A New Year's Walk

This New Year's day we joined our favorite walkability nonprofit, Feet First, on a trek around Lake Union on the 6-mile Chesiahud Trail. Feet First has a wonderful walking Meetup group, by the way. On this occasion board member Dave Ramsey, our group leader, stopped occasionally to explain historical points of interest to our group of 50 or so walkers.  

If you haven't explored the Chesiahud Trail and Lake Union's history yet, you've missed a real treat! For more info on Feet First's next major event, Stairway Walks Day, go to our Walks & Events page.

Our group heads up the Fremont Bridge stairs, on the east side

Route Alert: Longfellow Creek and Pigeon Point

Yet another route alert, this one caused by humans! In the early morning hours of December 19, a pickup truck drove right through a street-end next to Longfellow Creek, hit a small pedestrian bridge there and plunged into the water. The driver and passenger were not injured, but the pedestrian bridge is closed indefinitely for repairs. Unfortunately for stairway walkers, this bridge provides access to the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail right at the beginnning of the Longfellow Creek and Pigeon Point stairway walk (Chapter 19). 

Thankfully there's an easy detour to the opposite side of the bridge. From the starting point described in the book, head to the intersection of 26th Avenue SW and SW Andover Street. Walk west a couple dozen yards along the sidewalk next to SW Andover Street, then turn left to traverse the parking lot at the West Seattle Health Club. You'll find the entrance to the Longfellow Creek trail straight ahead across the street-end, as you exit the parking lot (the same street-end the pickup truck plowed through). After that, the loop route continues unchanged.

Have a safe and happy New Year. See you on the stairs!

Looking east across the closed bridge, with the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail entrance out of frame on the right; photo credit: West Seattle Blog