Yesterday’s forecast for rain was apparently short sighted. It only lasted through part of the morning, so we took off on a jaunt in the early afternoon. Our destination was the Arboretum. The arboretum is fairly large and our target was the part that juts into the water on either side of highway 520. We found a shortcut we had not discovered previously. A short cut for those on bicycles or foot. A 6″ curb separates a nicer neighborhood from the Museum of History and Industry access that also contains the start of the wetland path.
The path had signs of recent activity, apparently aimed at keeping the path clear.
- Path clearing efforts – manmade
There were also signs that some other critters were at work as well. But I am not sure that clearing the path was their goal.
Beavers share the Arboretum apparently
I have noticed a beaver lodge on the north side of the 520 Bridge for many years, but did not know if it was active. I still don’t know if that lodge is active, but apparently there are beaver about. We say many trees down or gnawed on our trek.
After leaving the path across Marsh and Foster Island we followed the path south. It took us under 520 and its traffic. Following it further along inlets and upland we eventually came to the edge of one of the few gated communities within Seattle. The high fence Broadmoor golf course was the part that first caught our eye. Then the manned gate at the entrance to both the golf course and neighborhood. They like their solitude, but they also like to speed along the winding road through the park. (grumble, grumble)
Following a few paths off the road we passed under a 520 entrance ramp and came upon the dead end of the “520 Ramps to nowhere.”
Hwy 520 Ramps to Nowhere
These were built with the original road, with a goal in mind, that was
never completed. These appear to reach from the north to south exit ramps, but it was not clear exactly what their purpose was. (Clarity – upper road is in use, lower road is not.) Now they provide a means of getting high above the water, with results that are not always good. I recall one summer day when a leaper leapt onto a canoe below. The canoe ended up with a huge dent, but the leaper ended up in a morgue. That is the exception, and that day is probably forgotten by most. Since it is winter now, there were only a few folks on the ramps, and none of them had on bathing suits.
We completed our walk by crossing over the Montalke bridge, finding steps down to the low level right next to the water (about 78 steps down). On this level we almost got past two sleeping mallards, but they stood up at the last moment of our passage. Up through the University District and then home in the dark for dinner.
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