Duvall to Snoqualmine - Point-to-Point

New Signage

The sign above greeted us as Lynn & I started down along the SVT.  We both knew the exact spot, it's been washing away for a while now.  But to close the trail during the busiest time of year & for so many months?  We were lucky to get in our ride today!  (Our first point-to-point ride.)

A Long Straight Stretch~

It was kind of an unappealing morning - overcast, but warm & humid - the bank in Monroe said 70 when I drove by.  The trail had been recently graded, widened out with the brush cut back & a new layer of gravel in places.

Snoqualmie River - Low!

 The Snoqualmie too, is low - the lowest I've seen it - especially for so early in the year!  For the day after a three-day weekend, it was a busy day!  Lots of people on the trail, a brush cutter out, another crew working on the power lines etc.  (They stopped work & turned off the equipment as we rode by.)

More new signage~

Since I'd spoken to King County about this highway 203 trail crossing, new bright signage has been installed, traffic to slow to 40 heading into Carnation, already moving up to 50 toward Duvall.  As we were waiting for a break in the traffic, a truck came by - doing at least 60+.    Amazing - since we have to go under 530 for the Whitehorse trail - here - everyone just dodges the speeding cars!  (The little new sign - is a warning to trail users that the traffic "Does Not Stop!" 

Lynn & Sophie crossing the Tolt

The Tolt was less than half it's usual flow.  I can almost imagine this going dry by Summer...  With Jack's help, we were riding all the way to Snoqualmie Falls, where Jack would be waiting in the upper parking area.

The pretty part of the trail~

Once we were outside of Carnation & heading toward Fall City, the trail becomes more "rural" except that we both noticed the heavy tracks of bikes.  By "heavy" - I mean solid bike tire marks from one side of the trail to the other!  Also - the trail was as hard as concrete!  The most compacted ever, I was glad that Farah still has her pads on!  Then - suddenly - Boom!  Gun fire!  Lots of Heavy Gun fire!  Enough that both Lynn & I jumped in the saddles!  Enough - that anyone riding less experienced horses would have probably been thrown.  The several times we've been here - this was a first & lasted for a couple miles.

Over Toluk Creek - The Big Bridge :-)

Crossing this bridge is always so fun!  :-)  The gun fire had temporarily stopped as we rode across, but started up again as we cleared the far side.  Going this direction - of course, it's a gradual climb & we had the mares trotting for a few miles.

We arrive at the tunnel

I'm going to have to look back to see if this tunnel has been improved - as I think it has, since our last visit.  We didn't go on up to the Kiosk - since we were running late to meet-up with Jack.  We found the little trail through the woods, then the old roads & finally the other small hiking trail that took us to the parking.

Our ride awaits!

For whatever reason, I didn't feel myself this entire ride.  I was using my electrolyte tablets, Farah was being nasty with Sophie & the feelings are mutual...  But Sophie just moved down the trail ignoring Farah - which I wish I could have!  But when she's tossing her head & lifting her front off the ground at every other stride - it's hard to ignore!

Heading home, we got behind a piece of farm equipment that caused miles of backup...  With heavy traffic in the traffic circle just before you get to Duvall - one driver in a hurry almost caused an accident right in front of us.  By the time we were dropped off  at Taylor Landing - I hoped that the line of cars would be gone...  not...  We followed it most of the way back to Monroe.  I was late getting home, happy that Butch was already there.

Both Lynn & I enjoyed what's become a rare day of riding together!  With the busy schedules we both have this summer - we're still going to try to get in a few more!

Fall Shopping ~

The last of Molback's Fall displays~

It's been a stormy week, with a very few sun breaks - a good time to go visit with Courtney & do some shopping!  I'm not going to post photos of all the Christmas decorations going up at Molbacks - they'll be plenty of time for that after Thanksgiving!  Molbacks has always been a port-in-the-storm - during the fall/winter months especially, when we're looking for blasts of color & the nice bright atmosphere of the large greenhouses.

Pumpkins & Lanterns~

We enjoyed the amazing displays, found some great ideas for holiday projects & walked through all the plants - where I found a Tuscan Blue Upright Rosemary shaped like a small tree.  The smell is wonderful, it's sitting in a pretty new white pot, by my kitchen window :-)

Tuscan Blue Upright Rosemary

 Afterward, we headed over to the Pomegranate Bistro for a soup & sandwich lunch.  Outstanding as usual!  Next, time to pick up those grand-kids after school.  Mason & Cassidy attend the same middle school, which makes it handy.  Cassidy has piano lessons on Wednesday's, we stopped at the library before dropping her off.

Mason, Grammy & Cassidy

It's hard to believe how much these two have grown!  I've tried putting heavy books on their heads, stretching exercises for me - nothing seems to work!  They're going to top me in height any day now!  If you think the time goes fast as your own kids are growing up, it's Nothing compared to how fast your grandchildren will!  I'm just so thankful that they're close enough, for us to have the amazing opportunity to see them grow & become wonderful human beings.

Tolt Yarn & Wool

While we waited for Cassidy, we stopped by Tolt Yarn & Wool!  This space has been completely restored by the new owners & what an incredible job they've done!

Color, Color, Everywhere!

I'd never felt alpaca yarn & it has to be one of the softest substances on the planet!  What it would be like to work with, I don't know - but one of these days I might try a very small project :-)

After picking Cassidy up, we had to go for frozen yogurt, my newest craving - thanks to those same grand-kids!  :-)

Spring on the SVT~

As we leave Duvall~

What a Spectacular Day!  Lynn & I met in Duvall, it was a no jacket day!  As if the world woke & was starting to burst at the seams!  Everything is popping open!  The light green flush of new growth is Everywhere!  The birds were singing - a few people out on the trail enjoying the warmth!

Beaver Lodge

The Beavers are thrilled with all the water & debris that the flooding brought to their door!  They're using it to enlarge their home!  Farah has been moving better than ever!  Thanks to the incredible saddle that Linda has loaned us.  I used my old - but very good Woolback, shaped to fit the lowered rigging on this saddle & it worked perfectly.

Farah~

We planned to go to Carnation, but once there - we decided to go ahead to the Griffin Creek trail-head.  There we finally had to turn back.   We set a decent pace on the way out.

The Tolt

 The Tolt River was lower than I'd expected it to be - but it was nice - we waded out & the mares got a good drink.  I was busy being comfortable!  So nice to be back in a saddle with a great seat, rigging in the right place & my legs back where they belong!  Everett has bucking rolls ordered for me - that's the only thing I'll add.

Farah, Grammy & Mason

I knew that Courtney would be picking Grandson Mason up from school - when she called, ten-minutes from the school, we were about ten minutes out of Carnation!  We met at the park where Mason gave Farah cookies & I got my Big hug! 

Heading back to Duvall, Farah really started warming up - she was finally hitting her stride, maintaining & lengthening it.  It's taken this second ride for her to realize that there's no more pinching, rubbing etc. from the saddle.   When I think of all the miles she did last year  - it's amazing that she's kept the good attitude she has when it's time to ride.  I've been very lucky - notice I don't say "smart" -  in that we're finally working through this one issue that every horseman knows can be a tough one.   I'm so happy to be enjoying the ride & to know that my mare is finally comfortable too!

"Exploring" south on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail~

25-mi. on the SVT

Linnea - always count on her for an interesting ride!   Those of us who are lucky enough to enjoy her company on the trails - have talked of cloning her mare Bizy as a possible source of retirement income!  Bizy is in the best shape of her life. due to the fact that she's such an amazing ride & has three women now vying for time in her saddle!  The mare has had no choice but to get into amazing shape!  :-)  Wish I'd taken a photo of her rear end!   Lynn has plans for the mare - so wanted to do a longer ride & I was happy to oblige!  Then - there's Linnea's knowledge of the different trail systems - clone Lynn?  :-)

As we start down the trail~

We met at the Stillwater parking area south of Duvall & north of Carnation.  The day was cool & overcast - perfect summer riding weather.  The trail was very hard-packed!  Not out to break any speed records, just set a nice traveling pace & enjoy the day.  Farah & Bizy have developed a friendship of sorts - I sneer at you & you glare at me!  :-)  They are amazingly close in body color, with Bizy being a chocolate buckskin & Farah a chocolate palomino (san's mane).

Very nice at the river~

There wasn't much traffic on the trail, the bike riders we did meet were all courteous & let us know when they were coming up.  Much nicer than those of the Centennial Trail - where it's all about how fast they can blow by!  If your horse doesn't do bridges, then this is Not the trail for you!  We ran into a couple endurance riders, new to the trail, having exactly that issue.  I've been noticing that so many riders have these plans for conditioning their horses... Go this far, go this fast, do this, do that...   I think if they'd relax a little on all that planning & just ride the horse for the conditions of that day - they might have more fun, more success & more willing mounts. (Just my two cents.)

We come up on one of the multiple bridge crossings~

We found the Boy Scout camp where our Grandson Mason has camped!  Lynn showed me the multiple parking options - while sharing some of the history of the area - fun!  Then we headed up what was the trails for the Griffin Creek area - also called "Fall City" trails by some.  We got up onto the hill before we hit the fresh logging that obliterated the trail.  We turned back at that point, taking a short-cut down the hill - the bugs were out in Force!

View from the top of our climb~

 I did get to admire the view above & saw just enough, to realize what a Huge loss this trail system was to all the riders of this area...  So sad...  Always appreciative of the trails we do have - it nonetheless saddens me when the few areas of wooded trails that still exist go under the loggers equipment...  Or are sold to private individuals who turn them into their private holdings.

Our turn-back point!

The Google Earth image, dated;  4-30-2009 still shows the acres of intact forest...  not anymore...  Regardless - we had a really Great ride!  Bizy impressed Lynn - moving out & up to a 10-mph trot & holding it for 3-miles!  Faster than anyone thought she could do!  Go Bizy!  We finished up at the trailers at 21-miles, so headed north for a couple more & looped back to get that magic 25 that Lynn was looking for!

Farah came home to fresh bedding in her run & me to smoked ribs!  Can't beat that for a perfect summertime day!

Return to the SVT~

Our Route & Stats

It was a cool & cloudy morning, but no rain & people were out & walking this very nice trail "linear" park.  Heather & Rafik were our riding partners today & we both enjoyed their company!  Rafik & Farah are almost the same age, seem to get along well & their paces are well matched.

We started moving right out, had some of the "usual" spooks when the ducks flew up off a wetland & the garbage truck caught us off guard at the edge of town :-)  Otherwise we made good time.

At the Tolt River

Once at the Tolt, we took a short break, the horses had a drink & we explored a little way east on a trail that seems to go along the river.  I'd like to check with the locals to see how far this trail might go?  Would be a great ride for a longer day.

Connie & Farah at the river~

Once we turned back for the return trip, the pace went up :-)  I let Farah loose once & she quickly moved from her 12 mph extended trot, up to & over 14 mph. before the highway crossing came up.   I love riding that trot!   We did the round-trip in under three hours - including two of our three stops.

Great ride, fun day - afterward we stopped to see those Duvall Grand-kids!  I enjoyed a hot cup of tea, Farah a BIG apple!