The dilemma of "I want to go hiking in the wilderness with my small children, but they still require naps," has been solved: Hike in the city.
"But wait," you cry, "how can that solve my need for open air, adventure, wildlife, a sense of isolation?" Well, my friend, read on.
Here's what you'll need: comfortable walking shoes (boots if it has been raining), snacks, water, a backpack to carry a small child (strollers will get mired down in the plentiful mud) and approximately one hour.
You're now ready to go on one of my family's favorite nature hikes, departing from the Museum of History and Industry, more commonly known as MOHAI.
Starting from the lower parking lot, follow the barrel of the cannon to the trailhead and step out on to the first of many floating spans, docks, bridges and platforms that the Seattle Parks Department has built to connect the mainland to Marsh Island and subsequently Foster Island.
You'll almost be walking on water for a portion of this hike that runs between the Montlake Cut and Husky Stadium on one side and the thundering traffic of the 520 freeway on the other.
There is plenty of wildlife nestled in the reeds and the water lilies for kids to find. If ducks, fish and bugs aren't a big draw for your little ones, they can hunt for beaver shavings or try to spot muskrats swimming thru the marsh. Or you can enjoy the boat traffic in Union Bay. On a recent morning, we watched a single scull cross by an old-fashioned tugboat while a UW Zoology boat putt-putted close behind. As the warmer weather approaches, the variety and number of boats increases, and it's fun to stand on the viewing platforms, waving as they glide by.
With the exception of the steps on the bridges, the trail is relatively flat and usually spongy with wood chips and mud. Twenty-seven trail markers are placed along the walk to Foster Island, and you can purchase an Arboretum Waterfront Self-Guided Trail Guide for 50 cents from MOHAI or the Graham Visitors Center in the Arboretum, although we've been perfectly happy to forgo the map and use the markers as racing marks or math lessons.
Once you reach Foster Island, you can take a left and head to Foster Point to gaze at Lake Washington, or you can make a right and follow the main path underneath State Route 520 towards the Arboretum. The path meanders beside a small lagoon, and then joins up with Arboretum Drive which leads you to the Graham Visitors Center (a great place for a pit stop.) We like to loop back using the trail just west of the gravel parking lot, underneath the twisting 520 off ramps, then left up the trail to Lake Washington Boulevard. From there you can wander through the Montlake neighborhood or stroll along Lake Washington Boulevard to the bridge over 520 to McCurdy Park MOHAI.
The best thing about this hike is that it can be done all year round. We have watched ducks landing on ice in the lagoon in the winter, we have sloshed through ankle deep water and mud in the spring and we have admired the beautiful flowers all through the marsh and the meadows in the summer. Get your (minimal) gear, get out for this walk and I promise that when you finish, you will feel as if you escaped to the wilderness, but you'll still be able to get your toddler into her own bed in time for her 1 o'clock nap.
IF YOU GO
Where: Museum of History and Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E. From either direction of Interstate 5, exit to eastbound State Route 520 at exit 168B. Exit at Montlake Boulevard. At the stoplight go straight onto Lake Washington Boulevard and continue one block to 24th Avenue East. Turn left into the museum's driveway at 24th Avenue East. Follow the road to the parking lot. Parking is free.
The Waterfront Trail to Foster Island is 1/2 mile in length. It is less than 1/2 mile between the northern tip of Foster Island and the Graham Visitors Center, which is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Sunday, and closed on holidays.
When: The Waterfront Trail and Arboretum are open dusk until dawn.
Cost: There is no fee for the hike.
Contact: MOHAI: 206-324-1126; www.seattlehistory.org. Arboretum: 206-543-8800; https://depts.washington.edu/uwbg/
Erika Lee Bigelow is the “Going Places” editor of Seattle’s Child and the mother of three.
