My hiking bubble came into Seattle today for an urban park walk at Discovery Park.  We met at the South Parking lot and there were 8 cars there when we started walking at 9:30.  It was 43 degrees with a heavy mist coming down.  The two Porta Potties are well used, but much appreciated.  We made a 5 mile counterclockwise loop with the Daybreak Star Cultural Center (DSCC) as an add on as well as the muddy steep section going down to North Beach access.  Trail traffic was super light, mostly neighborhood joggers and dog walkers.  We saw lots of wildlife - raccoons, gray squirrels, harbor seal, coots, seagulls, crows, juncos, eagles and towhees.  The tide was high so once we gained beach access we had to climb the boulders to go on the waterside of the Lighthouse buildings. Skies would start to clear then more low clouds would move in and we saw Bainbridge Island poke out a couple times.  No great salt water or Olympics view today.  Following the south bluff trails we walked up to grassy meadow area in front of the yellow officers homes to the rock walk and picnic tables near the church. We stopped for a short snack break here.  Another fantastic day to be out in nature with friends.

Headed to Discovery Park today during a break in the rain. Did both beach trails and the loop trail. All were in great shape, albeit muddy (expected this time of year). The North Beach Trail is in the best condition I have ever seen. Many of the staircases have been repaired or replaced. Kudos to the trail crews for the much needed improvements!

Tides are low enough to do this again for the next few days,  lows are all at night this time of year.

I did this walk from S to N due to high winds from the SW.  Locked my bike to a tree near the gate at the start of Bernie Whitebear Way, caught the Metro 33 at the stop at Illinois and Texas Way at 6:33 PM.  The last bus from this stop is at 7:05, they run the other direction until after 9.

Got off the bus at the Pier 91 stop in the middle of the Magnolia Bridge, above Smith Cove Park.  Walked to the end of the road at Elliott Bay Marina, down to the water, took the trail behind the bench to the sliver of Galer St., behind the houses and to the water (Logan St.).

Walked around the pipe and onto the beach.  Water was already out far enough to stay off the private property in this first stretch, the sand-filled tires and rocks on the beach mark the line.  Tide was about +2 at it's low, needs to be below +4 or +5 to do this.  Next few days it will be even lower, but later.

The bottom of the trail up to Daybreak Star got washed away since last week.  I found the ropes I thought had been removed, someone moved them to aid climbing off the beach just N of the old trail.  Then back to my bike near the bus stop.

I did this walk each of the last 2 nights.  This is a loop around Magnolia.  Park near Smith Cove Park, catch the Metro 33 in the middle of the Magnolia Bridge, going uphill, at 8:45, arrives at Bernie Whitebear Way at 9:08.

Walk down BWW to Daybreak Star and trail to the beach.  Water will not be low enough tonight until after 10, best to walk through Discovery Park and take the stairs to North Beach trail.  Then stay on the beach all the way to Elliott Bay Marina and back to the car.

The last 2 nights I have gotten off the beach at the access on Perkins Lane, leaves next to the green light atop the rock, you can't miss it.  R on Perkins, to road end and stairs up to Magnolia Blvd.  Walk this to bridge over the ravine, stairs down to road below, back to beach and EBM.

I got yelled at by a lady (who was alerted by a neighbor's dog) 3 trips ago, who was going to tell me the beach was private.  I think anyway, I ignored her.  I just looked at the plat map at the King County Assessors Office web site, which shows these people own anywhere from 20 to about 50 feet toward the water from their homes.  From there out, the beach is public.

See you here tonight!  Update:  I tried tonight but missed the bus by 30 seconds, it came about 8:42.  Oh well, I was going to have to wait an hour for the tide anyway.  Looks like it will be doable again for a few days starting Sunday the 14th.

Here's a money saving tip - Most insurance companies will allow you to suspend your car insurance if you're not driving.  We pay our premium every 6 months, but the cost is actually 1/182nd of that charged every day.  I haven't been driving due to changing seasons and high gas prices, and suspending insurance is saving me another $1.50 a day.  My insurance is inexpensive already, most people will save even more.  Why pay for something you can do without temporarily, stay in shape walking or biking, and save the planet!

This is a great night time loop around Magnolia, except the miles of pavement you have to walk through Interbay.  I figured out how to use the bus for that part, saving time and my feet.

I locked up my bike in the rack at Elliott Bay Marina, walked to and caught the 33 at the stop in the middle of the Magnolia Bridge, $2.75.  There were a dozen masked folks riding, all exiting at a handful of popular stops.  I was alone for the last mile to my destination at Texas and Illinois Aves., across from Bernie Whitebear Way and the start of my walk.  I hadn't ridden the bus in years, it felt very covid safe, at least with so few riders.

Walked the road to Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, and top of the trail to the L of the concrete sculpture, which leads to the beach.  The slick clay is covered in leaves for traction, there are ropes for the steepest parts.

The tide was plenty out when I arrived at about 9 PM, was to be -2.7 feet at 12:07 AM.  Timing was perfect for getting out before closing, both Discovery and Magnolia Tidelands Parks are open 4 AM to 11:30 PM.

Winds were not an issue tonight, no rain.  I like to do this N to S when it's not too breezy, but from the S when I want the wind at my back.  There were a bunch of new logs washed up from the recent storms, plus new trees fallen off the slope above.  Tide was way out as I proceeded, lots of sand and tide pools to explore if you don't mind getting your shoes a little dirty.

I got yelled at by a lady in one of the houses right on the beach at the end, I was way out by the water and pretended not to hear.  It was not yet 11:30 so I'm sure she was going to try and tell me I wasn't supposed to be there at all, wrongly.  Seattle.gov clearly states the Park goes from Elliott Bay Marina all the way to W Ruffner, miles north.

The residents are probably not happy about it but the beach is public in the tide zone.  I spoke to a nice guy who lives on the water here a couple years ago who said the private-public line is the wall protecting the hillside.  I may have to speak to old yeller at some point but tonight was not the time.  What was she going to do, chase me down and hold me until the police came?  And I was in the right.

Rather than stay on the beach, I got off at the last spot before the end and took the road then trail behind the houses to my bike at EBM.  Then flat ride on Elliott Bay Trail past the Port to the Ballard Bridge home.  Interesting to see how few new cars right now in storage, just a handful of Volkswagen Atlases.

Great walk any time of day, just make sure the tide is lower than +4 for your whole trip, which is almost always at night this time of year.  The stars align again tonight, though it is going to be colder, windier, and rainier.  Bike not necessary, you can park near Smith Cove Park to catch the bus.  Last one is past mid Magnolia Bridge stop (going uphill) about 8:45 - 8:50, gets to Daybreak Star at 9:08.