This trip was a WTA work party to build new trail for several sections of this hike. We arrived at the intersection of NE Harrison and Grand Ridge Drive in Issaquah, in the heart of developing suburbia, with drizzle, clouds, and views of downtown Bellevue and Seattle. This is a trailhead that is not described in the online trail guide, but it is used by bikers and hikers. John was our crew leader, with ACLs Pete, Jim, and JB. We had a mix of both seasoned and novice trail workers, though no newbies today. After doughnuts and the safety orientation, we walked 1/8 mile down a private paved road to the trailhead. We turned left, and proceeded about 1/2 mile along the Grand Ridge Trail. In the forest the sounds and views of suburbia might as well have been a thousand miles away.

We deviated from the main trail, following orange flags that marked the soon-to-be trail. No trail work had been done to that point. We cleared brush, undergrowth, and detritus with Pulaskis (adze-axe combo) and grub hoes. Next, we graded and shaped a trail surface with shovels and McLeods (square-shaped hoe-like tool with teeth on one side and flat surface on the other, also good for tamping down dirt). There was no shortage of roots that required removal. We were visited by a salamander, but there were no other significant wildlife encounters except a brief canine incursion at lunchtime. We were spared rain and even were treated to a few "sun-breaks". We returned along the main trail, which was suffering from poor drainage, mudholes, inconsistent outslope, and clogged drainages; hence the need for a brand-new trail with proper outslopes and drainages. After it was all over and we had reshaped wild forest into 100+ feet of trail, we indulged in caffeine and carbohydrates.

I was dropped off at the north trailhead at 2pm. There was some space to pull over and park a few hundred feet west of the trailhead.

Followed the trail all the way to Central Park. The trail was in good condition, apart from a few muddy puddles and a single blowdown. Trail junctions were not signed, so it was good to have a map.

Encountered at most a dozen parties, most of them on mountain bikes.

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/[…]/GrandRidgeParkOctober2012
Tracklog: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/235390420

August 1st is synonymous with the 1st day of each year's Hike-A-Thon. This year, my first hike was an early morning hike led by Kara for H.A.T. There were 9 of us meeting at the trailhead at 5:30, then brief introductions, sign ins, and off we went as the sun was just getting up. We had the trail all to ourselves as we started out, and later met a few bicyclists and gave them a spiel on WTA. Good thing I had my H.A.T. ID's to pass out... hope to get a few more sponsorships :) On the way back, the clouds dissipated and the sun started filtering thru the trees. We meandered thru the woods about 6 miles rd trip. Great way to start a work day! The trail is great shape -- kudos to WTA for a fanastic job on the trail and the bridges!

What do you get when you combine nine early morning hikers, one meticulously groomed trail created by WTA, muffins, and three passing mountain bikers to solicit for sponsorship? The kick-off hike for Hike-a-Thon 2012, that's what!!!

We started our hike by rallying at the north end of the Grand Ridge Trail at 5:30 am, or what some affectionately refer to as the butt crack of dawn. At that time of day the trailhead is pretty hard to see because the Issaquah-Fall City Road winds through dense forest through there and the sign for the trailhead is parallel to the roadway and tucked back to the edge of the tree line on the south side of the road and it is not so conveniently colored very dark blue.

I passed it three times. The good news is that I doubt any of you drive a vehicle any bigger than mine (suburban), so even if you pass the trailhead, oh say...three times...like I did, don't panic, because you can safely turn around on the roadway in several places.

At this end of the trail there are two fairly generous gravel turnouts just east of the trailhead. The eastern most one on the north side of the road is deep enough that if you do angled back-in parking, you can fit five or six full-size vehicles. Plus then when you're back to your rig at the end of your hike, you're ready to just pull out onto the road and go. Easy-peasy.

The trail itself is absolutely gorgeous. Really easy on the knees, meticulously groomed, well marked and defined, and free of tripping hazards for us more clumsy hikers. We hadn't gotten too far into our hike when we came across a trail hogging snail that had decided to move his house. We asked to see his trip permit, but he was slow to respond.

There were a few mosquitos out already but they weren't a bother, but they might really get buzzing by midday, so you should probably pack some bug repellent just in case.

The only other thing to be aware of on this trail is that it is also a mountain bike trail, so keep your eye out for cyclists coming from either direction.

There's a ton of really beautiful forest flora to get familiar with and the dense canopy of evergreens gives this trail a nice shady atmosphere that would be sure to cool on a hot summer day. The boardwalk winds through what looks like a peat bog and is a great feature to the trail that showcases the skills and hardwork of the WTA work parties and volunteers that poured their hearts and sweat into creating this trail.

I personally loved quick elevation changes of about 600'; up and down, then switchbacks, then boardwalks and bridges...it made me feel like I was going over hill and dell to grandmother's house. Complete with scrumptious muffins this morning!

I can't promise you muffins when you decide to hike this trail, but what I can promise is that this trail is sure to please even without muffins! Happy hiking!