Wake up. And climb a hill while you are at it.

Katt. Wake up.

Buh, wuh? I'm awake. What do you want?

You need to go hiking.

Man, I've been busy. I got a new job, a new house, a new town. Plus, it is cold and snowy outside.

You haven't updated your blog in months. It's 2017 now.

Really? When was the last time I...

It's been a while

Shit shit shit okay. Okay. Well there was that trail I hiked in November that I discovered. It wasn't very long but it was kinda steep. Does that count?

Yes.

Okay. You know, I no longer live by islands and mountains, so the name of this blog kinda...

Just write something.

Okay. Okay right, got it. Here I am. I'm alive, and I have a new hike!

Fullbright Park Loop Trail

Fullbright Park
Union Gap Parks & Rec
Distance: ~1 mile
Elevation gain: ~500'

I discovered this trail by chance. I could not find any official maps, not on the parks department site, not on Washington Trail Association's site, nowhere. So I made one. Nevertheless, there are trail markers which indicate that it's an official trail managed by someone.

Fullbright Park is in Union Gap and is nestled at the western base of the physical "gap" in the hills that is the city's namesake. It's easy to miss the turn-off; from Main Street, you head toward Highway 97, and partway across the bridge is the turnoff for the park. You will also see signs for the Agricultural Museum, a sprawling outdoor exhibit that is both walkable and driveable and is worth a visit itself. I'll talk more about it in a little bit.

In fact, the trailhead parking is right outside the entrance to the museum entrance, next to a retired tank.

You can almost miss the trailhead sign. I only noticed it because on an earlier visit, I saw someone hiking down it.

The sign simply reads "Head". Ironically, it's located behind another sort of head.

The marked trail will take you almost to the top of the 500' high hill. It goes straight up, and when I say straight up, well...

Someone didn't believe in switchbacks

Although a short trail, it is plenty steep, so you will get a good workout in. The views are fairly nice, too.

The agricultural museum is seen at the base of the hill.

Union Gap, and the turn-off for the park is visible.

I don't have photos from the other side of the hill, as the marked trail I was following did not lead quite to the top. Plenty of unmarked trails did though, so next time I will explore them.

After crossing to the other hill, I could see the dark line of where I had just climbed up.

Going down is just as steep as going up. I was a bit nervous, since I had no idea where the trail came back out and after the steep descent I had no desire to backtrack. The dog with his four legs was faring much better.

It was breezy though so this was the best pose I got.

Finally, the trail rejoins a service road on the edge of the agricultural museum.

To get back to your car, you'll have to head through the museum area. The museum is worth a look itself, if your legs aren't too burnt out from the steep descent. Apparently in warmer months there are indoor interpretive opportunities. This time of year they were closed, but the grounds and outdoor exhibits are still open for people to walk through year-round.

One last look up at the hill. It doesn't look like too much, but it's a surprisingly steep climb!