Nice, quick loop for a weekday evening hike. Mostly flat, but trail has large tree roots and areas of mud as well as some overgrowth. Would not return after or during rain. Some passages were just a few inches above water, and it’s been more than a week without rain in the area. That said, it was a cute walk. Would not feel comfortable letting my older toddler do this one walking. 10 year old enjoyed herself. Beaver dams and view from observation deck were highlights.

Found this trail in my area and there were some geocaches so I went with my friends and we found and opened one which was fun looking for. We went out in January so it was a bit cold but the fog that covered the lake was so beautiful and there were plenty of cool bridges passing over streams of water and the lake. The still water was frozen three inches deep, strong enough to stand on. There were tons of side paths that you could go down and get close to the water. It was clear the trail was being maintained but there were some obstacles, but those were easy enough to get around. The only downside is because we went during the rainy season, some lower sections of the trail were a bit muddy but nothing too crazy. Overall a great hike!

Double D, Sleigh Ride (N), Do Loop, Bear Way, Lightning Trail, Devil's Slide, Blue Jay Way, Princess Trail (South Trail?), connector to Beaver Lake trails, Beaver Lake parking, Beaver Lake loop (6/5/4/3), connector to Hazel Wolf, Ann's Walkway (marsh loop), connector to Beaver Lake, Beaver Lake loop (3/2/1), connector to Soaring Eagle, South Trail, Northwest Passage, Downhill Loop, Bone Trail, Horse Trail (S), Katie Lane, Sleigh Ride, Double D.

I crossed the Pipeline Trail four times but never walked with it.

9.9mi 550m

Began the morning hike from the Beaver Lake Preserve parking lot in Sammamish and took the loop trail to connect to Fred's Trail to hike out to the Hazel Wolf Wetlands. Then hiked the Ann's Loop Trail ccw around the wetlands pond. The trail along the east side of the pond has some ups and downs. Two new turnpikes had been built where the trail crosses over a low bridge at the north end of the pond. This now keeps the trail from being flooded during the rainy season. After the bridge is a side trail going to the observation deck with a nice view of the Hazel Wolf Wetlands Pond. On a clear day you can see Tiger Mtn. to the south, but not today. There were many ducks and Canada Geese enjoying the water and thankful they were not turkeys today.

After a break at the deck continued on around the pond on Ann's Loop Trail where at the second trail junction was a new sign with a large photo of Hazel Wolf in a kayak. The wetland was dedicated to Hazel in 1998 when she was 100 years old. She was a lifelong conservationist.

The trails are in good shape with only one small tree down on Fred's Trail. Made for a good morning hike on Thanksgiving Day.

Blog version (disclaimers)

Quick-and-dirty version

Access: Windsor Boulevard (info)
Round Trip: 13 miles
Elevation Range: 360′-600′
Gear: none
Dog-Friendly: yes

Route

1. Soaring Eagle Regional Park: The enormous park features 31 mixed-use trails totaling 13 miles--Loop, zig-zag, or out and back to your heart's content. The endless route possibilities included tree views and small streams throughout.
2. Hazel Wolf Wetlands Preserve: The 1.7-mile loop trail is excellent if pressing for time or needing a quick exercise. I especially enjoyed the water vistas and the sounds of the waterfowl at every turn.
   
3. Beaver Lake Preserve: View the upper lake and the main lake from the 1.2-mile loop trail west of the peninsula. The off-leash dog park in the southwest also gives water access.

Highlights

• Views of the pond in Hazel Wolf Wetlands Preserve plus Beaver Lake
• Solitude

Lowlights

• A rainy day