Friday, September 11, 2015

Looping the Lakes (2015-09-07)

After doing a Foothills loop, I did a shorter ride since I had the time.

Saturday's ride was a resounding success, so why not do another one of a decent length?

Geotagged Album

More after the break…

Outbound

Outbound

I started a bit late, at 06:00 rather than 05:00. Of course, since this was a shorter ride, it didn't really matter.

The first leg was along the Burke-Gilman Trail, but I didn't stick to its pavement the whole way.

When I got to Woodinville, I stopped at a gas station for a bag of chips, as I was starving for some reason.

Shortly after I left Woodinville, I wanted to document the section of the Tolt Pipeline Trail that I had skipped last time based on a recommendation.

End of the Tolt Pipeline Trail: This end of said trail is a bit foreboding, especially up that hill!
End of the Tolt Pipeline Trail: This end of said trail is a bit foreboding, especially up that hill!

It certainly wasn't in the best shape, and the drop from the ridge was pretty steep!

Getting back to the trail, I started seeing cones, signs, and stands for a half marathon that was taking place. As I approached Redmond, it became obvious that staying on the trail wasn't the best idea, so I ended up taking a different route.

End of the Redmond Central Connector Trail: I ended up a bit lost in Redmond.
End of the Redmond Central Connector Trail: I ended up a bit lost in Redmond.

After doing a couple loops trying to figure out where I was going, I made it to the East Lake Sammamish Trail. Unlike last time, it wasn't raining a ton. I also went a bit faster as I didn't take as many photos.

East Lake Sammamish Trail: The most recently paved section.
Lake Sammamish

There's a lot of pushback against paving the trail, which is expected considering the kind of people who live along it.

Once I got to Issaquah, I hung a left onto the Issaquah–Preston Trail to avoid traffic. Around here, the skies started becoming a little less kind.

Issaquah Weather: I was a bit worried about the clouds, as nothing else looked like rain until here.
Issaquah Weather: I was a bit worried about the clouds, as nothing else looked like rain until here.
Issaquah–Preston Trail

After passing under the road to Issaquah Highlands along the trail, I started back down its other side, eventually making it to East Sunset Way, which took me to where I decided to acquire coffee.

As those who've read my posts know, I tend to find places I like and stick to them, though I don't always order the same thing each time.

Inbound

Inbound

To leave Issaquah, I first headed through the Rainier Greenway.

Rainier Greenway Trail
Rainier Greenway Trail
Stormy Skies: OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Rainier Greenway

And then I started the climb up Issaquah–Hobart Road.

However, instead of continuing to Hobart, I hung a right and went past the landfill to get to the Cedar River.

Cedar River
Cedar River
Cedar River
Stormy Skies at River Access

And just like last time, I headed northwest along the Cedar River Trail. However, unlike last time, the rain turned to sun as I got to Renton.

Cedar River Trail
Cedar River Trail
Cedar River
Cedar River
End of Cedar River Trail
End of Cedar River Trail

Rather than taking the Lake Washington Loop to return home, I went through Renton to get to the northernmost end of the Interurban Trail.

Low Bridge

And then I took the Green River Trail all the way north.

Green River Levee Work

And the Duwamish Route to the West Seattle Bridge.

Fishing on Harbor Island
Fishing on Harbor Island

From the West Seattle Bridge to home, I went along the normal route. I did stop at my local bike shop on the way to chat.

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