It was a soaking and blustery Saturday morning. The remnants of a Japanese typhoon battered the Pacific Northwest. In spite of the nasty weather, a group of dedicated runners showed up at the start line to undertake a special journey: the Tehaleh Trail Run.

Tehaleh is a 4,200-acre master planned community currently being developed by our client Newland Communities near Bonney Lake, Washington. There are many ways to see Tehaleh: you can find it on a map, check out pictures on the website, or drive around its neighborhoods. But I’m now convinced the best way to experience Tehaleh is via its trails.

My fellow MacKay Sposito employees Hollie Logan and Eric Abbott defied the rain and ran the 5K. I ran the half-marathon, and I’ve never covered a more memorable 13.1 miles.

We began on a paved path and then turned onto a beautifully groomed gravel trail that wound through large stands of evergreens, skirting the back yards of new homes. The only sounds were our breathing, the gravel turning beneath our feet, and the steady patter of rain striking the leaves of the vegetation.

Eventually we left the groomed trails and headed into the wilderness of Tehaleh’s undeveloped portions. The trail varied over the next 7 miles between narrow paths carved by mountain bikers, traditional hiking trails, and rutted forest roads. The terrain proved technically challenging and kept us alert.

Eventually we reached a grassy clearing. The mud puddles across the trail proved unavoidable in some spots, but we were so wet it didn’t matter. We stomped through those puddles like giddy school children, at times winding up submerged to our ankles.

After “running the gauntlet” of the wild lands we eventually wound up on a paved path leading back into the developed areas and the groomed gravel trails. We ran another 3-mile loop, then crossed the finish line at Tehaleh’s visitor center, known as The Post. I was saturated, tired, and hungry, yet truly amazed at what I’d just experienced.

Tehaleh is a special place and it’s worth exploring. After my experience, I believe the best way to see everything that makes Tehaleh a special place is by trail.

So the next time you’re in the area, lace up your shoes, grab your camera, and head out onto the trails. Even if the remnants of a typhoon are raging, you’ll be glad you went.

Tehaleh Project information can be found HERE.