Botanical Gardens, Kelsey Creek, Pipeline Trail, Wilburton Trestle, and more

This hike was suggested by Erin and Angel -- thanks! Let's visit south Bellevue Parks and trails near Bellevue Botanical Gardens, with the goal of sampling all the nearby parks and trails, but being sure to get in the less-known and unusual ones. Plus, let's visit the Wilburton Trestle, which is currently being retrofitted as part of the Eastrail, with expected opening in 2027.

We'll meet at the entrance to the parking lot at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens, loop down through the gardens, over to Wilburton Park, then through the Kelsey Creek Farm, and then the Powerline trail.

This will take us to Skyridge Park, and the trailhead for the little-known Richards Creek Open Space trails.

We'll make our way through Bannerwood Ballfield and across Richards Rd (no, I won't make you run across traffic, as we did on our first visit :D ) to the (also little known) McTavish-Woodridge Open Space trails. From the north end of those trails, we'll head for the Wilburton Trestle. Construction work has started -- let's see if we can get a look at how the wooden trestle is being made structurally sound, without altering the classic appearance.

I have to mention the King Conservation District at this point. They have an information kiosk (that we'll take a look at) about how folks can help maintain local waterways and salmon runs.

Then we'll head back into Bellevue Botanical Gardens and return to our start.

Logistics:

For folks celebrating Ramadan -- this is intended to fit between sunrise and sunset (5:54pm). Just in case, I'll be bringing dates.

If you're not fasting, bring water, lunch, snacks -- we'll stop briefly at whatever park we're closest to at lunch time.

Meet at the entrance to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens parking lot, on Main St, at 10:30am.

This is mostly on trails, but non-technical, so hiking footwear is appropriate. The Powerline trail does not care about elevation changes, so some bits are steep and downhill. Trekking poles may be useful for those bits. The Richards Creek trails can be rather squishy in places. This is about 6.5 miles.

Pets aren't allowed in Bellevue Botanical Gardens, or in the barn area at Kelsey Creek Farm, so if you are bringing your pup, you'll need to navigate around those areas.

Google Maps does not have most of the trails, but OpenStreetMap does. There should be cell access, so you can use the website, https://www.openstreetmap.org , or install the OSMAnd app, and download the Washington state map.

Eric and Angel are planning to go to Zhangliang Malatang restaurant afterwards. Malatang is like hot pot, but everyone picks their own ingredients separately. A walk to the restaurant adds 2.5 mi on streets, but there are transit options that reduce the walk.

Bus riders: The two bus lines that come somewhat near Bellevue Botanical Gardens are the #271 and B Line. If taking #271, get off at 116th Ave SE & SE 1st St, walk up SE 1st St, turn right on Main, continue to the parking lot entrance (about 0.4 mi). If taking B Line, get off at NE 8th St & 124th Ave NE, walk south on 124th, turn right on Main (about 0.8 mi). If traveling southbound on the #271 (e.g. from the U District via Bellevue TC), take the run that arrives at 116th & 1st at 9:52am; if northbound (e.g. from Eastgate or Issaquah), 10:13am. If traveling eastbound on B Line (e.g. from downtown Bellevue), take the run that arrives at 8th & 124th at 10:03am, for westbound, 10:10am. Or let your trip planning app figure it out. ;-)

Drivers & cyclists: The parking lot is south of Main St, between 118th Ave SE and 124th Ave NE. Yes, really -- Main St is the dividing line between SE and NE.

Note Eric can't post the next "Around the Lake" hike yet, as an important segment is closed for construction.

Use comments (not direct messages) to coordinate, so everyone can see and respond.