Hiram M. Chittenden - Ballard Locks, Discovery Park Loop Trail — Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022

We've all got "hikes" we do straight from the front door - no driving required - here's one of mine.  The tide dictates this can only be walked at night, an added bonus this time of year when 2/3's of the hours are dark.

Starting from my home, walked through "downtown" Ballard, to and across the Locks.  On the Magnolia side, beneath the railroad bridge I got on the beach heading south.  

Tide was plenty far enough out to get past all the docks, boat ramps, and bulkheads jutting into the water.  There is one wall that sticks out more than any of the others, tide needs to be +3 or lower to get by.  There is some mud in this stretch, all the silt from Lake Washington flows through this channel into Salmon Bay, but even in tennis shoes my feet stayed dry.

Kept on the beach to the bottom of the stairs at the north end of North Beach in Discovery Park.  I had planned to walk to Elliott Bay Marina, but since I just did that 2 days ago I changed plans and headed for home.  So up the stairs to the park exit.

I hoped to make it back across the Locks before they closed at 9 but was too late, had to walk to and across the Ballard Bridge then home.  Total trip about 3.5 hours.

And now - for the beach lover and rail enthusiast - I am going to take the train from King Street Station to Edmonds this evening (Monday the 5th) and walk the beach back to Carkeek Park, if anyone wants to join.  Not only do you get to ride, but likely we will be passed by a few in our hours of beach walking. 

Sounder N Line departs KSS at 4;30, arrives Edmonds at 5, meet up there.  Then rush into Edmonds Marina Beach Park before it closes at dusk.  The rest of the walk can be more leisurely, low tide is after 9.  Bus from Carkeek to KSS runs all night so you can get back to your car, or just walk home like I will.  Ho Ho Ho!