I left Burien in the early afternoon and traversed the western edge of West Seattle, reaching the water taxi pier just after sunset on a brisk February day. My route started from home, but this hike could easily start at Westwood Village, which is served by the RapidRide C and H lines.
This was a lucky Saturday to walk through White Center, as there was a truck selling fresh scones in the McLendon Hardware parking lot. After a further fuel stop at the Salvadorean Bakery, I headed to the Cambridge St entrance to Roxbury Park. The park proved a beautiful (if occasionally muddy) escape from the concrete, but I got lost as usual in its hilly thatch of trails. This just meant more clean air and forest smells before I stumbled out onto Barton St and made my way to the Fauntleroy ferry terminal. I took the access trail just north of the dock and walked across an idyllic stretch of residential beach before reaching the even more idyllic park. Lincoln Park sported a dazzling array of dogs who had gathered to see and be seen; I almost missed the troll sculpture amidst the furry friends and impending sunset. I departed Lincoln Park onto Beach Dr SW, which took me all the way to Alki Point.
The stretch between Lincoln Park and Alki contains several small parks and beach access points where one can enjoy the lapping of Puget Sound away from the crowds at the major West Seattle parks. These afforded me some dazzling prospects of Vashon, Blake, and Bainbridge Island as the sun continued to drop. I then skirted past Alki Point and onto the trail that took me all the way to the West Seattle Water Taxi terminal, with a brief stop at the always surprising public restroom at the Alki Beach Bathhouse. I reached Marination Ma Kai at the water taxi terminal just shy of 13 miles into my hike. I ate a hearty meal while waiting for the next departure. The view from the boat ride across Elliott Bay came up in the clutch as always, and upon landing on the downtown waterfront I was right across Alaskan Way from a RapidRide C and H stop. This turned my one-way hike into a highly convenient loop.
The cold temperature kept me from sweating too much and inspired a brisk pace, but I recommend that my fellow winter hikers bring gloves and scarves to thwart the merciless wind blowing in from the sound.
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