Heron Watch & Lighthouse Loop Adventure

Join us for a relaxed and refreshing Saturday morning that blends wildlife, community and a scenic coastal hike. This event is cross posted across groups.

We’ll start the day at the Ballard Locks at 10:15 AM for a special bird watching event hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This is a great opportunity to experience urban nature up close. Local groups and naturalists will be there sharing insights about the heron colony and spotting scopes will be set up so we can get a clear view. If we’re lucky, we may even catch a glimpse of newly hatched chicks. The event is free and open to everyone, and we’ll spend about 1–2 hours enjoying the atmosphere and learning more about the birds.
Getting there is simple - Bus 44 stops right by the Ballard Locks.

Afterward, we’ll take a short 15-minute walk (about half a mile) to the north parking lot of Discovery Park and begin our hike. We’ll be doing the Lighthouse Loop, a 4.4-mile trail with about 469 feet of elevation gain. The pace will be comfortable and social and we’ll take time to enjoy the views along the way.
Discovery Park offers a rare escape within the city - open meadows, forested paths, dramatic sea cliffs, and sweeping views of Puget Sound, with the Cascades and Olympics in the distance. We’ll pass by the iconic lighthouse and likely find a nice spot to pause for lunch, so feel free to bring something to eat.
The hike typically takes about 1–2 hours, depending on the group’s pace and how often we stop to take it all in. There are also side trails for anyone who prefers to adjust distance along the way.

After the hike, we can decide as a group whether to grab food nearby or wrap up for the day.
This is meant to be a friendly, easygoing outing - perfect if you enjoy nature, light hiking and meeting new people.