marked trail loops of varying distance. See the trail map for details.
History
The park has been under state ownership since the 1880s. By the 1930s, the area was popular as a place for horseback riding, and a trail system had been developed by community riding enthusiasts. Concerned about protecting the land, citizens petitioned the state legislature to make Bridle Trails a state park. The petition was granted, and today local groups, especially those with equestrian interests, work hard to maintain and improve the facility.
The Bridle Trails Park Foundation was formed in June, 2002 after annual budget reductions continually brought the future of the Park into jeopardy. The Bridle Trails Park Foundation has agreed to act in partnership with the State in funding the cost of operations of Bridle Trails State Park in exchange for their assurance that this one-of-a-kind park will remain open. Washington State Parks will manage and maintain the Park so the nature of this equestrian/pedestrian gem remains the same.
The threat of losing Bridle Trails State Park is not new. In the 1930's, when the Department of Natural Resources logged and sold parts of this land to fund schools, the residents persuaded State Parks to lease it for a park instead of selling it. In the 1960's, before parks needed to be self-supporting, the State purchased the land from the DNR with the intention of preserving it as an equestrian park. Over the years as the State budget has gone through economic cycles park budgets have often suffered the brunt of many reductions.
The success of the agreement will rely on the generosity of those individuals willing to donate funds and time to ensure the park remains open. The State is hoping to use the Foundation as a model of how private citizens can organize to support State Parks and subsidize their operation on an annual basis.
The Cache
The cache is located along a side trail branching off from the Trillium trail. Enjoy your walk to the cache and continue from there to explore the many trails and paths that will entice you to explore this wonderful park. At GZ there is a large log perpendicular to the trail with a large log round on either side of the large log. You should be able to reach the cache from the trail without disturbing anything. if you are being tempted to step off the trail you are not in the right area.
No bicycles or motor vehicles allowed. Absolutely no exceptions!
Dogs must be on leash - yes... even your well-trained, wonderful dog!
Seriously, it is dangerous for equestrians and your dog.
Park hours:
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.
The park is open year-round for day use only.
2013 was the 100th anniversary of Washington State Parks, and we've celebrated with the Washington State Parks Centennial GeoTour, a statewide challenge featuring 100 new caches placed on 100 State Park properties, with a commemorative geocoin for finding 50 caches (silver coin) and 100 caches (gold coin).
The Centennial GeoTour is sponsored by Washington State Geocaching Association (WSGA) and Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (WSPRC). We hope you enjoy the tour!
- This geocache has an approved Permit to be placed at this location on property managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Visitors are responsible for acquainting themselves with policies and rules pertaining to State Parks areas.
- The following items may not be placed in the geocache: food, illegal substances, medications, personal hygiene products, pornographic materials, hazardous materials, or weapons of any type.
- By searching for the cache, visitors agree that they are responsible for their own actions, and acknowledge that neither the State of Washington nor the cache owner is responsible for any loss or injury that may occur in relation to such search.
- Report any incident, problem, or violation to State Parks staff.
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