The shores of Lake Sammamish currently have some gorgeous fall color, so to make the most of that on a sunny day I put together this easy lollipop loop. It's a mash up of urban and nature, traffic noise and bird song.
Starting from the Sammamish Landing park (no fee), I headed north toward Redmond. There are peek a boo views of the lake as you walk along the flat paved old railroad track with some trail side info about the lumber mill that use to be here. The cotton woods are really stealing the show right now, one of the tallest deciduous trees in Washington state and there are some giants. The trail passes behind Whole Foods and continues across the road past the new Marymoor Village light rail station. At this street crossing I turned and headed west toward Marymoor park still on a paved trail, passing behind the Velodrome. Then it was directly south across the large parking lots until I was on the Audubon Bird Loop. The board walk is currently accessible and at the south end you get a great on the water view down the lake. I saw raptors in the trees and lots of happy ducks on the lake surface. A kayaker gently paddled past. This was my turn around point. From there I back tracked north enjoying the many birds in the trail side shrubs, some in joyous song and some in noisy bird arguments. I then turned east on the Marymoor Connector trail passing the model aeroplane field on my right as I exited the park. Don't miss the two Dudley Carter Thunderbird sculptures. Once back on the lake trail I tuned south back to the Sammamish Landing. The gorgeous low light was amazing reflecting on the water and highlighting this final burst of fall color. Make sure to walk out on the dock at the landing park for panoramic views and a look back of the shore.
My mileage was just shy of 5 and the grade is so flat it's really no effort at all. The Sammamish Landing hands down wins best trail head restrooms of the year award. Super clean, stocked, and hot water. Parking is across the road in a small lot or road side.
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