SILVERDALE – With a mix of tall forest trees, dense wetland plant life, a burbling creek and the regular views of featureless rear walls of retail box stores, hikers walking along Clear Creek Trail are treated to a study in contrast between the beauty of the natural world as well as some of the less attractive aspects of a modern economy.

But the miles-long sprawling complex of trails that make up Clear Creek trail is still quite a treat that is easily accessible to Silverdale area residents.

Silverdale resident Jim Davis was one of several people Aug. 4 who were out enjoying the trail and the sunny weather.

“My second time on the trail,” Davis said. “Brought my girlfriend out here yesterday.”

Davis said the trail was great place to exercise. He was out bicycling that day. Several walkers and joggers were out hitting the trail as well.

The Clear Creek Trail system stretches across the length of Silverdale. The trail begins at the south end of the town, at Silverdale Waterfront Park. The trail meanders along the shore of Dyes Inlet past Silverdale Beach Hotel, and across Bucklin Hill Road.

The Suquamish and their ancestors once lived along the shores where the trail now meanders.

The Suquamish people called the creek “Duwe’iq” – meaning “mouth of a creek way back in a pocket” – and “Sa’qad” – meaning “spear it” – by the Suquamish. In 1880, homesteader Hannah Schold was impressed with the creek’s clarity and called it “Clear Creek.”

At least five salmonid species use the creek for spawning and can be seen in the water November through December. Reforestation and other enhancements to the creek are meant to increase the number of salmon that use the creek.

A Southern section of the trail are currently blocked due to construction at Bucklin Hill Bridge. When complete, the new bridge will allow better fish passage than the previous culverts.

The boardwalk trail then follows the creek north, parallel to Silverdale Way (a short distance to the west) through lush, forested wetlands.

Birds chirp and occasional rustling from forest animals can be heard in the brush as one walks along.

Just before Waaga Way, the trail opens up to a stormwater retention pond and continues northward past Gateway Rotary Park and then ends at NW Trigger Avenue.

Trail spurs lead hikers past Harrison Medical Center’s Silverdale campus and other areas.

There are several points of interest along the trail, including a rusting Wehrhan timber saw at Old Mill Park.

A large, glacier-deposited boulder rests near The Doctors Clinic.

Near a footbridge that spans the creek hikers may see a rusty Datsun Z sports car that rests in a junk yard behind Goodwill Silverdale.

Volunteers donate time to help keep the trail clean of trash, to clear away overgrowth and to take care of homeless campsites.

Learn more about the trail at http://www.clearcreektrail.org.