Our first time exploring Discovery Park. We were able to find an open spot in the north parking lot, and the nearby restroom and culture center were both open.

The trail system is very well marked. We spent a few hours wandering around and basking in the sun. There are some muddy areas, but otherwise both the paved and dirt trails are in good condition.

When we returned to our car around 3PM there were lines of vehicles circling the parking lot hoping to find an open space. Get here early, especially on a nice day!

A beautiful loop from the north lot through Hidden Valley trail to South Lookout Beach, cutting back north at Birds Nest.

A bit of blowdown from earlier wind storm blocking part of the South Beach trail that required a slight detour.

4 miles | 469 elv. gain 

#LoveLocalTrails

Quick new year’s day walk around Discovery Park and down to the beach.  Parking is free and plentiful though it can fill up fast.  Additionally the lot next to the visitors center was closed for construction.  Restrooms were open though the sani-can that had been down at the beach area is no longer there.  We actually parked at the Hiram Chittenden locks and walked over using the super secret pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks, (you didn’t hear it from me, but it’s at the end of 33rd Ave W just south of Commodore Way.)  The Discovery Park trails are generally in good shape though both the north and south beach access trails are a bit muddy as they normally are this time of year.  However the BIG, BIG news trail wise is that the partially collapsed wonky tilted creek bridge on the north beach trail has finally been replaced!  I couldn’t believe it!  The new structure is very nice and so much safer.  

Down at the beach you could really see the effect of the  king tides, basically the entire beach is covered in water and driftwood has been thrown way up into the beach grass.  Pretty quiet wildlife wise but there were a fair number of different ducks, a bunch of gulls,, a couple heron and one grumpy looking seal.  A very nice, relatively easy first walk of the year.  Happy New Year’s everybody. 

When the weather mellowed out this afternoon, I walked around Magnolia on the beach.

Low tide was to be +3 at 5:45 PM, has to be below +4.5 the whole time to complete the loop.  Left my house in Ballard after 3, hit the beach at Elliott Bay Marina about 5.  Winds were forecast 10 - 15 from the S, part of the reason I did it this direction this time.

Got on the beach N of the first houses, would have had to walk the slippery rocks to start from the Marina.  There is a trail through the woods behind the bench.  There is the greatest waterfront encampment here, complete with solar path light and a lifetime of found things adorning the grounds.  Usually I just pass by, but today I wanted to check it out.

"Hello?"  I called out again, "Hello?"  With no response, avoiding the tarp structures, I enjoyed the dwindling light from my high perch.  I said "Thank You!" as I left to let anyone there I had no ill intentions.  It's a sweet spot and I will be back.

On the other side of the woods,  over the pipe the beach opened up, really an easy stroll all the way to Discovery Park.  Made it across the Locks with time to spare, they close at 9, but I was home by 7:45.

We've all got "hikes" we do straight from the front door - no driving required - here's one of mine.  The tide dictates this can only be walked at night, an added bonus this time of year when 2/3's of the hours are dark.

Starting from my home, walked through "downtown" Ballard, to and across the Locks.  On the Magnolia side, beneath the railroad bridge I got on the beach heading south.  

Tide was plenty far enough out to get past all the docks, boat ramps, and bulkheads jutting into the water.  There is one wall that sticks out more than any of the others, tide needs to be +3 or lower to get by.  There is some mud in this stretch, all the silt from Lake Washington flows through this channel into Salmon Bay, but even in tennis shoes my feet stayed dry.

Kept on the beach to the bottom of the stairs at the north end of North Beach in Discovery Park.  I had planned to walk to Elliott Bay Marina, but since I just did that 2 days ago I changed plans and headed for home.  So up the stairs to the park exit.

I hoped to make it back across the Locks before they closed at 9 but was too late, had to walk to and across the Ballard Bridge then home.  Total trip about 3.5 hours.

And now - for the beach lover and rail enthusiast - I am going to take the train from King Street Station to Edmonds this evening (Monday the 5th) and walk the beach back to Carkeek Park, if anyone wants to join.  Not only do you get to ride, but likely we will be passed by a few in our hours of beach walking. 

Sounder N Line departs KSS at 4;30, arrives Edmonds at 5, meet up there.  Then rush into Edmonds Marina Beach Park before it closes at dusk.  The rest of the walk can be more leisurely, low tide is after 9.  Bus from Carkeek to KSS runs all night so you can get back to your car, or just walk home like I will.  Ho Ho Ho!