I was in Seattle this weekend for the
Opening Day for Trails.
Seattle consistently ranks as one of the top cities in the U.S. for bicycling, and western Washington offers many
opportunities for cycling when it comes to rail-trailing. Of course, due to the population of the area, these trails are less Wilderness Riding and more Recreational/Commuter riding. I spent some time on each of two connected trails - the
East Sammamish Lake Trail, and the
Sammamish River Trail.
East Sammamish Lake Trail
Like many names in the Northwest, Sammamish is derived from the name of the Native American people that once occupied this area, predominantly at the north end of the lake, where it flows into the river. The eastern shore of the lake is now lined with homes, and much of the trail runs along a corridor between rows of homes. although it is still a pleasant route, there are few unobstructed views of the lake. The short of is that if I lived in the area, I would use the trail for commuting or evening strolls, but I would not recommend this as must-see trail. I turned around half-way through and drove north to the River Trail.
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| There's construction going on at the south end of the trail (starting at NW Gilman Blvd) and you can't get on the trail there. Instead, drive north from I-90 to the entrance of Lake Sammamish State Park. You can park here for free if you have a Washington Discover Pass, or $10 otherwise. |
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| Much of the trail is gravel, although not unbearable. The lake is to the left, with housing on both sides. |
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| This picture was taken over the top of the fence to get a clearer view of the lake. |
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| There were some nice stretches where you might forget that you're in a residential area. (but not many ;-) |
Sammamish River Trail
The Sammamish River Trail is best classified as a
Greenway, used heavily by commuters and recreators alike. Starting at
Marymoor Park on the south end, it passes through Redmond, and continues north to Woodinville. In what is perhaps typical Seattle style, there were quite a few people out and about, even with the persistent drizzle. People here just go on living their lives, undaunted by the rain.
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| Heading north through Redmond, the trail passes through housing and business parks. Perhaps because of the more open feel, I found this trail much more pleasant than the Lake trail. |
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| A trestle remaining from a Burlington Northern right-of-way is now being repurposed as the Redmond Central Connector trail, connecting the Sammamish River Trail to the Bear Creek Trail. |
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| Much of the trail is actually a levee resulting from a straightening of the river (in the 1960's) in an effort to make it more navigable. |
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| I noticed the Windmill as I was returning to the park. I learned that this was once part of the estate from which Marymoor Park was purchased. |
