Walked the Redmond Watershed trails this morning in a big, messy clockwise loop from the northern parking lot.  Parking is free and relatively plentiful at both the main southern lot and the northern lot.  Full restrooms were open and in good condition at the south lot, no facilities at the north lot.  No pets (except horses) allowed at this property as per normal.  Some of the trails also allow mountain bikes (only saw one today.)  The trails are in great shape with the only issue being dodging the occasional pony doody as to be expected with equestrian usage.  The small paved trail from the south lot to Frog Pond is ADA accessible if your party has folks in wheel or power chairs.   

The forest here remains surprisingly green still given our dry summer.  Several of the small creeks still even have running water in them.  Quite a bit of wildlife out today - woodpeckers, lots of little brown douglas squirrels, towhee, flicker, a bunch of little forest song birds, quite a few little tree frogs chirping, but the really cool surprise were otters in the pond at the long since gone Siler’s Mill location in the northeast corner of the property.  I stopped and chatted with one as she was eating what appeared to be a salamander for breakfast, but my otter is a bit rusty and I must have said something to offend as it started growling at me and I made my exit.  A super nice little walk if you are in the area made even more special with the addition of otters.  

Not a bad place at all. great sights and a smooth trail.

Easy hike with lots to see. Not too busy, just a few bikers and trail runners.

Quick walk around the Redmond Watershed trails this morning.  The route was a messy exterior loop starting/finishing at the northern parking lot with side trips to the old dam site and frog pond for a total of about 5.2 miles.  Parking is free at either the north or main southern lot.  Full restrooms were open and in good condition at the south lot (no facilities at the north lot.)  No pets allowed as per normal at this property.  The trails were in excellent condition plus there was a crew out brushing the Siler’s Mill trail on the eastern side doing a super nice job, kudos.  Did see what appeared to be some bear scat at a single location in the NE section but no other tracks or evidence.

Wildlife this morning included a bunch of douglas squirrel, lots of nice summer bird song, garter snakes, heard but did not see a raven,  a couple wood ducks and a merganser on frog pond, plus there are a number of areas along the utility corridors where you could see that deer had bedded which is kinda neat.  Lots of foxgloves, some fireweed, native rose, field clover, purple hedge nettle, daisies, etc, etc brightening the meadows.  There are a few spots where ghost plant/indian pipe is coming up already too (creepy!)  A super nice little forest walk if you are in the area.  

Link to further info about the location - https://www.redmond.gov/facilities/facility/details/Watershed-Preserve-Trails-76

It was a great day time hike to take even in a rainy day. Few lakes to stop and relax. Rest rooms in south entrance was very clean and tidy.