Frye Cove LbNA #1151 (ARCHIVED)

FRYE COVE


Nearest Town: Olympia, WA
County: Thurston
Placed: 12/4/02
Placed By: Fudrick
Clues: Trivial
Trek: Moderate. A bit of up and down, but there are railroad tie steps where needed.
Pets: Frye Cove County Park is a Thurston County Pet Control and License Zone.
Reminder: a great place for a picnic lunch.

Frye Cove Park - located on the West side of Eld Inlet. the southernmost part of Puget Sound. Named after George W. Frye who owned the property on the shore North of Flapjack Point. Acquired in 1973 by Thurston County. Now a Thurston County Park with 1,400 feet of saltwater beach access and over 2 miles of trails in the 86 acres of forest. Frye Cove is a perfect setting for picnics, weddings, hiking, shellfish gathering, or nature walks along the trails with informative signage describing what you see. Enjoy the magnificent views up and down Eld Inlet and of Mt. Rainier. Two covered shelters are in the park, each with a picnic table and a barbecue grill.

Directions to Frye Cove Park: From I-5 in Olympia, north or southbound, take Exit 104 (US 101 north, Aberdeen). Stay on US 101 toward Shelton. Take the Steamboat Island Rd Exit. Go north on Steamboat Island Rd NW about 5.8 miles and turn right onto Young Rd NW. Proceed about 2 miles, turn left on 61st Ave NW into Frye Cove County Park. Park in the parking lot.

As you head back to US 101, consider turning right on Steamboat Island Road NW and take the short trip to Steamboat Island, the most densely populated island you will ever see!

Clues: From the parking lot, head East down the hill, across the road you drove in on. After crossing the road, you come to a directional sign, pointing out the picnic area and the trail to the viewpoint to the left. Take the trail to the viewpoint to the left. Note the signs describing the flora in the forest. You will come to a T with a pole fence to keep you from falling over the cliff. The viewpoint is to the left, is provides a great view, and is worth seeing. Turn right to the picnic area. You will spot twin Red Alders (so the sign says). Frye is nestled between the twins. After securely hiding Frye, continue on toward the picnic area. Stop at the Mount Rainier Viewpoint, hopefully the mountain is out. At a Y, continue on to the beach, bypassing the picnic area for now. Going by the beach, you will note that is not quite a swimming beach :-(. Continue on the Cove Trail. The first side trail goes out to an overlook of Frye Cove, enjoy the tranquillity. Continuing on the Cove Trail, the second side trail to the left goes into a small grove of trees. As you enjoy their majesty, you may notice a stump. Cove is safely hidden inside. After securely hiding Cove, continue on Cove Trail back to the parking lot.

Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer

www.geocities.com/fudrickus/fryecove.html