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Discovery Park Loop Trail, Discovery Park Beach and Highlands Loop — Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
Rainier over passing ferries and harbor island cranes

Walked the discovery park loop and beach trails from the Hiram Chittenden locks Sunday morning.  The route was generally clockwise - across the locks, over the secret pedestrian bridge on 33rd Ave W, up West Government Way, loop trail down to the beach, north beach trail back up the bluff and over to the Daybreak Star complex then back along W Commodore Way.  Total mileage was about 6.5. No trail issues along the entire route. Restrooms at both the locks and discovery park were open and in good condition. One minor FYI - the fish ladder viewing area at the locks is currently closed for remodeling.  

Quite a bit of wildlife out this morning - sealions both at the locks and out in the bay, seals, eagle, kingfisher, heron, mobs of gulls, etc.  The fall colors are fading but still some nice areas along the bluff. We got lucky and had a northbound train come just as we walked over the secret pedestrian bridge.  A really nice little loop with a bunch to see on a gorgeous morning.

I'm pretty sure this is a little fox sparrow
salmon bay from the locks
a big gull with breakfast, (some sort of flat fish, sole or flounder maybe..)
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Comments

Just a hiker on Discovery Park Loop Trail, Discovery Park Beach and Highlands Loop

What do you mean "secret pedestrian bridge" when everyone (well, maybe not everyone) knows it is a "secret bicycle bridge" with a terrible entry on the south side!(g) I thought about doing it today but raked and binned leaves instead. But did walk just the loop the last three days. You are more ambitious - nice loop.

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Just a hiker on Nov 03, 2019 03:25 PM

wafflesnfalafel on Discovery Park Loop Trail, Discovery Park Beach and Highlands Loop

thanks - that bridge sure is unusual in both location and just that it was built at all. I have heard it suggested it was to ensure Fort Lawton soldiers could more easily get to "services" in Ballard back in the day.

Posted by:


wafflesnfalafel on Nov 03, 2019 03:51 PM

Just a hiker on Discovery Park Loop Trail, Discovery Park Beach and Highlands Loop

I guess I'm still jetlagged from my return from two weeks in China. I was thinking - there's that nice little chapel on the hill. Then the dawn - oh, THOSE services! Thanks for the chuckle.

Posted by:


Just a hiker on Nov 03, 2019 09:38 PM

Anna Roth on Discovery Park Loop Trail, Discovery Park Beach and Highlands Loop

Great pictures, as usual -- I particularly like the first one, and what a great capture of the seagull with a fish! Great to see you're getting out there. :)

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Anna Roth on Nov 06, 2019 01:58 PM