urban hikes | Rosemary's Blog

Circumambulating Seattle 2: Eastern Boundary Along Lake Washington

July 1, 2014

Walking along Lake Washington Blvd, Seattle

I continued my long walk around the periphery of Seattle with another segment on the eastern border of the city. Most of this day’s walk was along the shores of Lake Washington on good sidewalks in dappled shade. My husband dropped me off in the Laurelhurst neighborhood at 42nd N.E. and I hiked south from there.

Blackberry blossoms

You really can’t go far in Seattle without seeing blackberry bushes growing wild. They were in full blossom.

Center for Urban Horticulture

I soon arrived at the Center for Urban Horticulture where I wandered around the flower beds and botanic gardens. There is always something delightful growing and blooming here.

At the Center for Urban Horticulture

The path through the cultivated gardens leads on into the wild Union Bay Natural Area, where meadows are under restoration to improve the habitat for birds and other small animals.

Path between the Center for Urban Horticulture and the Union Bay Natural Area

Union Bay Natural Area

The trail continued onto the University of Washington athletic complex, past soccer and track fields, tennis courts, the boathouse, and Husky Stadium. I walked across the Montlake Bridge over the Ship Canal, which links Lake Washington and Lake Union, and from there headed to the Washington Park Arboretum.

Montlake Bridge over the Ship Canal

I passed an old totem pole carved by Haida Chief John Dewey Wallace from Waterfall, Alaska in 1937. I intended to follow the Arboretum trail across Foster Island, but parts of the trail were under water.

Haida totem pole

Instead I entered the Arboretum near E Miller Street in the Montlake neighborhood. Once in the Arboretum, I headed toward its eastern boundary and followed it south. I was still separated from Lake Washington by the Broadmoor Golf Course and its gated community. I hadn’t walked this part of the Arboretum before and the path took me past magnificent tree specimens and a garden showcasing plants from the Pacific Rim.

Path in Washington Park Arboretum

Tulip poplar tree

Looking up

Eucalyptus branch, Pacific Connections Garden

Calla lily at south entrance to Arboretum

Upon exiting the Arboretum, I walked to Madison Avenue and followed it all the way to the shores of Lake Washington. The rest of my long walk followed the lakeshore through these Seattle neighborhoods: Madison Park, Madrona, Leschi, Mount Baker, Lakewood/Seward Park and Rainier Beach. As you can imagine, the residential areas were lined with beautiful homes with lovely landscaping. Lake Washington Boulevard attracts bikers and joggers, and the lake itself is a recreation spot for swimmers, picnickers and boaters.