Was sitting at Hidden Pond and a little storm blew through. Heard lots of trees crashing down. Going south, where the Midway crosses the Cut-off between the Main Tr. and Temple Pond, there are five trees down on the  Cut-off. Not passable right now; you can't cut over to the Temple Pond trail from the Main until these are taken care of. Too big for me to handle...

However,I did clear enough of the mess to make the Midway passable. (Kind of an emergency re-route till it's cleared.) I'm sure it will be worked on this week, 'cause it's a favorite Cut-Off. Good thing I was already up there! Didn't have time to check S. Midway.

Oh, another headzup - I did change the Midway Cut-Off/Waynes World intersection. Again. Just a bit. Instead of an "X", it's back to a "+".  You'll like it...

Ok, so what's the deal with Waynes World?  It's always been Waynes World. Then the new map comes out, and it's "Swamp Gas".  Are you kidding?  Swamp Gas? So you go to the Parks website, and the first thing you see is that "Waynes World is closed." (Which it isn't.)  But it's  called Waynes World...

So which is it?  "Waynes World" or "Swamp Gas" ?  I'll be the first to vote for Waynes World.  Swamp Gas just sounds so . . . unappealing.

So I was aiming for the top of Bald Hill, cutting cross country from the corner of the trail near Marsh pond.  I jumped off trail starting at the blue and white flag/tape.  All went as planned until I hit a RAOD?! Yes, well my planned mini off trail adventure turned into discovering that there is actually a private residence perched right on the top of Bald Hill!  This was surprising, because according to the currently published map of trails (includes some that aren't built yet) a trail is supposed to run right up to the top of Bald Hill and it seemed to imply that Bald Hill is/will be part of Lord Hill Park eventual trail system.  upon looking it up later, there is actually a 69 acre plot of land up there for sale for more than $2.5 million with quite the fancy house right on top! MLS#1101296 in case anyone is curious. So, after poking around for a couple minutes, I followed the road back down until (according to my GPS) a reached "Hidden Springs Book Company" (??) -It looked like a little garden/run down house.  From here I cut cross country and back to Lord Hill's open Quary area and eventually back to the car. Unexpected little adventure, but good times : )  

The sun came out for a minute so I took a quick trip to Lord Hill. Took trip reports suggesrions and did Beaver Lake to Ear Therapy to Easy 8 to Red Barn to North Temple Pond. Found this route very pleasant. Took Pipeline back to Bever Lake.  Tree down at start of Easy 8 obscures trail. (Thanks to orior report ir I would not have found that trail).  Also couple trees down on North Temple Pond loop.  They are fairly easy to get around.  Saw two hikers, one mountain biker, one horse,and rider.  And a flock of Snow geese as I headed back into Snohomish. Lots of fungi and lichens meant it took me two hours plus for a short jaunt.

Midway Cleanup - Part II

If you read my last report, you know I didn't make it all the way down the Midway because I ran out of daylight. There were a LOT of branches to clear after the windstorm. Had the whole day off today, so thought I would finish the job. With the extra time, I decided to hit all the footpaths and check them out. Took all day, but cleared them all :

Startup : Mostly small branches, with one new step-over near the bottom. Easy enough. A nice shortcut from the Springboard to the Main Trail.

Ridgeside : Lots of branches, some big. Big blowdown at top just before ridge descent took some time. Another one at the bottom just above the Meetcutter. (see pics) This is a primitive trail; don't take if you're out for a casual hike.

Riverview : Not too bad, a couple large branches. This is a well traveled trail, and I think someone might have already done some clearing. Thanks! A nice viewpoint above the Snohomish R. on this one.

Midway : South section - My fears of major blowdowns were unfounded. Only had to break out the saw for a large maple branch near the Viewpoint Cut-off. Left a small step-over for the heck of it.  North section : Already cleared.

Midway Cut-off :  (I included the little loop trail that skirts Hidden Pond between the Midway and Midway Cut-off.) Nothing major, just branches. I did brush the ferns a little. Am thinking of redoing the intersection with Waynes World (aka Swamp Gas) now that it's done.

So not too bad really. Took care of a blowdown on the Second Spring since I was passing thru, and scared up a few deer here and there. (Sorry, gals.) Hung out at the Viewpoint for a bit, and didn't see anyone all day. Loved it!

What a mess! I love a good windstorm, but it sure "leaves" a lot of pickin' up!

I always do a trail check after each storm to make sure the trails are passable, and this one really took a toll. My mission today was to clear the Midway, but I only made it as far as the Viewpoint. Most of the smaller branches I just flicked off the trail with my walking stick, and some of the larger ones had to be dragged off. There were quite a few downed trees that had to be muscled off, and I had to leave a few as new step-overs. Took me an hour and a half to get to the Viewpoint, and I ran out of daylight to check the south section. So if you get there before I do, I apologize. I'll try to make it this weekend.

The Parks Dept. and Friends of Lord Hill do a good job of keeping the main trails open, and I know some of the bike riders maintain the bike trails. But the footpaths are maintained by us hikers. This includes the Midway, Midway Cut-off, Startup, Ridgeside, and Riverview. If you want to help out by chucking branches aside, go for it! I'll take care of the big stuff...

Of course, that goes for all the trails. I concentrate on the footpaths first because there are a lot of trails to cover. (I always carry a saw and gloves) Someone will clear the main trails eventually, but in the meantime, do what you can. The last pic shows a branch in the trail at the Pipeline/Temple Pond intersection - one of the busiest in the Park. I know dozens of hikers passed it by, and not one took the time to clear it. It took less than five seconds. (Horse and bike riders, you're excused. I don't expect you to dismount to clear every branch.) C'mon! I know it's not your responsibility, but who do you think does it? It's more of a courtesy - kinda like packing out litter. Nobody will know you did it, you're not going to get a "thank you", but you will leave it better for the next hiker. Just a thought...

Sorry. Got a little sidetracked. Where was I? Oh yeah, the Midway. South section. If you're not familiar with the trail, I'd hold off for a bit. It is BURIED in leaves and hard to spot the trail. I also suspect there are a lot of downed trees. (But there's water in the creek again!) I'll try to get to it this weekend. Happy hiking, and don't put those boots away!