This is the fourth hike in a multi-part series which forms a circle around the northern part of lake Washington between highway 520 and Kenmore, over the course of several months.
Today, we cover the remainder of northeast section of the route, between St. Edwards State Park and Juanita Beach Park, in Kirkland. We begin the hike at the bus stop where we ended part 3, at the corner of Juanita Drive and 153rd Place. This bus stop is served by route 225, from Kenmore and Totem Lake (transportation details below). Upon arrival, we will walk the St. Edwards State Park trails, connecting to Big Finn Hill Park, neighborhood Streets, and more trails, eventually reaching O.O. Denny Park, which has picnic tables, restrooms, and a lake view, which will be our lunch stop. After lunch, we'll head up the hill into Juanita Heights Park, then down the hill on the other side into Juanita Beach, with another lake view to finish the hike.
As the hike contains many trails which do not appear on Google Maps, I cannot provide a useful map Link, however, the total distance should be around 8 miles, with multiple ups and downs, with a few steep sections and staircases, so should be a good workout.
Transportation:
This version of the event is for folks coming from the Seattle side, as the best bus access to the starting point is very different from Seattle versus from the Eastside. Note that folks who are driving may want to join the Eastside event even if driving from Seattle, as there is parking at their starting point.
We will meet at the Roosevelt Station bay 3 bus stop, which is on 12th Ave NE just north of NE 66th St, on the northbound side of the street, at 9:35 AM and catch the #522 bus that departs at 9:41am. If you are getting to Roosevelt Station via Link, exit from the north door -- the bus stop will be directly across 12th NE. We'll get off the #522 at 68th Ave NE in Kenmore at 10:02am, walk back to the intersection, cross to the west side of 68th, and walk a short distance south to the southbound bus stop, where we'll catch the #225 at 10:11am. This will take us to NE 153rd Pl & Juanita Dr NE, which is where our hike will start.
A separate group from the Eastside will arrive a few minutes earlier, taking the #225 bus in the opposite direction. To join the Eastside group, sign up here:
https://www.meetup.com/seattle-transit-hikers/events/313052574/
From the end point of our hike in Juanita, we can take bus #255 (not #225) back to Seattle / University District, and folks can head home from there, or take Link to go back to Roosevelt Station. #255 buses depart every 15 minutes.
