pavedwave longboarding

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

THE BURKE AND SAMMAMISH TRAIL - 25 MILES

The Burke-Gilman and Sammamish trails combined, are nearly 27 miles in total. This thread will attempt to explain in detail a 25-mile portion of the trail as we use it in the Seattle Ultraskates, with pictures and eventually videos, pointing out the potentially confusing areas where one might easily be led into time and energy-consuming detours.

The Burke-Gilman and Sammamish trail is open officially from dawn to dusk. Night-time riding is possible, but not advised. There are a good number of trail 'gotchas' like roots cropping up through the asphalt, pine cones, sticks, puddles, concrete cattle guards, intersections that sneak up, and on occasion, some spooky run-ins with stray dogs.

When we do Ultraskates on the Burke, we convene around 7:30--7:45 a.m. at the Gasworks Park parking lot, with the plan to launch at a punctual 8 a.m. The actual START line is right in front of Urban Surf, across from Gasworks Park.

Street Address for Urban Surf (wow, free advertising for years now...think they might sponsor us?)

2100 N. Northlake Way

For your reference, this "GMAP" link shows a complete walkthrough of the trail as well, and can be zoomed to various degrees of detail. It defaults to show the final point in Redmond, at which point I created a "squiggly" mark in order to come to a rounded out 25 miles. The reason for this apparent inaccuracy is that when plotting the points, some of the lines were straighter than would normally be than when in pedestrian mode with GPS. The computer cuts corners that we normally would not. We've charted this course numerous times with GPS and have a very accurate record now of these start and stop points for a near-perfect 25-miles.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2638092

The trail is straightforward and a little bit busy with road traffic for the first half. As you start off, you'll be at the north end of Lake Union, riding east toward the University District. Stay aware of the intersections, not only for cars, but for oncoming bikes that are out training at speeds of 15--25mph.

Mile 1 - Wall of Death

You'll go through two small intersections, cross an overpass, then go under the huge I-5 freeway overpass, before you pass underneath the University bridge, where to the left of the trail you'll see the infamously destroyed skate-spot, the "Wall of Death" which used to be a favorite of kickflippers. The city embedded big boulders into the cement to shut it down. The picture below shows a guy shreddin the wall before the deadly boulders were installed.

Afterwhich, there will be two more small intersections passing near UW dorms, then a STOP sign intersection at a fairly busy intersection -- proceed with caution, don't blast through it. (Brooklyn Ave NE) Drivers in the University District are used to cocky students and they drive just as aggressively -- they'll even speed up when they see you. This intersection is also known to post bicycle police just on the other side to catch a few bikes blowing the stop sign.

This will soon be followed by a tiny park on the right, then the first intersection you'll come to with a Walk/Stop light for peds. (University Way NE)

The next intersection comes just 100 feet later, and is about the largest you'll encounter on the whole trail. (15th Ave NE) This is just north and west of University Hospital. It would be tough to blast through this light, given the width of the crossing here, most people law-abide and just wait, I would advise the same. When doing a 24-hour Ultra you can afford a minute or two of rest, and you'll appreciate the wait even more on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th times through this intersection.

The trail is scenic and smooth sailing for a long time now, and the road intersections are fewer and clearly marked. There's a long, gradual downhill slope right after the UW Hospital, the top of this slope is right after you see Husky Stadium on the right. The slope is interrupted only by pedestrian traffic for the most part, but you'll need to keep a sharp eye out -- students tend to walk about in a haze and many times don't even look up.

Mile 2 - Husky Stadium Parking lot on right

The first interruption to this blissful ride is a huge FLASHING Stop sign (Pend Oreille Road) -- I have personally seen ambulances carting bikers away from here, so there is a good reason for the sign, cars are flying down a curvy hill over the trail. Stay aware.

More smooth, tree-covered sailing for another quarter mile, past more dorms on the left and apartments on the right, then a gradual turn to the right and you'll come to what's really the last big controlled intersection for a long time. (25th Ave NE)

Mile 3 - Ti Cycles and Water Fountain

Now you're going up a long gradual incline and leaving University Village. The big intersections are practically non-existent for the rest of the trip. When you come to the next one, you'll see Ti Cycle shop on the left. Try to remember this landmark, because once you cross this intersection, there's one of the few WATER fountains to the left of the trail.

Continue up this gradual incline a quarter mile. The wooden bridge overpass will test your ability to cruise over rough terrain without jarring your teeth or other bones loose. Fortunately it's short-lived. If it's wet, watch for slip-outs, especially on the way back when you're coming down this slope with more speed.

Mile 4 - Basketball court park

Another small crosswalk, followed by a busier one crossing 40th Ave NE. Drivers have a strong sense of entitlement on these non-lighted uncontrolled crosswalks, so stay defensive. Small park with basketball court on the right after you cross the road, and the trail continues on this long gradual uphill. This is the only place where the trail SPLITS for eastbound and westbound traffic, for a very short time -- so simply stay to the right.

Good news is, you're reaching the apex of this long climb soon, just after the trail goes under an overpass. (Princeton Ave NE)

Mile 5 - Top of the Hill

Smooth gradual downhill cruise, followed by the View Ridge district where SUV's like to blindly zoom over the crosswalks. (NE 65th St., etc)

This will also be your introduction to the first "Cattle Guards" in the trail. You will cross over 10 or more of these concrete grates just before or after intersections that can shake your teeth loose. Best strategy is look behind you, then if its clear, ride over them diagonally. If the bike or pedestrian traffic is too busy for you to hog the whole trail at that moment (bikes trailing you closely or on your side) at least compress and bounce your deck just before, and unweight as you go over the grate. This will save your teeth from rattling and help extend the life of your kingpins and axles. Trust me.

Mile 6 - Tennis Courts

The long gradual downhill continues and you'll see tennis courts on the right just past NE 77th St. Not too long after that is a somewhat blind crosswalk that passes over a fast private road, use caution and footbrake as needed. Another friendly cattle guard, then some park benches on the sides of the trails. Lots of tree cover here and a nice gravity assist continues.

Mile 7 - Matthews Beach, Water if you need it

The trail slowly hooks to the left, then gradually curves to the right just before you cross a bridge before the trails that veer off into Matthews Beach park on the right. I would call this a very "optional" or emergency rest stop, if you have run out of water and really need it. I'm not even sure if the restrooms will be open there until the summer season. And know that you have to go off the trail a good quarter mile, down a steep hill, to get to the fountains. My advice is don't stop if you don't have to.

You might see some big cats on the trail here. They rule this place.

Lake Washington is on the right and you'll be riding right along the shore for a while now. It can get windy here at times. This place has the highest density of cattle guards, maybe five in a row, so keep looking back and crossing them diagonally if possible.

Mile 8 - More Tree-lined Lake view bliss

Pretty and scenic, sometimes your GPS will lose signal here because of all the tree cover. In winter's heavy rains, the hills on the left of the trail often erode and there are mudslides that shut down portions of the trail.

Mile 10 - Things start to get rough

147th Ave NE is actually close to my place, just up and over the hill where the houses go from multi-million dollar view homes to ones that more normal humans like myself can barely afford. I'll try to mark this point with chalk in the morning of any Ultra, and sometimes drop a case of water off down here as well.

You're soon entering the neighborhood of Lake Forest Park, a wonderful group of old fogeys that love to see the trail fall apart over the years because to them it means that bike traffic will move more slowly. They have successfully fought the city and county in town hall meetings to ensure this legistation sticks. Fortunately this has been overturned recently, but these kind folks effectively delayed improvements to the trail. So the next few miles are about as bad as the asphalt gets, but beyond that it's fairly smooth sailing. Thank you so much Lake Forest Park, you bunch of eco-hating freaks!

Note also the prominence of STOP signs here. This is the only place on the trail where I've once had bike police stop me and remind me not to run the Stop signs. These wonderful signs we can also thank the LFP locals for. But they aren't consistently regulated, and bikers blow through them, you can too. Just be aware.

As you begin to round the north end of Lake Washington, there will be some patches of nice asphalt here and there, and a scenic little bridge over a babblng brook.

Mile 11 - MOTION BOARD SHOP

Crossing NE 170th Street, with a very busy Bothell Way NE on your left, you are briefly thrust back into civilization, with the first controlled pedestrian crossing in a long time. Look for cops first if you are thinking of blowing any lights, you're still in Lake Forest Park where longboarding is basically illegal.

However, it's also home to one of the best skate shops near Seattle, MotionBoardShop, which is on the left of the trail just past 170th St intersection, with a big mural painted on the back of the shop. You can practically touch the shop while riding on the trail, but it's still easy to miss. Best place to stop if you need any skate stuff!

Mile 12 - Tracy Owen Park

Just before the 13-mile marker, at the northernmost end of Lake Washington, you'll see Tracy Owen park to the right.

Stay to the LEFT if you don't need to stop for WATER or RESTROOMS. In just April of 2009, this park has been upgraded with new facilities, so this is now an additional, and much needed water stop. Even if you do miss this turnoff, you will still see the landmark and there's a quick back-track to the restroom building just past that, when you see the children's playground. The water fountains are on the lake-side of the new restroom building.

This is the Tracy Owen / Logboom landmark and the park.

Past the park, watch out at the next crosswalk, cars do NOT stop and it's marked as such. The nasty bumps that once existed here have been somewhat taken care of with some new asphalt treatment.

Mile 13 - The Kenmore Underpasses

This will be the last you see of Lake Washington to your right, you've crested the north end and will soon be going down and up the first of three underpasses.

These are nice because you don't have to stop for traffic anymore. They are mild slopes with lots of room to carve back and forth (as long as bikers aren't around.) All this part of the trail is new, so there are sometimes still rocks and gravel that can pitch you off the board if you're tired or zoning out.

You'll also see busy Bothell Way NE on the left, and this is one of the few places you could skate across the street for a gas station mini-mart if you really needed something to eat or drink.

Mile 14 - Wayne Golf Course and Tunnel

A very gradual, almost undetectable climb up to Wayne golf course on your right.

The end of Burke-Gilman, start of Sammamish Trail

STAY LEFT!

After passing Wayne Golf Course on the right, then through a tunnel, this is a really crucial decision point. You do NOT want to go over the big bridge to the right -- this will take you onto another trail that dead ends a mile or so later. To the left, you'll see a blue sign that indicates the transition to the Sammamish Trail. Just a little past that is the "biggest" hill on the trail, it's rather short, but you can still pick up decent speed just before going into a tight turn, and another potentially confusing trail point.

Unlike the top of the hill, when you reach the bottom you will want to go right and cross a small foot-bridge. Be aware that this turn is really tight, and often busy, and the east end of the bridge has a pretty large expansion gap that can swallow wheels whole, so you might need to bounce over it.

Mile 15 - Roosters and Chickens of Bothell

After crossing the foot-bridge, just stay on the WIDE trail. There's a small trail veering off to the right that might look tempting, but it's actually pock-marked and bumpy and goes uphill -- you really don't want to go there.

Stay on the wide trail that winds and wends alongside the Sammamish Slough on the left (you'll cross the slough again later.) You'll pass the city of Bothell over on the left, and see an old arched foot bridge along this path as well. There are some really big roots cropping up through the asphalt in places and loose branches and other debris along this area. Usually some strollers and old folks out taking walks and feeding the chickens that roam around free-range style.

Eventually you'll reach a small parking lot with a slightly tempting path to the right, but it's pretty clear that staying LEFT is the correct course:

Just stay on the wide trail and soon it will go under an overpass with a really sharp right (and BLIND) turn -- check your speed because it can be busy as well.

A park bench with a couple of gold sneakers (a memorial) is on the right. Just stay the course that continues to the right of the Slough.

Mile 16 - Cross the Slough and the Trail Disappears?

About a mile from Bothell you'll come to your next bridge to cross over the Slough. Once over it there's a bunch of construction on the left, and a tiny steep hill. Crest the hill, and it seems like the trail just disappears into roadway. Basically, you just follow the road. Don't veer right or left, just follow the road straight, and notice the white painted bike path lines over on the left of the road. Yes, this is still the Sammamish trail.

Little steep hill - stay to the RIGHT!

A few hundred feet later, when the road ends, just hook a sharp left and you're back on a friendly trail, now with the Slough on your right, which suddenly upgrades to the title of "River." You'll go down a tiny but fast hill, and see this sign on your left. Think fast -- stay to the right and go over the bridge.

In fact, the general rule of thumb from here on out is: if you ever see a fork in the trail that looks tempting, just keep riding close to the Sammamish River all the way to Marymoor park -- EXCEPT for the last turn around Mile 24... we'll get to that.

Mile 18 - Woodinville's Wilmot Gateway Park

Restroom, Water Fountains, Mini-Mart

This is a big grassy semi-circular park, with very reliable water fountains and usually-clean restrooms.

Mile 19 - Water Fountain and Redhook Brewery

There's a little house just to the left of the trail which sometimes serves refreshments, but it's just locked up in the cold season. However, the water fountain in front of it should be functional, if you need it.

100 feet after that the path forks left into a big parking lot and crosses a bridge to Redhook, but you want to stay RIGHT and go under the bridge. You can't actually see Redhook from here, but it's about a quarter mile off the trail and I figured it's good to mention, not for Ultraskates but for other future reference.

On the other side of the bridge you'll have a nice open view of the plateau, the river on your right, and a long string of condos on the left. Notice and appreciate how butter smooth the trail is -- it will stay this way most the rest of the way to Marymoor.

Mile 21 - Tiny restroom

The path has been straight and smooth a long time, you go under one more overpass and a little crooked bend, then 200 feet after there is a path shooting off the trail at 90 degrees, toward another little house and a porta-potty type of outhouse, which is usually decent enough in case you really need it, and this might be your LAST chance for a restroom, since the ones out at Marymoor seem to have disappeared for the winter. I'm pretty sure this is the area known as "60 acres."

Mile 23 - The Hump

This is just a small incline and decline, with a foot-bridge off to the right which you should ignore. I just mention it here as a landmark. The surface on the hump is really smooth, but after that it gets back to some old, pretty craggy asphalt, one of the few remaining patches of the old trail. You can tell you're getting spoiled by the Eastside when you start noticing this stuff.

You'll go under a couple more overpasses, and over a ULTRA-SMOOTH new patch of asphalt (as of April 2009) which used to be a set of extreme asphalt bumps from tree roots. Just after this black patch of heaven is a really easy to miss water fountain on the right.

Just after another overpass, the path forks once again, and once again you need to stay to the right. There's a big flat, decent sized green playfield on your left, and the trail curves next to it. You're just a half mile from what is probably the most confusing decision point on the trail.

Mile 24 - Go to Marymoor Park! NOT Redmond Town Center!

Now, when you see this upcoming bridge, you need to break tradition and go LEFT for the path to Marymoor. But as you go up this hill toward the road, pay attention to the small pedestrian bridge on the right. You need to cross this small bridge, then go down and around a very sharp blind corner (footbraking is a must) which goes under the bridge.

Sharp U-turn under the footbridge, almost there!!

Pretty straightforward now, you go under a really big overpass (520 freeway), then will be next to a giant concrete wall just before reaching the entry to Marymoor Park, and will see a park information stand to the right.

Look LEFT to see this bridge:

Cross the bridge, and stay to the LEFT, next to the baseball and soccer fields. There is a water fountain here as well, but maintenance seems to be a big issue out here.

The RESTROOM out here is fairly reliable in the spring and summer, and this nearly marks the 25-mile turnaround point!

Once you see these posts and a big parking lot...

You've made it!

Now take a deep breath, do a victory dance (or lie down for a minute) then turn around and shoot 25-miles back to Gasworks!

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Other General notes and Trail Etiquette:

Always be aware of FAST bikers, and try to keep to the right as much as possible. This trail is like a Freeway for bikes, and they will let you know LOUD AND CLEAR if you get in their way. I rarely have any issues with them. Just remember to keep right. We want skateboarders to build a good reputation on the trails.

I wouldn't count on the trail's water fountains to be your primary source for fluids. Be sure to pack your own backup supply of water.

Tracy Owen / Logboom Park at Mile 12 has recently undergone renovations and I would consider it also a must stop if you need it.

However, the fountains at Mile 18 Woodinville Wilmot Park, ARE very reliable, and the restrooms are the best there as well. I would try to strategize around that park as a place to refresh your Camelbak and take care of business. There is even an am-pm mini mart hidden just behind that park, in case you really need to grab anything else.

Belegnole · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 86 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin

James you should sticky this....well done

oh yes when you sticky it you can delete my post as well
_________________
No matter where you go, there you are....

8sacred8 · Joined: 03 Mar 2009 Posts: 1

doh!
i just sent you an email looking for good trails
to skate in Seattle and then promptly stumbled
over this monster... Wink

thanks for bein' awesome as usual, James.
-jake mote

edp_swakakin · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 189

JP REALLY awesome. Well done!

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

Thanks guys. I had a fun time detailing this, and plan to do more as the trail evolves. I just made some updates and fixed some broken links.

The most important NEW note is that the 12-mile Tracy Owen park now has a brand new restroom and water fountain facility, so even if Motion Boardshop is not open (on Sundays their hours are only 12-4) we still have a good water source at the mid-way point in the case of an ultraskate-type thing.

Also, the portable restrooms out at the end-point at Marymoor appear to be fully maintained now, which can be a huge relief. I think the city just takes them down over the winter months.

Another important note is that a huge and much-needed renovation to the Lake Forest Park area (stalled for years by LFP resident anti-eco ass-hats) is going to take place this fall, so there will be some elaborate detours necessary. I'm not going to try keeping up with every change like this, unless we're planning an event at the same time. Anyway here's the details I know so far...

http://www.kingcounty.gov/operati...ip/projects/burkegilmantrail.aspx

Oct. 2009 Begin Construction
May 2010 Complete Construction

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

Good thing I didn't keep the June 18th Ultraskate plan! This is all scheduled to be done by this Friday -- it will greatly improve a nasty part of the trail.

=====

SDOT Traffic Advisory

For Immediate Release: June 15, 2009

Contact: Marybeth Turner, 206.684.8548

Work on Burke-Gilman Trail Starts Today, North of the U of W

SEATTLE- SDOT paving crews will begin work today on the Burke-Gilman Trail north of the University of Washington, from 36th Avenue NE to NE 50th Street, and plan to complete the work by 3 p.m. on Friday, June 19.
They will close the Burke-Gilman Trail from 37th Avenue NE to NE 50th Street, 24-hours a day. A detour will be provided on 39th Avenue NE, which will be closed to motor vehicles except for drivers headed for destinations within that area.

The crews will remove and replace areas of the trail damaged by tree roots.

Advance notice was not provided for this work due to an unscheduled rush job that preceded this project. Because of the high level of interest in repairing the trail, SDOT is choosing not to delay the work.

The Seattle Department of Transportation builds, maintains and operates Seattle's $12 billion transportation infrastructure. To further Mayor Nickels’ goal to get Seattle moving, the department manages short- and long-term investments in streets, bridges, pavement and trees, that better connect the city with the
region.

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 418 Location: Seattle, WA

Im not sure whether to post this in the ultraskate thread or this one so feel free to delete but ...

The area just before little mamma (heading gasworks to marymoore) right where you have to cross the street to the left is all torn up and the pavement is grooved. be extra cautious in this area although i didnt have too much trouble on bigzigs.

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

This is a good place for trail status updates, thanks Dave!

Here's another gem. What do you get when you add fresh asphalt repair, and a couple impatient bikers?

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 418 Location: Seattle, WA

got my KP stuck in that on the way back last night, was so much fun. An old man and i played chicken over who would get the nice part of the asphalt there (even though he was on a dirt bike and could have easily used the side of the trail). Well, i guess he won 'cuz i went over the rut and it caught my bennett. I was fine, landed on my feet, good times.

Also, this may be the same area you mentioned 2 posts ago but there is a large section of the trail that is completely torn out between ti-cycle and where the path splits (sorry thats the best explaination i could come up with). The detour is challenging to say the least. I skated past the road closed signs on my way out and walked across the portion that was dirt. On the way back i tried the detour and its really rough and lots of big cracks. Its steep enough to get some speed too so the cracks come at you fast. I really hope this is fixed by the ultra.

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

Thats the gnarly detour and according to the SDOT posted above its supposed to be done this Friday June 19th.