We are so fortunate in the PNW to have many local trails within a few miles.  This morning we hiked at Carkeek Park hoping to glimpse the salmon going upstream Piper's Creek, but the salmon started their return yet.   We did spot a seal in the sound and a lot more sunshine than was forecasted.  Great park with well maintained trails as well as a nice beach walk.  Plenty of loos at the park. Nice facility at the playground area.

#Gratitude

No salmon yet. We were hoping to see some returning salmon, but we must be early. I guess salmon are never early, nor are they late. They arrive exactly when they mean to, but we were early. Nice walk around the park with some unexpected sunshine. Trails are all in good condition. We parked at the QFC and used the loo in Starbucks, a convenient spot for the end of the hike and our coffee treat. We hiked a couple of loops and got about 5 miles and a bit of uphill.

I took the D line to McAbee entrance. Pipers Creek Trail straight to the beach through Wetland Trail. There were dolphins and so many apples and falling leaves. It was a beautiful solo hike.

What a great morning to wrap up the Go Hike series with the Mountaineers! Eight of us met at the entrance next to QFC around 9:00am and made our way along the Piper's Creek, North Bluff, and South Bluff trails with a side trip to check out the incredible beaver dam in the wetland area. All told, we logged 4.1 miles and 584ft of elevation gain. The trail was fairly busy and we stepped aside for quite a few hikers and trail runners. There wasn't much Fall color yet and the mountains weren't super clear, but it's always such a beautiful place to enjoy. It was really cool to see the beaver dam and see how it's changed the course of the creek. 

Amazing. I live nearby, so within minutes of my door, I can be in the “middle of nowhere”. Nice, dense canopy, for ambiance and shade. Plentiful creeks and small overspills, for life, energy, and sound. Great for photography or just strolling. Beautiful views of the sound.
Easy warmup hike is mostly downhill; return trip makes up for the decent.