Jeno and I decided to check out the trails that head from Big Tree Ridge to the Million Dollar View this morning. Since Maddy was up here on December 7th, all the trees that were down on the trails we took have been cleared out and cut up. Thanks to the hard working King County crews who did that. (more on them later)
When we met at 6:00 AM the gate to the Big Tree Ridge trailhead off Newport Way was locked so we parked just down the road at a pullout that holds about 4 cars. While the trails are all clear there are two spots to watch out for in the first mile. A large root ball has taken out part of the trail (see the photo of me measuring it) and the trail now goes to the left between the root ball and a previously downed tree which you can see in my photo. Right past that is an area where something left a large crater in the trail and took out about half of it on the downslope side. Both are easy to get around/through but just something to keep an eye on.
We got up to the Million Dollar View and enjoyed the lights. While we were taking our break we saw a truck driving up the road to the park up there. It was a King County worker who was opening things up and collecting trash. We stopped and talked with him for a little bit before heading back down.
We only ran into two hikers this morning who wished us a Happy Solstice. I am so used to saying Happy Holidays this time of year that their greeting threw me for a second before I figured things out and returned their greeting. On our way down I told my buddy it would be funny if we ran into the King County worker in the Big Tree parking lot. As we got down there sure enough he drove in to pick up trash and clean things up. We talked to him and introduced ourselves and it turns out his name is Steve too (what a small world). He told us he is responsible for 15 parks around the eastside getting them open, cleaned, taking trash, first thing in the morning. Jeno and I want to say thanks to Steve and all the other hard working men and women from King County who do all those things so we can enjoy the trails. We salute you and thank you.
I think our next hike will be after the holidays so to all the trip reporters and trip report readers Happy Holidays to all. I hope Santa brings you everything you asked for.
Stay safe everyone. See you on the trail. SR
Comments
Maddy on Surprise Creek, Big Tree Ridge, Red Cedars, Shangri La
Almost crossed paths again but again off by 2 hours. I like the trademark rootball measuring pose ..lol
Posted by:
Maddy on Dec 21, 2024 08:01 PM
stever on Surprise Creek, Big Tree Ridge, Red Cedars, Shangri La
LOL! I thought the same thing. One of these days we will run across one another.
Jeno told me I had to make the same pose with my trekking pole for my measurement to be "official."
Happy Holidays to you and your family. SR
Posted by:
stever on Dec 21, 2024 09:05 PM