Sunday, November 9, 2025
The Gate-Belmore Trail is now open to the public after work crews finished converting a historic railroad line into a corridor that will eventually link more than 50 miles over 50 miles of regional trails in Thurston County.
The Thurston County Public Works Department announced the opening of the trail on July 25. Access begins at the trailhead at 14698 Mima Road SW in Olympia.
The first phase runs 2.7 miles near Glacial Heritage Preserve and links Tumwater’s urban trail system toward south county.
The full route will span 14.5 miles when complete, crossing prairie, wetlands and forests to reach the Black River-Mima Prairie Glacial Heritage Preserve and Black River Natural Area just south of Littlerock.
The rail-to-trail project traces the Gate to Belmore rail bed, a route constructed in the 1890s and repurposed by Thurston County after its acquisition in 1996.
According to the county, the trail follows the original railroad grade to minimize ground disturbance and preserve the natural character of the land.
Before construction, the trail area was overrun by Scotch broom and knapweed. The county removed invasive growth, and then implemented a revegetation plan utilizing native grasses and wildflowers to provide food and cover for pollinators, birds and reptiles.
The site has seen the return of western bluebirds, California quail, turkey vultures, osprey and alligator lizards since work began.
The Gate-Belmore Trail’s construction was also timed to reduce impacts on native species, including the federally threatened Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly, which depends on a small group of native prairie plants for survival.
A parking area was also installed at a former pit site to avoid new excavation. The county said it minimized tree removal, and kept stormwater pond and access roads small to protect mature trees.
Under the county’s plan, the future phases will push the Gate-Belmore Trail north to Littlerock and add a Black River bridge. The corridor is expected to form part of a regional network of trails that spans more than 50 miles and connects Tumwater to south county.
Public Works acknowledged the cultural weight of the land, once home to indigenous communities, who lived and traveled through the prairies. The county said it will preserve the trail to respect that history.
Thurston County plans to make a trail map available after completing related updates.
6 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
HotTractor
It's a very nice walk.
Monday, August 4 Report this
BobJacobs
The county's trails plan is a very good illustration of the fact that for some public facilities it is imperative that they be planned far in advance. If this is not done they will be impossible to construct in the future. Parks and trails are of this nature.
Bob Jacobs
Monday, August 4 Report this
griffithga
Looking forward to using this trail and seeing it connect to other trails across the county. Great work Thurston County PWD.
Monday, August 4 Report this
Snevets
I look forward to checking it out!
Tuesday, August 5 Report this
SecondOtter
Unfortunately, the scatheads amongst us have already begun to use the trail head as an illegal dumping ground.
Even sadder was a Thurston County pickup was parked right next to a bag of garbage and LEFT IT.
People have used the area as an illegal shooting range and are doing so now that they can easily ride their dirt bikes on the path.
Also, on August 2nd, at7:45 PM, someone blew off fireworks and started a fire in the trees alongside the parking area. Thank goodness the Fire Department was right on it, otherwise, it would have burned up the houses next to the trailhead.
Apparently no one in Thurston County Public Works gave any thought to providing any sort of surveillance on the trail head. No one at TCPW provided any feedback when the people living near the trailhead wrote with questions about security or vandalism. They asked our opinion but didn't respond to our valid concerns.
Tuesday, August 5 Report this
Jesslookin
Excellent! Another wonderful spce for the "houseless" to set up camp. Thanks for making it so easy!
Tuesday, August 5 Report this