Fires and weather precluded my ability to reach some of the prime fall-foliage areas; however, a vicarious hike to Blue Lake, and then personal hikes to Blue Lake, Sagebrush Lookout, and Poo Poo Point and beyond as well as many late afternoon walks in Seattle enabled me to enjoy the change from summer to the approaching winter. Some lessons learned. I will begin with yesterday's hike to Poo Poo point and beyond.
October 29, 2025: There remained at least five additional parking spots at the trailhead for the Chirico trail to Poo Poo Point. It was 11:30 and the top was in cloud -- would there be rain? (there wasn't, the cloud formation [and associated showers] moved south and east, and I enjoyed increasing sun as the day progressed). The facilities were four individual sanicans: the one I chose was in, relatively speaking, great shape. The trailed was decorated in some storm debris and lots of different leaves and needles. These did not hinder passage. Reached the 'top' and the cloud layer had lifted to 2,500 feet and the views of the Puget Sound were good although somewhat blurred due to the high humidity just below the clouds. I decided to press on and took the Poo Poo Point trail further north until it joined the One View Trail and I stayed on that until I reached a high point of about 2,250 ft. I concluded that I had a ways to go to reach the top of West Tiger 1. Returned to the 'top' of Poo Poo Point and enjoyed a somewhat clearer view towards the west and north. There was much more blue sky and bright sun and the lighting on both vine maple and bigleaf maple trees was increasingly spectacular. At the point where there is a good view south, I was slow, but able to capture one paraglider and the storm clouds blocking any view of Rainier. An enjoyable fall outing on a great trail system that is very close to a major population area. The weather was one of those 'clear' days that make the fall and winter period liveable.
My wife and I first discovered the trail, which eventually became the Chirico trail, up to Poo Poo Point in 2007 and since then have found it perfect under conditions not so suitable for a hike further east. When we first hiked it, parking was never an issue. Parking has been in such demand over the last half decade that a home-grown local parking industry has developed and has flourished.
October 23, 2025. Seattle and many of the communities in the Puget Sound are blessed with not only lots of native flora, but also many non-native flora several of which have been chosen because of their noted autumn leaf coloration. A walk in almost all neighborhoods results in lots of great fall leaf displays. Places such as the UW campus, the Washington Park Arboretum and the much of the 'emerald necklace of Seattle offer outstanding fall leaf coloration. A chance to have a low carbon footprint, lots of exercise, and an enjoyable experience.
October 17: Spokane Gulch trail to the Sagebrush Lookout. Except in the heat of summer, I have found this to be great exercise that a diverse hiking and viewing experiences, and that offers a few distant hiking opportunities. The greatest plus is its proximity to the Mazama Store and the Public House at Mazama. These are great places to offset any workout gains from hiking this trail or even its distant additional hiking opportunities.
October 15: Hike to Blue Lake. A trip after the first major snowstorm. The facility at Blue Lake is great; however, when there is a line of 8 people waiting, not ideal. There is a facility at the Washington Pass overlook view-point. The access road may not be cleared. I have been to Blue Lake within days of the opening of SR 20 and literally a day before it was closed. One could probably reach it any day of the year; getting to the trailhead would be the major difficulty. Such days in the winter would have to be days of low avalanche conditions. Watching the people hiking on October 15 highlighted the lack of good footwear and, especially the absence of spikes and adequate (and appropriate) gear if one became injured or lost.
October 11: The family that hiked to Blue Lake on Saturday, October 11, encountered lots of people, rain, and snow. Their summary of the hike was that the cloud and weather made it magical. I also have found that just going, if within your abilities, can be a magical experience, especially when your expectations might been very low.
Please take advantage of all the local and near-by opportunities to get out.
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