If you haven't been to Meadowdale Beach Park since June 15, 2021, you will be shocked at the extent of changes. Public trail access to the beach has opened as of January 7, 2023, though park construction continues in fenced-off areas of the park that will not affect your search for this geocache.
There is a private road inside the park South from the hide, but it is not open for public automobile use. The geocache is just outside of that road. *** There can be nettles here! *** Please cover the container with a twig or leaves.
PARKING OPTIONS:
The official parking for Meadowdale Beach Park is East from the geocache. The trail is well-maintained, scenic along a creek, and is very pleasant retreat into nature. From the bottom of that trail, take the paved road up to the geocache. Some folks look at the GPSr and bushwack straight up the steep side of the hill. Then it is a long uphill back to the parking.
The easiest path is to park South from the geocache at Haines Wharf Park then walk 1/2 mile. Definitely do not park next to the gate or in front of the homes outside the park's South entrance. The neighbors here will call for a tow truck.
More about the Estuary Restoration Project unrelated to the geocache search: The park was entirely closed for 18 months for extensive construction to restore a pre-railroad 1.3-acre estuary that will provide essential rearing habitat for Chinook, Chum, and Coho salmon as well as Cutthroat trout. The railroad used to be solid with a tunnel access to the beach. Now the tracks cross high above the water on a trestle allowing a view to the Puget Sound.