Kelsey Creek Park Nature Trails, Bellevue Botanical Garden — Monday, Dec. 18, 2023

Two friends and I walked a day loop hike through Bellevue Botanical Gardens and Kelsey Creek Park.  We started just before noon, with over cast skies and it was 45 degrees.  We parked in the 2nd level of the gardens upper lot.  The restroom facilities were open.  Many gardeners and lights maintenance folks were busy at work.  Much to our surprise and delight  all the holiday lights were turned on when we arrived.  It was fun to walk around see the intricacies of each light display during daylight hours.  It’s been about 5 years since I’ve seen the garden lights at night so fun to see many new light display additions.  We followed the Takeuchi Loop trail down over the Ravine Experience swinging suspension bridge to the Lost Meadow Trail and connecting trail down to Bellevue International School campus. From there we walked surface street sidewalks (128th AVE SE & SE 7th Pl) directly into the south end of Kelsey Creek Park. Following the gravel path to the south around the barn and pasture areas we headed back north and crossed over Kelsey Creek.  On the hillside to the east we made a loop on the trails  below the Pipeline Trail and back to the barn complex area.  You can’t visit Kelsey Creek without stopping by the see the sheep, pigs and goats.  The main bathroom facility in the park was open. We exited Kelsey Cr Park on SE 4th PL and headed west  to 128th where we turned right and entered the first wooded path (Wilburton Hill park Trail) back up to the Botanical Gardens  around Yao Garden.  We were out for just over 2 hours with a couple snack and restroom breaks for a 4.7 mile loop. Every trail we walked on was well drained and mostly clear of leaf debris.  The Botanical Gardens had way more trail traffic than Kelsey Creek Park.  Another fantastic day out in nature with friends.