Tuesday, September 6, 2016

A Forest in the City

On Labor day we like to go on a destination walk. In talking late Sunday night after returning home from Whidbey Island, we finally decided on Seward Park. We had not been there for a long time, and we had never walked the trails in the woods there. 

Seward Park is a 300 acre municipal park in the City of Seattle. It occupies the Baily Peninsula, a forested peninsula of land that sticks out into lake Washington, as shown in this "borrowed" photo from the Internet. 

Seward Park was designed by the Olmstead Brothers and the perimeter has a 2.4 mile walking and bike path. The interior contains one of the last surviving tracts of old growth forest surviving in the city or in the Puget Sound area. It was those forest trails that we were seeking. 
 We entered the forest at the south end of the main trail that runs the length of the park, but soon switched to the Huckleberry Trail, that winds in and around tall trees and fallen trees and bogs and bushes. 
 We were told by a family on the trail with us that this fallen but still living maple is a favorite play spot for young kids. 
 There are BIG trees in here! Douglas fir and cedar
 and big leaf maple and more. 

 When trees fall they are left in place to supply the biome and trails may have to be adjusted to get around them. 

 Huge Madrone trees reach for the sunlight.




 I am not fond of having my picture taken, but Tom sneaked this one in. I ended up using it for my new Facebook profile pic. 
Mossy burls cover the maple trunk. 



Some trees just have to be extra appreciated for their size and grandeur. 

 We are just coming out of our summer drought season, so before long this area will be dripping with moss. 
 Back on the main trail, we approach the north beach area. 

 We sat for a while and rested, with the Seattle skyline in the distance across Lake Washington. 
 We walked the perimeter path for a short way, just to see what there was to see. We found the Reverend U.G. Murphy Fishing Pier, dedicated in 1962 to a man who worked to improve fishing opportunities in the city. 
 And then we re-entered the forest and followed the main pathway back through the park. 
 With a more open view, this trail was like a green cathedral, the majestic  trees forming an arching canopy overhead. 
 This fir is one of Seattle's biggest trees. 

 At the south end of the trail, we walked an access road around to the south beach. Along the way we found this old red wood. 


 We explored the south beach area a bit, appreciating trees like this old oak. 

Then we returned to the car, collected our picnic lunch and sat in a picnic area surrounded by trees but with a peek-a-boo view of the lake. 
Then we returned home in the early afternoon, feeling content and well exercised with our 4 miles of walking in the forest in the city. 

17 comments:

  1. Wow. What an amazing place. I'd definitely visit it if I could. Thanks for sharing all the pictures. It was delightful.

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  2. what a lovely hike, those trees are huge-looks so cool and inviting. we miss trees!

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  3. What a great walk. I can see why you decided to use that picture for FB, it's a really good one and it looks like you as well! I'm so read for a new one for my Blogspot, but I cannot find one yet. I love our big old trees, too. :-)

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  4. Just looking at those magnificent trees makes me happy! Thank you, Linda! We live in a gorgeous part of the world!

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  5. Just looking at those magnificent trees makes me happy! Thank you, Linda! We live in a gorgeous part of the world!

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  6. Thanks for sharing this great park! I'd heard the name before but had no idea that there was still an area like this in Seattle. You've added another place to my list of places to visit!

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  7. Beautiful. The vegetation reminds me of some that We saw in New Zealand.

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  8. Tom took a great photo of you Linda, happy to see you smiling face in the lovely woods. What a great park. I used to roller skate around on the pavement with my sister years ago. Perfect place, old forest and water.

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  9. What a nice way to spend the day. I dearly love these kind of walks in the PNW because I love the ferns, lichen, and moss so much. I this your new Facebook photo is very nice. Say thanks to Tom. I Selsom see a photo of myself I can tolerate. When I do I use it for every place I need a photo of myself.

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  10. A beautiful forest, nice paths, great trees and even a like--what is not to like. That is a really cute picture of you.

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  11. Seeing you stand by those trees showed just how huge they are! I like the close-up pic of you. I can easily see that little 6 year old still very present( the photo you posted a short while ago).

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  12. Great walk and lots of super photos. It looks like on Labor Day you have the place to yourself.

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  13. Thank you for sharing this special view of your city. Magic indeed.

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  14. What a wonderful park! It reminds me of the one on Hog Island, in Maine. Loved it! What a great place to be able to visit. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. Lots of greenery, lots of fun.

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