Trail Runner Moving to Fort Lewis (Tacoma, Olympia: living in, dryer, relocating to)

[jondquist]

I'm relocating to Fort Lewis and the one thing I care about in this world (besides my wife and daughter) is Trail Running! Any recommendations on cities to rural community around Fort Lewis with access to many running areas (trails, country roads). Looking for a 15-25 mile commute to one of Fort Lewis gates (is there a back gate around Yelm?).

Thanks for your input

Jon

[mthomson]

There's an incredible trail system that runs along the base just on the outskirts. The best trail running you'll find is Pt Defiance Park in Tacoma. 24miles of dirt/bark trails, no bikes allowed, running alongside the Puget Sound, good mix of flat and hills. Best trail running I've ever found. The trails along the base are nice, but you get quite a few Mtn bikes as well, which isn't bad but can be a bit scary on the blind corners. I pick up those trails from Steilacoom.

[marita]

Fort Lewis itself is close to 16 square miles in size.
The 'back gate"is the fort Lewis east gate which is the only way to get to yelm unless you exit by way of the main gate,getting on to Interstate5 south towards Olympia.Exit I-5 and heading east will get you to yelm.Taking the east gate will give to a option for spanaway,graham or Roy-Yelm.

I would say you can run at your hearts delight crisscrossing Fort Lewis,continuing on to the old madigan army hospital area on to Mcchord air force base where the jogging trail goes the perimeter of the airfield.
MapMyRun.com | Find Runs and Running Routes in Fort Lewis, WA
Sports & Leisure | www.nwguardian.com
Thanks to our great climate here,jogging year round should be no problem.

[Iniaow]

If you are living in the Steilacoom area, I see lots of people jogging to North Fort to go to work. There are wide bike lanes and shoulders when there aren't any sidewalks. There is also a long trail that goes around the airfield at McChord, besides what has already been mentioned.

[AzDreamer]

If you are moving here from a dryer climate you might need a different trail running shoe. There are some trail running shoes with a better grip and when everything is wet and slippery they are nice to have.

[nwmilitary]

Dupont has a lot of trails too - right across from the post. Worth a run at least. mod cut: