Of course, March on any trail is going to be muddy but there were very few muddy places today and were very readily avoided. We saw our first Trillium of the season a half mile in from the South parking lot and soon thereafter found too many to count. It was great to get out of our neighborhood walking rut and take a hike through the Preserve. I've been nursing an acute back/hip episode this week so this was my first venture out to test my agility. Good times were had by all.

beautiful day for a hike here. there is are muddy parts, so proper shoes required.

Needed a quick, close in walk on Sunday afternoon and did the big, exterior loop at the Redmond Watershed from the north lot off NE 133rd st. The loop plus an out and back to the western most pond is a little over 4.5 miles. The trails are muddy, the ones shared with equestrians are getting a bit torn up but to be expected given how much rain we have had recently. All recent blowdown has long since been bucked up and is out of the way. One very nice surprise is the frogs have started to chirp along the Siler's Mill trail on the east side of the watershed. An easy walk through a nice, older second generation forest. http://www.redmond.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=4175

This is a very well maintained and quiet trail. Definitely a good beginner's hike, with no large inclines. The only company I came across throughout my hike were these two deer

Lovely group walk today at the Watershed Preserve. We walked the two southern loops (the 1.7 and the 1.9). The trail is in great condition though the cold temperatures created a fair amount of frost heaving. Good to be careful of these patches as the collapse in an inch or so with your footsteps. Still, the formations create a great discovery for people unfamiliar with ground frost in wetlands. No significant snow or ice to be concerned with. Another important note: the restrooms were open.