Kathryn Taylor & Redmond Watershed

Coyote

I was up early, checked with Amanda & our ride was ON!  It was a gray, cold morning - but we'd planned a ride together & were determined to get one in this Thanksgiving week!  When I unloaded Farah at Kathryn Taylor, I noticed that she was watching the ridge that overlooks the parking area.  It took me a minute, but I could just pick out the ears of a Coyote watching us.  I zoomed in & actually got the above photo of him as he moved down the hill.  Seeing him watching us - reminded me so much of Kitt.

Amanda & Cato~

 Farah was thrilled to see her friend Cato!  Cato seems to like Farah too, we did quite a lot of side-by-side trotting.  Lynn riding Sophie & Sara Jane riding Lou - joined us too!  It had been a very long while since I'd been here to ride & I'd forgotten how beautiful the trails are.

Sara Jane on Lou & Lynn on Sophie

 Amanda discussed our route with Lynn.  The park personnel are working on one set of bridges, so we detoured through a neighborhood.  It was a day that felt a little more like Winter than any of us expected. No other horsemen on the trails, just a couple bikes & hikers.

Google Route~

 Riding along side NE Novelty Hill Rd. to get to the Trilogy Trails is pretty noisy - traffic whizzes by close to the sidewalk, but all four horses did just fine.  Once across - the trails are so pretty, it's worth making the crossing.

On the Powerline Trail~

After that loop, we crossed Novelty one more time & headed down the Powerline Trail to return to the Watershed trails that would take us back to KTP.  We didn't seen any animal life at all, after riding under the new overpass that was built for wildlife.  We again discussed why that overpass wasn't built for trail users, rather than the non-existent wildlife.

Coming to the 133rd street crossing~

 This crossing not nearly as busy.  It seems so strange to come out of the beautiful wooded trails to civilization!  :-)  Even in the winter months most of these trails stay in good condition.

View from the top of the hill~

We rode up to the top of the hill, already knowing that the view would be hazy at best & we were not disappointed.

Our rigs as we come down the hill~

After the sunshine all weekend, it seemed later than it was with the cloud cover.  The day was cooling off again already.  I decided to forgo lunch & get on the road in the hope of missing most of the afternoon traffic.  There was a stalled car on the bridge going to Duvall & the usual holdups in Monroe, but we made it safely back just as the rain started at home.

Our route~

It was so good to get in such a great ride this time of year!  Thanks to all for including me!

Meeting Friends & Fluid Plans~

I ended up with a busy week of riding!  First with Dena - who I ride with so seldom, then with Joyce - who I hope will be spending More time in the saddle.  Today I'd planned to head south & meet-up with Lynn & Amanda - who had scheduled a Saddle-Up ride from the Redmond Watershed.  I'm not keen on parking there - after hearing of the break-in's.  The trailer area is surrounded by trees & secluded enough that it makes it a little easier for thieves than the wide-open parking at KTP.  It was too late for Amanda to change the venue - so she left on the Tuscany Loop from there, while Lynn & I left from KTP.  We figured that if we started the loop in reverse - that we'd Have to find Amanda!

Cato greets Farah~

 Farah was in the lead - we were trotting right along - when around a corner came Cato!  Farah hit the breaks & recognized him right away!  It's been a while since these two friends have seen each other - but that didn't stop them from saying; "Hi"!~  Amazingly enough - Farah didn't strike or squeal, very polite howdy do by both!

A new friend - Jan, with Amanda on Kato~

As it warmed up out in the sun, we stuck to the nice shaded trails & admired the incredible fresh green growth of the ferns, smell of the fresh air & beauty of another picture perfect day.  We all rode together to the spot where Amanda needed to make the turn back to the Redmond Watershed & Lynn directed us the other direction to finish out a loop & head back.

Welcome Lake

We ambled through the Lake of the Woods housing area - admiring the Rhody's all in full bloom & so beautiful!  Once back at Kathryn Taylor we climbed the hill to see if it was clear enough to see Seattle.  Not quite - but the Olympics were out!

View from the Top~

Now...  We're taking a few days off so I can catch up at home!  After our weekend at Mt. Adams, we've traveled another 40+ miles on trail.  Friends asked why I didn't give Farah time off?  Short answer - she didn't need it!   For so many years when I was working full time & more - I had to rush to find time to ride.  I never really had a horse in the kind of shape that they should have been - in for the way I like to ride.   Doing Endurance was a strain on them & on me - but hind sight is always 20/20.

I feel so lucky now, to be at this place in time - able to enjoy the trails with Farah - who has only gotten stronger & enjoys her work.  Having the time to ride makes the difference.  I truly felt done with Endurance, but after bringing Farah on for almost three-years now, I was curious to know if she had what it takes.  I've discovered that there's a huge difference between riding a horse that is marginally fit & one that actually is.  For one thing - it's easier on us both.   Farah has made it plain that she does enjoy the competition & of course I still do too, especially with her!  I try to keep my plans fluid & hope in the future to do a few of the rides that have been on my bucket list for years.  We'll see where the trails lead~

A Square Round-Trip!

On the top of Redmond Ridge

That Lynn!  We'd planned a ride from Moss Lake to the Tolt, to see how far we could go.  Fog is far from my favorite weather to ride in, I start feeling claustrophobic...   So, since Lynn has told me many times that Redmond Ridge is always free of fog - we decided to go there.  Guess what?  As you can tell from the above photo - it was foggy.  We decided to take the Tolt Pipeline & head down to the Sammamish River Trail, then from there - if time allowed - return by the Powerline Trail.

Our 19-mi. "Square"

On the way out, we enjoyed sightseeing all the beautiful homes, barns, playhouses, etc., that are the norm in this area.  Even so high up on the ridge, once the fog burned off a little, we had cloud cover & the day stayed gray.

Lynn & Sophie head onto the Big Bridge over the roads~

There were a few people out, joggers, dog walkers, but we didn't seen any other riders.  When we dropped down the hill to the trail, I told Lynn that next time we're going to plan lunch at the Redhook Brewery - (The brewery Butch built :-) so Farah & Sophie can use my hitching post & we can eat!  :-)  Instead, we turned south on the trail for a few miles, before the turn that would take us back up the climb.

The Sammamish Slough

We were rewarded by seeing a big Eagle sitting in the Cottonwoods along the river, but otherwise - besides a few friendly people - like us - determined to make the best of a cold, gray day - it was pretty quiet.  Heading back, we had to really pick up the pace, as sunset is around 4:30 & after that it gets dark quick.  We had a lot of roads to cross to get back!

Lynn & Sophie cross Avondale

It's so nice to have to crossing lights!  There were only a couple crossings when we were back into the Trilogy area where we really had to keep a close eye on the cars to be sure the saw us in the fog & rapidly approaching dark.  Once back on trail - we hit a good trot & maintained it all the way back!  Fun!  First time in a while that we've been able to do that kind of trotting - the trails, though wet in places were in pretty good shape!

It was 4:35 p.m. when we returned to the trailers, fog so thick that we could hardly See them!   All in all - we'd ridden on three different trails & through three parks!   Cold, damp & dark - time to head Home! 

Bridle Trails to Kathryn Taylor Park - Point-to-Point

Our overland route~

This ride was a collaborative idea between me & Lynn.  I remembered that we used to ride from Woodinville - along the Sammamish River Trail to Marymoor Park.  Then - when Butch was building the Red Hook Brewery, a friend & I rode from there to Bridle Trails State Park & then back to the brewery.   I mentioned those rides to Lynn - she & Jack went down & did some recognizance to see if indeed we could get through the Marymoor area - since horses are no longer allowed.  My new friend Chris, who works for the DOT & is a self-described map person - also checked out the route & gave us a "go"!

Corner of Bridle Trails Park

  It was So Cold when we arrived at Bridle Trails, that we didn't take a before photo!  Instead, we jumped into our cold saddles as fast as we could & were heading through the park by 10 a.m.

Old Signage

In under 2-miles we were crossing the street above & had found across the way - the Bridle Crest Trail.   This started with a steep downhill - with Farah's favorite - sheep - at the bottom!  No worries about rushing or slipping on the down - since we had to stop & look at those sheep every few steps!

We rode the trail past backyards, nice, quiet neighborhoods & we were really enjoying the morning - but the sound of traffic was getting louder, so we both knew that the 520 overpass was coming up!

View from the overpass!

This too had changed!  On my first trip, it was just a pedestrian/equine/bike overpass.  Now, a regular road overpass has been built right next to it.  Instead of seeing off in both directions, you can only see west - there's a concrete wall on the east side.  You can hear the road traffic - but not see it.

Farah & Connie between Sophie's ears!

Google Earth image of the overpass

Once over, we rode for a block or two through a neighborhood, then found this park.  We stopped long enough for the mares to take a few bites - but it was too cold to tally for long!  The ground was frozen in many places, so we were talking it easy.  The mares were in no particular hurry either.

Lynn & Sophie @ Westside Park

Picking up the trail again at the bottom corner of the park - we rode right into a nice wooded gully area that could have been up in the mountains - rather than the city. 

In the woods, we found - a sign!

We knew we were on the right track when we found the sign above & dropped down the hill to cross West Lake Sammamish Parkway NE.

Once at the edge of Marymoor~

Welcome sunshine!  It was about 11:30 when we reached the river trail & things had changed!  Now, the equestrian trail runs along the opposite side of the slew from when I used to ride it!

Beautiful Morning!

You can see the concrete wall up ahead.  The trail isn't finished through that area, so it's narrow with blackberries along both sides & a homeless person living in a tent that's backed up to that wall.  Once through the trail widened again & was beautiful.

Here's where we crossed the slough~

Next, there was a new to me bridge ~

Connie & Farah

The temperatures by now were probably the warmest of the day, (No!  We weren't removing any layers!) there were a few dog walkers, a jogger or two, but we were the only horsemen & certainly got noticed :-)  On the far side - I finally again recognized where we were, from my last ride here with Janelle & Saddle-up in 2011.

Powerline Trail

Now, we were heading up the Powerline Trail!  Back into country more familiar to us & the mares too!  But - that's not to say that we didn't have more busy road crossings!

Almost 1 p.m. - we're ready to cross Avondale Road

Avondale was busy one, but having the crossing lights make it as safe as possible.  We were happy to be across & it wasn't long before we were into Farrel McWhirter!  Time for a welcome potty & lunch break!   Here we could have added in miles to the trip - but since we'd been out in the cold for a while now & Jack was hoping to get home before sundown - we decided to just carry-on & head for our final destination!

We were in the Redmond Watershed when we ran into two other horsemen!  Brandi & John!  I'd not seen Brandi since Renegade - so we had to take a few minutes to catch up!  They were the only other two horsemen we'd seen all day!   We were still on our mission though - both of us even under all our layers - starting to feel the cold!

We've Arrived!  Kathryn Taylor Park~!

It was Wonderful to see Jack parked at Katheryn Taylor waiting to take us home!  We felt like we'd really squeaked this ride in.  December - the cold snap - holidays, etc., it was still so darn wonderful to spend a sunshine day in the saddle!   My GPS recorded the trip at 15-miles & we took just over four hours.

Redmond Watershed Preserve~

Ice on the Wetland

The morning was cold, but not as cold as it has been!  I was driving down to ride with Lynn & two new to me friends - Mary & Susan!  By the time I pulled in, even though we were in the shade of the tall trees - the day was Warming!  Two of the horses with us were both just getting back on the trails after different issues they're recovered from.  With the trails still very slippery in places, we set a reasonable pace.

Beautiful Home

 We'd ridden past this home last week & today I had to take a photo.  Such a beautiful place with the covered parking for an auto on the front.  Something like carriages used to pull under while their passengers disembarked in the past.

Before long, the day warmed enough that I actually felt warm for the first time in days!  The jacket came off & the temperature was perfect!  We decided to do the four-mile loop on Redmond Ridge & found the trails there in Great shape - perfect for some good trotting!

15-miles of loops

Just as we were returning to the start of the loop, we were jumped by at least 8 to 10 dogs - all off leash!  A lady was with them - obviously someone being Paid to dog-sit.  She was yelling for the dogs, trying to get through the brush that separated the trail we were on - from the clearing around the drainage basin.  These dogs had No Clue & were barking & one big poodle type actually tried to run right at Farah - who was in the lead.  Luckily for us, all three horses were dog savvy & didn't kick out.

After I was done yelling at the woman for her stupidity - I did wonder what the dogs owners would think - if they were returned with broken bones from a well placed & well deserved kick!  Once we came into the open, I rode up to see where the dogs had gone & watched as they were quickly loaded into a van parked by the back of an industrial building.

The day seemed to fly by - Lynn had to remind us that we hardly had time to get back to the trailers before dusk.  I wouldn't want to cross those busy roads in the dark!   We covered 15-miles again & felt very lucky to be getting in such good riding so late in November!

A Cold Ride!

Our 15-mi. "Loop"

When Lynn called & asked if I was still up for an adventure - of course I said yes!  She'd ridden this area yesterday & had an idea for one long loop!  By 11 a.m. we were at Kathryn Taylor saddling up & it was cold!  Maybe mid-30's in the sunshine.   We were both dressed in layers, but I started out with my jacket on the back of the saddle.

"Welcome Lake"

When we came to the above lake, the bridge was so covered in ice that we took the road.  Of course there was minimal mud - a real draw - but with the recent Arctic Blast - the trails were frozen solid & very slippery in places.  I really didn't expect it - not after just a couple nights of cold temps - but in the woods, where the sun doesn't reach - there's no thaw until the temperatures warm again.

Ice on the wetland pond~

We headed over to Farrel McWhirter Park, I hadn't been there since one of my very first rides on Farah.  We looped the park - then took a short break in the sunshine.  Hoping for a yet longer ride, we toyed with the idea of dropping down the gas line to the Sammamish Valley Trail, but no faster than we could ride, we knew we'd run out of time.

Spectacular Horse Farm

Passing this incredible equine facility - made us both envious!  Here we were on a beautiful wooded trail - peaking out at any horseman's fantasy farm :-)  We had to ride the road on 116th, but not for far, before we were back on the power line.

Frozen winter berries & snowberries

Even in the sunshine, under the power lines - it was getting colder already!  Moving back into the trails at the Redmond Watershed, we soon saw riders up ahead!  Our friends Beth & Diane!  Seems we run into them at least a few times a year on these trails!  Fun to catch up with them both!   Farah was in last place when the bikes came up on us fast!  Farah let them know instantly that they needed to Back Off & they Did.  We asked that they wait to pass & got all four horses up to a clear spot where they could safely pass.

The last of the bridges we had to cross were so treacherous that we dismounted to cross them.  Arriving back at KTP by 4:30 - the cold was coming through my winter riding pants!  Next time I'll have thermals under them too!  

Back to Kathryn Taylor Park

On the Trails

It had been the end of July since I'd ridden at Kathryn Taylor, my favorite urban riding area.  Once you're in & on the beautifully maintained forested trails - it's easy to forget that you're surrounded with high end homes.

My favorite~

Every time I've ridden past this home, I've wanted to take a photo & today I did!  The color, the style, the landscaping, circular drive - just a beautiful place!  Wouldn't it be fun to see what it looks like inside?  I bet the backyard is something else too!

Lynn & Sophie

Lynn & I finally made connections to Ride!  I'd missed her, but she had some incredible riding experiences of her own while horse camping in ID with a mutual friend.

Overpass under construction

This overpass will be for the traffic from the trails on one side, to the trails at Redmond Ridge - which will make all the traffic on this very busy road happy - along with the trail users who have to wait for the light - then have seconds to cross.  More than one accident has happened here.

Once back on the trails...

It was a stellar day!  Warming to maybe 70 degrees, filtered sunshine in the trees, soft footing!  Such a blessing - I'm so used to the sound of steel shoes on rock...  Not a sound I'm fond of...  We set a really nice pace all day - moving out most of the way.

View toward Seattle & the Olympics

It was late afternoon by the time we returned to the parking area, so we went on up to admire the view from the top.

To thank for this incredible asset, we have the woman above, for whom the park was named.   Someone foresighted enough that when she sold her property, she had this land set aside for an Equestrian Park that would assure a place on the east-side of Lake Washington for horsemen well into the future.   Way back when there must have been some incredible riding in all the wooded hills...

Last two rigs in the parking area

From the top of the hill, we looked down on our trucks.  It was after five p.m. & we didn't want to leave, or quit riding for that matter, even having covered 20-miles!

Ride Route

Amazing day & really the kind of ride that makes you hope for many, many more days like these!