OUR FIRST CUSHMAN TRAIL REVIEW - Courtesy of Carvendive - riding a new trike. He has forwarded this for posting. Enjoy.

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The “Cushman Trail”: From the Gig Harbor Park and Ride to the South East end of trail - 6 miles RT. (Tacoma Narrows option included.)

Rating 5 for the Tacoma Narrows view otherwise I’d rate the Cushman trail as 4.

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There is parking at the Gig Harbor Park and Ride in the middle of the Cushman Trail and at the East trail head just off 14th Ave. This report describes the ride from the P&R, east to the trail head at 14th Ave., 3 miles away.

Departing the parking lot we headed east where you first go up a long hill and then around a couple curves and then down a short hill to Soundview Dr. From there you turn right and proceed to Hollycroft St where you turn Left.

At the Olympic Dr NW intersection, Soundview becomes 56th St NW. Cross Olympic Dr and immediately turn Right and you are back on the Cushman trail. Within a block you cross one more street (Hollycroft Wy NW) and then it’s trail all the way to the next trail head. This section follows the power lines along the side of Hwy 16. The trail has some small hills and is well paved its entire length.

Although not part of the actual trail, the natural thing to do at this point is to cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridge which adds another 2.5 miles to the ride for a total RT of 11 miles. To get to Tacoma Narrows: at the East end of the Cushman trail turn right onto 14th Ave and then turn right at 24thSt NW. Once across the Highway 16 overpass, turn left onto the Pedestrian / Bike path.

This addition turns it into a FANTASTIC ride as long as you don’t have a fear of heights! The bridge is 187’ above the water and a 8’ wide walking/biking path on the south side of the south span. The path has a concrete barrier between it and the traffic lane and substantial railing on the water side (thereby eliminating some of the fear of height).

Carvendive

On a CATrike Road

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A TRAILBEAR TRAIL NOTE... Want a longer ride? Add the Scott Pierson Trail. It runs from close to the I 5 x WA 16 junction five miles to the far side of the Narrows bridge. It is a freeway ride. Bring the I Pod. Crank up the volume.