Mercer Slough Nature Park — Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022

We had a delightful wintry walk in the Mercer Slough / Bellefields from the Mercer Slough Education center  today.  All the buildings were unlit and no sight of anyone working today.  The bathroom facilities were locked as well.  The parking area was like an ice rink so tread lightly until it thaws out.  With the overnight snow all the trails had a very wintry feel.  There was about  1 1/2 inches of snow on the ground and it was not slippery. We carried hiking poles and yak tracks but did not use them.  Skies were clear blue, with a slight north wind and is was 26 degrees when we headed out at 10:30.  The normally squishy trail was hard packed  with and ice and snow crust.  We made a loop around the blueberry fields and on Heritage and Ostbo loop trails and followed that south to the Sweyolocken boat launch area.  Unfortunately the trail beyond that point is still closed due to the light rail construction.  We had hoped to walk over to Enatai Beach but  were turned back by a cyclone fence and heavy machinery.  Trail traffic was super light, we passed a couple dog walkers  No wildlife sightings except a few birds floating in the slough.  We saw some small animal tracks in the snow on the board walks around the blueberry fields - rabbit for sure and 2 other smaller mammals.  Another fantastic day to be out in nature with friends.