“The simplicity of walking — the essential humanness of putting one foot in front of the other — made a deep kind of sense.”
— Nick Hunt, Walking the Woods and the Water
Ferry arriving at the downtown terminal, Seattle
This segment of my Seattle periphery walk would make a perfect day hike for tourists because it bypasses some of the city’s most iconic spots. I resumed my trek at the downtown ferry terminal. Commuters were already making ready for their day’s work.
Then I detoured up two streets to the Pike Place Market, where fish, food, and flower vendors were just setting up their stalls. I dropped by the historic first Starbucks store for a cup of coffee.
Seattle’s Big Wheel
I returned to the waterfront and headed north to my next destination, the outdoor Olympic Sculpture Park, which is open from dawn to dusk. Admission is free. The views and art are priceless.
The Elliott Bay trail, a multi-purpose biking and pedestrian path, follows the shores of Puget Sound toward the Magnolia neighborhood. I stopped to look at the amazing Amgen Helix Bridge, a pedestrian bridge to the Amgen campus.
The trail continued past the Pier 89 grain elevators. Looking back toward downtown, Mount Rainier shone brightly on the horizon.
Now the path took me through another industrial area. Decoupling trains clanked in the railroad yard. Rather than cross into Magnolia on the Magnolia Bridge, I decided to continue up and around on the trail to Smith Cove. I thought I would find a way to walk up from the marina there to the Magnolia bluff, but I discovered this was a dead end. I had to backtrack and get on the Magnolia Bridge after all.
Elliott Bay trail toward Magnolia and Ballard
Smith Cove marina
Walking on the Magnolia Bridge
View from the bridge
Once I reached the Magnolia neighborhood, I followed Magnolia Boulevard toward Discovery Park. Although I was walking through a residential area, there were nice sidewalks and public areas on the bluff overlooking the Sound, and the homes were across the street. This neighborhood did a great job accommodating walkers!
I finally reached Discovery Park and entered on 43rd Avenue West. This Seattle park is still relatively untamed, with dense trees, ravines, and a shoreline, all cut with steep trails. I followed the loop trail to the West Point lighthouse and then to the north parking lot.
Exiting the north parking lot, I made a short left on 40th Avenue West and then a right on West Commodore Way. This street took me to the Ballard Locks, where I was able to cross the Ship Canal. The fish ladders, which are ludicrously active during salmon spawning season, were empty of fish this time of year. The locks were busy as usual, with boaters navigating from the salt waters of Puget Sound to the fresh waters of Lake Union and Lake Washington.
Boats waiting to enter the locks
Spillway
I ended my walk at the Ballard Locks and caught the Number 44 bus back home.
Estimated walking distance: 11-1/2 miles
Exploring Seattle On Foot: Long Walk # 2
July 1, 2011
“I have never found a city without its walkers’ rewards.”
— John Finley, “Traveling Afoot”
Common sight on urban walks, waiting for the walking sign
I so enjoyed my first long urban hike across the I-90 floating bridge (see yesterday’s post), that I’ve planned several more.
I set out on my second long walk, a journey of 8-1/2 miles, from my home to the Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle. I hiked 3-1/2 hours, including stops for photos and coffee and a picnic breakfast, along a route with scenic trails. Here are some highlights:
6:00 a.m. on the path at Green Lake: notice my long shadow in the early morning light
Summer morning at Green Lake
First stop: the Woodland Park Rose Garden at 50th & Fremont Ave N (unfortunately, the gates did not open until 7 a.m.)
I could still enjoy the roses viewed through my zoom lens!
Tree-lined walk down Fremont Avenue N
Waiting for the Interurban sculpture at Fremont & N 34th Streets. It's a Seattle tradition to decorate these statues.
Trees line the Ship Canal between the locks and Lake Union. My walk took me along the Ship Canal Trail.
Rowers on the Ship Canal
I crossed over the train tracks on W Dravus Street after stopping for coffee at Starbucks.
Mount Rainier seen from the Elliott Bay Trail
I took a short detour off the trail to check out the Amgen Helix Bridge.
The Amgen Helix Bridge is a pedestrian bridge to the Amgen campus.
Looking across Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains from the Elliott Bay Trail
Totem pole along the Elliott Bay Trail
Small rose garden along the trail, with Spaceneedle in the background
Lovely yellow roses
The trail runs along the Olympic Sculpture Park.
I walked along Seattle's waterfront to the Hill Climb to the Pike Place Market.
Flower vendor at the Pike Place Market
Truck at the Pike Place Market
Rosemary's Blog 