Discovery Park

The Loop Trail

Discovery Park!  What a wonderful place for a midweek hike.  A little slice of urban wilderness plunked down in the middle of a city of 608,660 people (according to the 2010 census).  Miles and miles of inter-conected trails, with the highlight being at South Beach trail out to West Point Lighthouse.  I set out at the “crack of noon” and followed the Loop Trail out to the lighthouse.

The Loop Trail runs about for about 3 miles around the interior of the park.  From this trail there are a dozen different options branching off in as many different directions.  I wandered up along the South Bluff, and then descended down through the forest (200 lower) to the beach.

Puget Sound from the bluff

Looking south towards Magnolia Bluff

For the most part I had the trails pretty much to myself, with just the occasional runner or dog walker.

Descending through the forest to the beach

Eventually I popped out on the beach and hiked out to the lighthouse.

West Point Lighthouse

The USCG station

On several previous kayaking trips around this point I was routinely greeted by numerous California Sea Lions.  Huge, raucous, aggressive, barking beasts that prowl these waters chomping on salmon.  This day was no different.  Two sea lions cruised back and forth just off the rocks.

All trails from the light station lead UP, so I picked a path from my map and started grinding my way up through the woods along the Hidden Valley trail.

Trail Map from Seattle Parks web page

There were still plenty of beautiful autumn colors on display to delight the photographer in me.

Fall Colors - I made this image with my ColorSplash app

As I completed my loop hike of Discovery Park my route wound around to the Fort Lawton military cemetery.  It was just two days before Veteran’s Day.  The place was very still, quiet, peaceful, beautiful…  Certainly a distinguished setting for our fallen heros to rest in peace…With the thanks of a grateful nation!

Fallen Heros

Taking a Moment to Remember

Well that about wraps up this adventure.  When you see this post please take a moment to remember all those who serve, and have served in the military.  Thank you all – Past, Present, and Future veterans.  Kat