Touristy SW Washington, part 1
Fourth of July Weekend
Mountain-biking on roads and trails along the edge of the artillery range from Ft Lewis to Nisqually and back. Glad there wasn't any ranges going on or that would have been a stupid idea. Some good hills, a few nice views, quite a lot of deer.
Suddenly and unexpectedly got bored with running Miller Hill on Sunday morning, so only did a few miles there, then drove around Lakewood and Steilacoom. Ended up running the little loop at Seeley Lake Park (not a bad short run) and Fort Steilacoom Park (another short loop, but with more possibility). Still looking ofr other interesting places to run.
Hiked Millersylvania State Park (http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/millersylvania-state-park), which was a nice, short hike of about 4 miles. It even boasted a "fitness trail" in one section. Alas, the fitness element seem to have been removed except for the chinup bars. Still, not a bad loop for jogging/running. Evidence of mountain biking in the area, but the trails don't look like they're worth it for that.
Also hiked part of Mima Mounds (http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mima-mounds) but the mounds aren't really worth it. Instead skirted the edges of the Capitol State Forest where I saw a lot of horseback riders, a few dogs, and two fat guys. I'll be going back soon, as there are a lot of interesting things in that area. My immediate goal is Mima Falls, and more. I'll need to bring a few supplies, however, as the place is huge. This turned out to be a a pleasant surprise, as the mounds were a throwaway walk so I could get a little more sun (so damn pallid).
And finally, exploration of local rail trails. I'd tried out the Orting to South Prairie section of the Foothills trail, because it's the most scenic. The rest of the length goings through what looks like suburbia, and who needs more of that? That was a month or so ago, and I was looking for something closer. I found that in Yelm. There are two major rail trails with trailheads in Yelm and Lacey. I opted for Yelm, as it's a short drive out of East Gate. Went from Yelm (the park on Yelm Ave & 1st St) through Rainer and turned around just before McIntosh Lake (the trail continues to Tenino), then backtracked a bit, hit the connection with another railtrail towards Lacey, did a few miles on there. Round trips a little over 20 miles, which tends to be my limit on a mountain bike. I don't get tired, but my tailbone starts hating me about 14 miles in. I'm not sure why. Later I plan on doing the Lacey trailhead.
Geeky as hell: Drove all the way out to a little town called Black Diamond because... that's where my favorite Shadowrun character lived, a mouse shaman named Justin. Tiny little place, didn't even bother to get the camera out.
Current To-Do List:
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (walking)
Capitol State Forest
Mt Rainier area
Today's weather sucks, so it's perfect to enjoy the atmosphere of Seattle itself. Looking at doing some of the CityPASS attractions, possibly the Underground.
Mountain-biking on roads and trails along the edge of the artillery range from Ft Lewis to Nisqually and back. Glad there wasn't any ranges going on or that would have been a stupid idea. Some good hills, a few nice views, quite a lot of deer.
Suddenly and unexpectedly got bored with running Miller Hill on Sunday morning, so only did a few miles there, then drove around Lakewood and Steilacoom. Ended up running the little loop at Seeley Lake Park (not a bad short run) and Fort Steilacoom Park (another short loop, but with more possibility). Still looking ofr other interesting places to run.
Hiked Millersylvania State Park (http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/millersylvania-state-park), which was a nice, short hike of about 4 miles. It even boasted a "fitness trail" in one section. Alas, the fitness element seem to have been removed except for the chinup bars. Still, not a bad loop for jogging/running. Evidence of mountain biking in the area, but the trails don't look like they're worth it for that.
Also hiked part of Mima Mounds (http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mima-mounds) but the mounds aren't really worth it. Instead skirted the edges of the Capitol State Forest where I saw a lot of horseback riders, a few dogs, and two fat guys. I'll be going back soon, as there are a lot of interesting things in that area. My immediate goal is Mima Falls, and more. I'll need to bring a few supplies, however, as the place is huge. This turned out to be a a pleasant surprise, as the mounds were a throwaway walk so I could get a little more sun (so damn pallid).
And finally, exploration of local rail trails. I'd tried out the Orting to South Prairie section of the Foothills trail, because it's the most scenic. The rest of the length goings through what looks like suburbia, and who needs more of that? That was a month or so ago, and I was looking for something closer. I found that in Yelm. There are two major rail trails with trailheads in Yelm and Lacey. I opted for Yelm, as it's a short drive out of East Gate. Went from Yelm (the park on Yelm Ave & 1st St) through Rainer and turned around just before McIntosh Lake (the trail continues to Tenino), then backtracked a bit, hit the connection with another railtrail towards Lacey, did a few miles on there. Round trips a little over 20 miles, which tends to be my limit on a mountain bike. I don't get tired, but my tailbone starts hating me about 14 miles in. I'm not sure why. Later I plan on doing the Lacey trailhead.
Geeky as hell: Drove all the way out to a little town called Black Diamond because... that's where my favorite Shadowrun character lived, a mouse shaman named Justin. Tiny little place, didn't even bother to get the camera out.
Current To-Do List:
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (walking)
Capitol State Forest
Mt Rainier area
Today's weather sucks, so it's perfect to enjoy the atmosphere of Seattle itself. Looking at doing some of the CityPASS attractions, possibly the Underground.