Rattlesnake Mountain

Rattlesnake Ledge

(Rattlesnake Mountain Trail via Rattlesnake Lake)

(4.0 miles?)

So I did not actually run this trail, but I'm including it because it was a gorgeous trail, very runnable, and had a lot more trail to add on, should one want a longer run.

I would imagine that anyone from Seattle who hikes and/or runs on trails would be familiar with this trail. It seemed as if a large portion of Seattle's population was on this trail, which might make running difficult, but if you are like me, and do not know Seattle, but happen to be there for some reason-- I absolutely think this is a great trail to run.

The trail started at Rattlesnake Lake, spent the next two miles climbing through green trees, leaves and all kinds of foliage, finally ending at Rattlesnake Ledge, where you get views like this. Again, the number of other hikers rule out this spot for romantic trysts, but summer views? Gorgeous!

As I said before, there are many options for lengthening one's run. Apparently there is a trail that you can run to (9 miles point-to-point) that leads to a winery. My kind of run!

The best thing about this trail, though? After our lovely hike, we came back to the lake, changed into swimsuits and went swimming! How many trails can boast both challenging terrain and swimming opportunities afterwards?!

This is also a dog-friendly trail. All the dogs we saw were on leashes on the trail, but there were tons of dogs swimming free in the lake.

Well, that's it for the Pacific Northwest Tour 2008. I'm off for one more run in the sun before my vacation ends and I'm back on a plane again tomorrow for work.

Seattle Saturday

Burke-Gilman Trail
(5 miles)

Well, this isn't a REAL trail-running moment, since the trail (as you can see from the picture) is paved. But I had a great run this morning, so we're counting it anyway.

This trail runs from the Fremont district (where my friends live) to the University of Washington, and then goes a distance in the other direction as well, but I didn't run that.

As you can see from this picture, the weather was spectacular today. Seattle in the summer is beee-yooo-ti-ful. The path runs along by the water, treating you to views of bridges, boats and... The Wall of Death. I don't get it. If you are from Seattle or have any idea why this exists, please let me know. I was deeply confused.

Really though-- this morning was one of those runs where you have to ask yourself, "what on earth could I possibly have to complain about right now?" The sun was out, it wasn't too hot (mid-high 70s), no humidity, water all around, flowers in bloom wherever you looked... THIS is why people put up with 9 months of rain!

The rest of the day? Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park, the Experience Music Project, beer, and then an amazing afternoon/evening of boating around on Lake Washington and Lake Union--including a surprise fireworks display from Mercer Island.

My oh my, but do I love me some vacation.

(Me. With some beer.)