Had a little time before work so decided to do a bit of exploring. Marckworth Forest delivers if you don't mind mostly road walk.

DNR 1020, Youngs Creek TH. Nowhere near "Issaquah Alps". Went about two hours in. Saw no one.

"Lake Dorothy".  That's what it says on the map, but it's more of a pond.

After a week of suffering through the latest seasonal cold making the rounds, this morning was just too beautiful to spend another day indoors. A few hours of gentle forest walking on the north side of Marckworth  Forest was just what the doctor ordered. Several parking options along the main road (Discover Pass required). The "trails" I stuck to were just the old overgrown road walks, which suited my energy level today. Most of the areas I puttered around in are mixed 2nd growth with a lovely understory of vine maples clothed in soft mosses and lichens. The maple foliage was a soft, lemon-chiffon shade of yellow, really pretty with the sun filtering through to the emerald green fern and moss lined forest floor below.  Stopped by a few of the small ponds located here and there, and visited some of the creeks. The only company I had today were a few flocks of cheerful songbirds, some randomly vocal treefrogs, and what seemed like several hundred orange and black fuzzy caterpillars; they seemed to be sticking to the road as well, Mother Nature's little Trick-or-Treaters.