Along the Sammamish & Burke-Gilman Trails...

When I rode these trails two winters ago, I probably came (snap) that close to hypothermia. It was cold, rainy, and I realized that Southern California winter gear is not the same as Seattle winter gear. This winter my gear was mostly the same but, slightly warmer temperatures, including some sun, and drier conditions (wet pavement, but no falling rain) made for a more comfortable ride. For me, this ride starts at Wilmot Gateway Park on the Sammamish River Trail, in the little city of Woodinville, follows a portion of that river to Lake Washington, rides along the west shore on the Burke-Gilman Trail, cuts through Northeast Seattle, and ends at the University of Washington. The Burke-Gilman Trail does continue past this point, through the city, to Puget Sound, but given my available time, the U of W served as a good turn-around point. The ride ended at just over 34 miles round trip, and afforded some fantastic views of the Cascades and Mt. Rainier, Lake Washington, the architecture and landscapes of the University, and interaction with the most courteous drivers I have ever encountered.

the shady hillside portion of Mattews Beach Park

a cycling couple enjoy a quite moment on the shore of Lake Washington with peaks of the Cascades showing off in the distance

the University of Washington's version of cobbles. for more on the University's ever-watchful gargoyles and landscape lines of sight see my post here

a divided section of the Burke-Gilman Trail

winter berries and seeds

courtesy reminder - you might not think it from this view, but these are some heavily used multi-use trails

another view across Lake Washington to the snowy Cascades

the famous rails-to-trails mural in Bothell

not from the cold, the Blue Trees, are an art installation "temporarily transformed with environmentally safe pigment to inspire awareness and discussion about global deforestation"

pedestrian bridge crosses the Sammamish River to the Park at Bothell Landing, where there are a number of historical buildings dating to the late 1800s

a riverside view along the Sammamish