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Lord Hill Regional Park — Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
Red Barn Trail

'You're going on a hike?! But it's raining!"

And that, my friends, pretty much sums it up - summer's over and the sun is gone; but so are the crowds. Saw a guy with a Lab on a leash near the boardwalks, but that was it. Not even hikingwithlittledogs, who apparently took the Red Barn/Temple Pond/Midway loop also.

I extended the loop a little by taking the Ear Therapy/Easy 8 trails to the Red Barn. The stream is flowing again, which gives the trail it's name. (Don't know what "Easy 8" is all about... )

Just off the Red Barn Trail, there is a sheltered spot under a large fir that overlooks Beaver Lake Marsh. (It used to be Beaver Lake, but that's another story) Years ago I had cleared it out and put a board down to sit on; and it's still there. I noticed  two young bucks on opposite sides of the meadow. They met in the middle, and spent the next hour hangin' out and wrestling. Seemed like a pretty friendly affair, and they were still there when I left.

Hung out at Temple Pond for a bit, then hit the Midway near Crossroads Pond. Stopped off at the viewpoint (yep, no view today) and Hidden Pond. Then Midway Cut-off to horse lot and parking. As noted in the other report today, the Midway has a lot of overhanging ferns. Guess I need to brush it again, but it looks so ugly afterwards. What do you think?

Here's my route, clockwise: Boardwalks/ Beaver Lake/ Ear Therapy/ Easy 8/Red Barn/"Trail that has no name"/Gravel Mine/ Temple Pond/Pipeline/Midway/Midway Cut-off/Road.

A great day in the rain!  Didn't see a soul...  

Meeting in the Meadow
I've been spotted!
Temple Pond being all mist-erious
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Comments

LordHillBandit on Lord Hill Regional Park

Tip: "the trail that has no name"
From the intersection of Red Barn and English Pond, head towards English Pond. At about 50 yds., take a small trail on your right. (it's on the map, no name) It will take you to Quarry Mine Trail, where a right will take you back to Temple Pond.
Very nice trail, similar to the Midway.

Posted by:


LordHillBandit on Oct 21, 2017 11:12 PM

LordHillBandit on Lord Hill Regional Park

Make that the Gravel Mine Trail. Who makes up these names?
Actually, a left from the no-name trail will take you to the edge of a quarry, where they mine gravel; so it's all good. (Private property though, so don't get caught!)

Posted by:


LordHillBandit on Oct 22, 2017 09:51 AM

hikingwithlittledogs on Lord Hill Regional Park

How lucky to spot those bucks today. Maybe they were showing off for the doe I saw in the woods.
Thanks for working on the trails. I don't mind the ferns. I think it's good to get soaked every now and then.
I'm going to try ear therapy/easy 8 next time. What a great park! So many options!

Posted by:


hikingwithlittledogs on Oct 22, 2017 12:55 AM

LordHillBandit on Lord Hill Regional Park

Yeah, I see a lot of deer, but no bears yet either. Heard them.
I like the ferns also. Gives it more of a woodsy feel.
Not so great for kids, dogs, or runners. A trim is probably due.

Posted by:


LordHillBandit on Oct 22, 2017 10:23 AM

hikingwithlittledogs on Lord Hill Regional Park

I'll try to remember my walking stick next time to wack them back. The ferns, not kids dogs or runners. Haha

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hikingwithlittledogs on Oct 22, 2017 10:57 AM