Did an afternoon exercise loop starting up Bear Ridge from the Talus Bridge trail, then Tibbett's Creek, Cougar Pass, and Harvey Manning up to the Million Dollar View and then back out via Shangri La. About 4.8 miles and 1120 vertical feet of gain.
The trails are smooth and dry-but-not-too-dry for the whole loop - perfect for a brisk hike or trail run right now. The recent rains have perked up the plants nicely as well - the ferns on the downhill side of the Fantastic Erratic really look... fantastic? right now, like a bunch of feathers.
The Million Dollar View didn't have much view as the trees are still in full leaf and the air was quite hazy - not even the slightest hint of Mount Baker was visible. I noticed when coming down from the Shangri La trailhead at the end that even Mount Si was barely visible through the haze. Also it feels like the trees at the Million Dollar View have gotten quite a bit bigger over the past few years and are blocking out the lower portion of Lake Sammamish now - will need to come back after the leaves are down to compare.
Not much fall color yet, but some of the trees look like they are at least considering turning. No bugs.
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