9/13/2009

Snohomish -- Lord Hill Regional Park

Description:
Pete, Squeaky, and I were pleasantly surprised when we checked out this park today. This walk truly felt like a hike in the mountains, even though it's a short drive from Everett, Monroe, or Bothell. If you're ever driving towards Monroe on 522 from Bothell and see the thick forest to the left of the highway just before reaching Monroe, this is the park. We were only able to cover a small portion of the trail system in this park during the hour that we were there, so we plan on getting back there again to explore some more. The trail is shared with horses, but there was a minimal amount of horse droppings on the trail. That means it doesn't get in the way of the hiking enjoyment (unlike the experience I've had with Bridal Trails in Bellevue). The path is wide and well-maintained. We hiked up towards Devil's Butte. There was supposed to be a viewpoint of the Cascades and the Olympics, but we were somewhat rushed and didn't quite find the right spot. The trail gains elevation at a gentle slope. The footing may be tricky at times, with quite a few rocks in the trail. On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, there were only a few people on the trail. We saw a few horses, too. This forest is a perfect place to take children hiking, your dog for a walk, or for training for your next marathon. I imagine the ground gets muddy and slippery during wet weather, so save this trail for a dry, sunny day.

Location & Parking:
Be sure to use a map to find the entrance to the park, which is located on the northwest part of the park. Check out the Lord Hill Regional Park website for detailed driving directions and maps. The address is: 12921 150th Street SE, Snohomish, WA 98290