No. 299 8 Walks to Burn Off Thanksgiving Carbs in the Seattle Area

Here's 8 easy to moderate walks/hikes that can balance out the Turkey Day meal and experience the pacific northwest outdoors around Seattle.

Seattle 

1. Discovery Park - http://pugetexposure.blogspot.com/2011/09/west-point-lighthouse-discovery-park.html

The site is one of breathtaking majesty. Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, Discovery Park offers spectacular view of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges. The secluded site includes two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active sand dunes, thickets and streams.





East of Seattle
 Kirkland, Washington

2. Juanita Bay http://pugetexposure.blogspot.com/2012/05/juanita-bay-kirkland-washingotn.html

Juanita Bay Park is a 110 acre open area that features paved trails, raised boardwalks, open lawn areas with benches and picnic tables. The park is at the bottom of Kirkland's north hill and surrounds the northeast shoreline of Lake Washington. Just steps away from Kirkland's Marke Street begins this Urban WIldlife Habitat. The seemless mix of tall trees, green space, wetlands, marsh, and lake water provide protection and large selection of food source to sustain a large variety of animal

3. Waverly Beach Park   http://pugetexposure.blogspot.com/2012/10/131.html

Waverly Park is one of those hidden lake side parks that only locals seem to know about. It is a few blocks off the main road which makes it hard for passers by to easily stumble up on this waterfront park. Located at the bottom of a hill his park offers nearly 500 feet of waterfront on 2.76 acres of prime waterfront real estate right on Lake Washington. Features public dock, picnic tables, benches, restrooms, children’s playground, open lawn areas, on-site parking, enclosed swimming area, fishing area, and windsurfing area. During the summer months a privately run refreshment stand serves up drinks and ice cream to cool off.

 Snoqualmie 

4. Snoqualmie Falls  http://pugetexposure.blogspot.com/2012/05/snoqualmie-falls.html


Snoqualmie Falls is a 268 ft (82 m) waterfall on the Snoqualmie River between Snoqualmie and Fall City, Washington,USA. It is one of Washington's most popular scenic attractions, but is perhaps best known internationally for its appearance in the cult television series Twin Peaks. More than 1.5 million visitors come to the Falls every year, where there is a two acre (8,000 m²) park, an observation deck, and a gift shop.

5. Northwest Railway Museum   http://pugetexposure.blogspot.com/2012/07/northwest-railway-musuem.html

The Snoqualmie Depot was constructed in 1890 by the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway. It was used by successor companies Seattle and International Railroad, Northern Pacific Railway, and the Burlington Northern Railroad. The Snoqualmie Depot is open 7 days a week year 'round (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day; there is limited access during Day Out With Thomas and Santa Train events).


North of Seattle 
6. Arlington 
Centennial Trail - http://pugetexposure.blogspot.com/2014/01/no-233-nakashima-heritage-barn.html


Started in 1989 during Washington State's 100th centennial celebration, the Centennial Trail is a 30 mile long paved pedestrian walkway. At 12 feet wide, slight grade this trail is popular for walkers, hikers, dogs, cyclists and even riders on horseback with the flanked grassy path running parallel to the trail. The Centennial Trail runs from downtown Snohomish to the north to the Skagit Valley County Line. With future plans to expand and connect it other popular area trails in the north and the south such as Woodinville's Burke-Gilman Trail. Since 2011 Snohomish County has added 9 miles to the Centennial Trail which runs through the towns of Snohomish, Lake Stevens, Marysville and Arlington as a "Rails to Trails" project repurposing a former Burlington-Norther Railroad line.

3. Everett 

7. Spencer Island - http://pugetexposure.blogspot.com/2013/01/154.html


Spencer Island lies in the heart of the Snohomish River Estuary, an ecosystem formed by mixing a freshwater system (the Snohomish River) and a saltwater system (Port Gardner Bay). It is one of the best places in the Snohomish River Estuary to view waterfowl and shorebirds such as ducks, heron, hawks and bald eagles. If you watch your steps you might see some small and larger mamals such as river otters and deer. On clear days the snow capped tops of the cascade mountain range and Mount Baker are visible to the east and to the north. The island is co-owned by Snohomish County and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Snohomish County owns the south half of the island, while WDFW owns the north half.

4. Gold Bar 

8. Wallace Falls State Park http://pugetexposure.blogspot.com/2013/09/wallace-falls-state-park-gold-bar-wa.html

Wallace Falls, named after homesteaders Joe and Sarah Kwayaylsh members of the Skykomish tribe, is a 4,735 acre forest land on the western slope of the North Cascade Mountain range in Snohomish County. The park has three back country lakes, Jay Lake, Shaw Lake and Wallace Lake which are connected via the Wallace River. The river trickles, snakes, gurgles and plunges its way through the park until the valley basin. Some where within the park there has to be a waterfall worth of a title right? Well there are more than 9 waterfalls in the park. Some small some larger, some are running year round while others only run in late winter/early spring with the snowmelt run off. The 4 falls that are more easily accessible can be found along the Woody Trail, a 2.3 mile / 3.7 km long dirt trail that is well maintained and well marked. After recent rain fall, the trail might be come very muddy and slippery in spots. There are numerous switch backs and steep inclines that have tall raised steps. At 6'1 I did not have much trouble navigating the steps and switch backs, but those shorter might have more difficulty with the high steps. 2.3 miles may not seem like much, just remember its 2.3 miles each way (5.6 miles round trip) and its up and down hill sides with incremental elevation gains of 500 feet in short distances. Proper footwear and good to better conditioning is required to make it a safe and enjoyable hike. We made Wallace Falls into a mid morning hike and returned to the trailhead in about 3 1/2 hours with stops along the way

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No.125 Nisqually WIldlife Refuge

Nisqually Wildlife Refuge
I-5 Exit 114
8 Miles north of Olympia
Website: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Nisqually/

MAP IT
Open Daily Sunrise to Sunset
$3 fee per group of 4 Adults



The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife preserve operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service on the Nisqually River Delta near Puget Sound in northeastern Thurston County, Washington and northwestern Pierce County, Washington. The refuge is located just off Interstate 5, between the cities of Tacoma and Olympia.
The 12.6 km² refuge was created in 1974 to provide habitat and nesting areas for waterfowl and other migratory birds. It includes a protected estuary, salt marshes and open mudflats, freshwater marshes, open grassland, and riparian woodland and brush. An additional 3.2 square kilometres (1.2 sq mi) planned is protected by the disjoint Black River Unit on a tributary of the Chehalis River.
Over 20,000 birds, made up of 275 different migrating species, use the freshwater marshes and grasslands for breeding, resting or wintering. The most abundant bird types include raptors, shorebirds and songbirds. Larger animals such as hawks and coyotes feast in the grassland due to the presence of mice and voles.
The riparian woodland and brush habitats contain many amphibians, mammals and reptiles. The Refuge has around 5 miles of walking trails. The one-mile long raised boardwalk Twin Barns Loop Trail takes you past various marshes and small ponds, past the Twin Barns and then to open estuary.

Entrance to Nisqually Refuge

Portion of Twin Barns Loop Trail

The Eastern Twin of the Twin Barns

Mallard Duck eating algae in a pond

Everyone is in on it

A Young Red Tailed Hawk keeps an eye on the walkers below

Be mindful of the squirrels

Spider Web covered in morning dew

wildlife photos

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No. 31 Diablo Lake

Diablo Lake

Distance from Seattle 124 miles, 2 1/2 hrs

Drive I-5 to the Burlington/Anacortes Ferry/Rte 20 east exit (exit 230, south of Bellingham, north of Everett), or Hwy 9 to Rte 20 at Sedro Woolley.

The drive to Diablo Lake will take you through flat plains of agricultural fields and live stock ranches, weaves along side creeks and rivers and starts you on your accent into the Cascade Mountain Region. Depending on the time of year you are making this road trip you will be able to spot visiting American Bald Eagles in the hundreds during the winter migration to Rockport (You can read about Eagle spotting here). See running waterfalls along side the road. Waterfalls are best viewed in early spring or after a heavy rain fall for best flow rates. Remember to bring a long a sturdy tripod, cable release and microfiber cloths if you plan on doing some water fall shots to get the an interesting image. 

Diablo Lake is a reservoir in the North Cascade mountains of northern Washington state, USA. Created by Diablo Dam, the lake is located between Ross Lake and Gorge Lake on the Skagit River at an elevation of 1,201 feet (366 m) above sea level. Diablo Lake is part of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project and managed by Seattle City Light

The lake is home to rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and the federally threatened bull trout. It is a popular recreational spot for kayakers and canoeists. The unique, intense turquoise hue of the lake's water is attributed to the surrounding glaciers that grind rocks into a fine powder that is carried into the lake through creeks. That fine powder stays suspended in the lake, giving the water its brilliant color.Diablo Lake receives the flow of many glaciers, including North Cascades National Park's largest, Boston Glacier high on the flanks of 8,845-foot Mount Forbidden. That gorgeous green is caused by tiny rock particles eroded by the ice.

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No. 19 Saint Edwards State Park- Kenmore, Washington

Park overview:
Saint Edward State Park is a 316-acre day-use park with 3,000 feet of freshwater shoreline on Lake Washington. Once a Catholic seminary, the park's rich history reflects in its grounds and architecture. Walks along the undeveloped lakeshore are peaceful and give the visitor many opportunities for nature study.

Park hours/updates:

The park is open year round for day use only.

Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.

Requires a Discover Pass $10 a day $30 a year







Driving Directions
Located at the north end of Lake Washington in Kenmore, Wash. in King County.


Park address:
14445 Juanita Drive NE
Kenmore, WA 98028

From I-405 northbound:
Take exit #20-A (116th St. N.E.) and turn west (left). Travel 4.5 miles. (At 98th Ave., the road name changes to Juanita Dr.) Park entrance is on left.

From I-405 southbound:
Exit at Hwy. 522 (exit #23-B). Drive through Bothell to Kenmore. Turn left at 68th Ave. (68th turns into Juanita Dr.) Park is 1.5 miles on the right.

From I-5:
Take exit #175 (145th St.) and travel east to Bothell Way. Turn left. Travel north to 68th Ave. in Kenmore. (68th turns into Juanita Dr). Park is 1.5 miles on the right.

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