Description: Years ago, I got into a fight with an army of stinging nettle while trying to find the first section of the Tolt Pipeline Trail. The Tolt Pipeline Trail is about 14 miles and travels through Eastside suburban neighborhoods from Bothell to Carnation. Water flows through the pipes below the ground, and utility lines are seen above at times. This first section starts literally at Wayne Golf Course. The reason I got into a fight with the nettle is I tried the hard way to find this trail. I was aware that you could take the little loop trail in Blythe Park and take a side trail to end up at the Pipeline Trail. My mistake was attempting to do this when the vegetation was at its thickest point during its annual growth. I lost my way and then was furiously attacked. Eventually, I managed to get back to civilization and ran back to my job at Thorn Ford Dental Lab, where I hosed down my burning legs. Now that I know the easy way to get to the trail, I can enjoy it for something a little different to do around here. In the winter, my husband, Pete, took his kids sledding down this hill when it snowed, and they all had a blast, not to mention their own sledding hill all to themselves. Once you reach the peak of this first series of hills, you end up on top of Norway Hill, which is one of the tallest hills in Bothell. Then the next option is to continue walking through the neighborhood's winding streets in any desired direction, or continue following the Pipeline Trail down the other side of Norway Hill. I haven't attempted to go back down the same way towards the golf course because it just seems too darn steep to walk downhill in that direction. The last trail section before reaching the top of Norway Hill is muddy, mixed with grass, and feels almost completely vertical. What a feeling of breathless exhilaration once you reach the top, though! Talk about a cardio workout. I strongly advise wearing hiking boots with good traction to handle the slippery slope.
Nice features: The best part of this walk is the beautiful view at the top of the hill. Once you reach the top, turn around and feel proud of yourself for exercising your way up the hill. Check out how far down below the golf course seems. Then scan your eyes in the horizon to the west and view the majestic Olympic Mountains on the other side of the Puget Sound. This is one of those spots that makes me so happy that I live in this beautiful state. Another nice feature of this walk is that there's a pretty good chance no one else will be out there, so it's possible to enjoy this walk in solitude or with a favorite pal or your Sweetie. This hill is perfect for sledding...that is, the bottom section of the hill, not the top! No need to worry about any traffic or crowds getting in the way of the fun.
Location & Parking:
Blythe Park, 16950 W Riverside Drive, Bothell, WA
Map of Blythe Park by MapQuest
Park in the parking lot at Blythe Park. To find the beginning of the trail, go to the far end of the park, where the fence separates Blythe Park from Wayne Golf course. It is easy to get around the fence. Once on the other side of the fence, head left and the pipeline trail will go straight up--can't miss it!
Walking Route: If you choose not to come back down the hill the same way towards the golf course, park a second car at the top of Norway Hill (look at map for 104th Ave NE). Or, plan on taking a very long loop walk back down into Bothell and then walk back to Blythe Park on Riverside Drive. Be sure to have a map with you. A shortcut can be taken through the neighborhood on Norway Hill by walking north on 105th Ave NE (zoom in on the map to see this street), and a trail can be found between two homes at the north part of 105th. This trail will take you straight down to 102nd Ave NE, by the Northshore Senior Center. Once you get down by the Senior Center, Blythe Park is a fairly short walk down the road.
