My mom visited over the long weekend and wanted to hike but can't do anything too difficult, so we opted to roam around Discovery Park for the day. Trails are muddy and can be a bit slick but are mostly fine. It was an excellent day for wildlife watching--we saw hummingbirds, countless waterfowl, and an otter! Always a great place to take a visitor to see the beauty our area has to offer!

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.

When feeling lazy about driving much of anywhere but want to get outside, then Discovery Park it is. A perfect fall day to spend a few hours outside and by the beach. South Parking lot through the meadows and down to south beach and the lighthouse, a nice hour spent amongst the driftwood getting sun, and then back up to the parking lot. 

Both relaxing and bit of elevation in about 4 miles.

I’m currently trying to learn how to drive stick shift, and for my first real voyage into the real world with traffic and other cars, I decided to drive to Discovery Park. As a bonus, it’s a great place to bring visiting relatives (like my dad who came to help me learn how to drive stick) to show them a little of what puts the emerald in Emerald City.

Unsurprisingly, there were LOTS of people and pets on the trail, but parking actually wasn’t too bad at the parking lot. There are also PLENTY of mushrooms growing along the trail at this time of year. We went down to the lighthouse where we found that one of the windows has been broken. All in all, it was a great little hike for father-daughter bonding.