Redmond Watershed Preserve — Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

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.