Trail Mix

by Tim Rensema, Natural Resources

“Port Ludlow – A Destination Hiking Village”     

This article is dedicated to Larry G. Scott, who passed on June 29, very suddenly.   Larry had just about finished twenty hard, and arduous years surveying, applying for permits, and building the trails of Port Ludlow, over 30 miles of them. He acted as mentor to us wannabe trail builders, so he could go on short vacations while we kept the fun days going.

Larry Scott on trail duty

Meanwhile, he was our committee chair, dealing with all the negotiations and political interaction that many of us did not wish to deal with. In just the past two years, through Larry’s guidance, we constructed two bridges over Ludlow Creek, enabling us to build some beautiful connection trails on the McCormick and Creek View Trails. More importantly, however, was what the lower Ludlow Creek Bridge accomplished. It provided a connection between the North Bay and South Bay trails without going on Paradise Bay Road. Avoiding roads whenever possible was a fundamental goal for Larry. This bridge unified the two communities into one Port Ludlow. That is just like our volunteers. Many from North Bay have learned much about South Bay and vice versa because of digging dirt.

Probably the crown of our trails has been the completion of the Larry G. Scott Memorial Trail. It was originally called the Oak Bay Trail but was renamed by the Trails Committee in memory of Larry. We don’t normally do that, but in this case, it was a no-brainer. Larry essentially was the spirit of trails. Larry worked over eight years on this trail, as it took a very long time to receive permission for the trail. This trail is over one mile long and connects the neighborhood of Pioneer in North Bay with the Around the Bay Trail. It follows along the northwest side of Oak Bay Road giving folks from that part of North Bay and Mats Mats a safe and enjoyable trail to walk all the way down to the Village and beyond, walking only on trails. There are many benches on the Larry G. Scott Memorial Trail to take a rest and to get some of the best views in the entire village. It is a bit trying with some elevation change, but you feel you accomplished a good hike when you are done. Just be careful when crossing Walker, Swansonville, and Oak Bay Road, as the cars don’t always go the speed limit. The Larry G. Scott Memorial Trail is adjacent to the Port Ludlow Historic Cemetery. This is one relic that remains of the old Port Ludlow. So, when you are walking on the trail, take a short detour into the cemetery and imagine how life was 150 years ago.

The Larry G. Scott Memorial Trail has a little bit for everyone. It became official when the black-tailed deer decided to use it as their principal trail along Oak Bay Road. Stop by the Golden Spike, three cedars area, and read the sign. Can you guess what our Golden Spike commemorates? Enjoy your hike up the steps that Larry and Glen Bell spent hours on, but don’t look down! Or just enjoy the serenity of the maple grove beyond the fire station. This trail needs to be hiked. Larry designed and engineered it that way – to be an enjoyment for all.