Description: This trail is my sanctuary. It was formerly a railroad track and later paved over by asphalt to convert to a multi-use trail. The trail begins at Lake Sammamish, then becomes the Burke-Gilman Trail in Kenmore. My favorite section of the Sammamish River Trail is in the Bothell Landing area. Over the past 13 years, I have walked this trail hundreds of times. It's the place where I can meditate in peace. I have watched this trail evolve from an ordinary northwest suburban trail to a dense, lush forest over the years, thanks to community conservation efforts and tree planting projects. A few detours worth seeing are: the Wetlands trail that is just beyond the playground at the Bothell Landing; Brackets Landing park and loop neighborhood located east; the railroad trestle and loop trail that leads to Blythe Park, located west; and just east of Brackett's Landing is the adjoining trail that connects to the new UW Bothell campus and its adjacent wetlands area.
Nice features: Trees, trees, and more trees. The Sammamish River. People-watching. Chickens. Rabbits. Ducks. Canada Geese. Great blue herons. Red-winged blackbirds. Quaint wooden bridge. Blackberries. Historical Bothell buildings at the park. Watching thousands of crows fly in overhead at sunset from every single direction to spend their evening congregating at the UW Bothell campus. Head east towards Woodinville and get mesmerized by standing under the I-405 interchange and marvel at human engineering. Take your pick...ride a bike, walk, jog, rollerblade, push a stroller. Catch a free concert in the park in the summer at the amphitheater. In the mood for water? Go on the river instead in your kayak or canoe. If you're lucky like me, you can launch at the ramp right in your own neighborhood. Or you can put in at the Brackett's Landing, the Park at Bothell Landing, or the Sammamish River Park.
Location & Parking:
The Park at Bothell Landing: 9919 NE 180th St, Bothell, WA
Map of Park at Bothell Landing by MapQuest
Park at the Bothell Landing at the above address. Or, go through downtown Bothell, cross over the bridge on 102nd Ave, and park at the Sammamish River Park on the other side of the river.
Walking Route: From the Bothell Landing, walk along the trail and head east towards Woodinville or head west towards Kenmore. Decide how much time you have and then turn around at the half-way time. Alternatively, take one of the detours described above.
