Bainbridge Island, WA: Gazzam Beach Hike

While this 1.5-mile out-and-back is a doozy in terms of Bainbridge Island elevation–the island’s high point is just 30 feet above this hike’s start point–it is short, and the payoff is a fun, rock-skip-ready beach that’s less than 15 minutes from the trailhead.
Begin by following the wide, graded path heading west from the trailhead, bypassing a junction that leads south toward Gazzam Lake. The trail heads due west for 0.4 miles before curving north and beginning to drop downhill. Stay to the right as the trail dips into a small ravine, bypassing the downhill branch which tempts you toward a dead end. There are two big switchbacks near mile 0.6. Watch your footing as the surface is steep and can be slick with damp leaves. A mellow hillside traverse follows and then the trail steepens further and weaves between towering trees as it approaches the beach with a few final flights of beam-reinforced steps. A twisted tree protects the base of the trail from tidal erosion, but the last step to the pebbly tideline requires a bit of scrambling.
Enjoy scouting for anemones and looking for eagles soaring above the opposite shoreline before backtracking uphill toward the trailhead. Because the return trip is a steady climb, allow for a few extra minutes despite its short distance.
-Mapped by Kristy Holland