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Olmsted Urban Loop: Section 3

I had a lovely hike and discovered all kinds of interesting history, saw beautiful flowers, and heard beautiful bird song on the section 3 Olmstead Trail!

Placeholder Contact Profile Cindy Arasim
May 02, 2026
  • Sat, Mar 28, 2026
  • Urban Adventure
  • Successful
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

  • the part of this trek that takes you over Foster Island and the other island was a bit muddy to start! If you go during the weather season, you might want to bring some ankle height rubber boots to keep your feet dry. You could probably find a way to step around, but it will get harder if there’s been a lot of rain. I packed some extra shoes and that was helpful! If you don’t want to do this, I recommend going in the dryer months!

Section 3 Olmstead 70: 10:08 am!!  This morning was a little more difficult to get going. The initial bus I tried to catch never came! This gave me enough time to heat up my coffee a little more!

31 to

11:06 start!!

  1. I was celebrating the cut until I learned, on a lovely plaque near the story of North Island totem pole, that the canal and the lakes original outlet was through the black river to the Duwamish. This is actually pretty sad. I wonder… at the expense of what? Which people‘s livelihood? Which wildlife? Which nature? We all know the Duwamish is in pretty bad shape. I wonder what part the construction of this cut played in that?
  2. I managed to sit down on one of the benches and take a picture. It was pretty tough to do so, but I enjoy a good challenge! There are definitely places along this route that are covered in water. Really glad I brought my ankle height rain boots for this part!
  3. A very nice couple I ran into on Foster island recommended I check out Wood ducks whenever I get a chance. You can sometimes find them on foster Island, but another great place to find them is the Bellevue botanical gardens, near the bridge where the Japanese garden is. Apparently, wood ducks are da bomb! PS: I really have to pee.
  4. HOORAY!!!  Arboretum Center Toilets!!!!
  5. Wow… Highly recommend doing section 3 in March! It’s March 28, and this is the perfect day! There are so many beautiful blossoms along Azalea Way!! Lots and lots of people stopping to take pictures!
  6. On page ??? the instructions are unclear. There is a bullet that says “promptly turn right, or west, and look for a paved lower loop trail.” This was really hard to figure out, as I’m not sure what a “wiggle” is? The spot I was standing in did not appear to have a lower anything. I’m not sure where the pedestrian foot bridge is, and walked all the way up to the Japanese garden admission booth to ask for directions to the pedestrian bridge that crosses over Eastlake Washington Boulevard.  I’m getting some extra steps in, which isn’t terrible, but the instructions in this part could be clearer. Perhaps letting people know once you get to E. Lake Washington Blvd. you should turn right or heading north. At least, that’s what I think I’m supposed to be doing? I admit I could’ve gone with a guide, but my schedule doesn’t often permit easy planning in this way. When I hear lower loop, I think about elevation not north south east or west. A very easy instruction could’ve been “at the end of Azalea Way head right over a small bridge and turn right onto paved Trail. You will see a solid yellow line in the middle of this paved trail. The solid yellow line will confirm you’re on the right track!”
  7. The pedestrian bridge I thought the information sheet was referring to with the Wilcox bridge. Is this not the case? I’m glad I crossed it, I was able to reclaim a bit of my history. My ex-husband and I took some fantastic wedding photos on the Wilcox Bridge! it was pretty awesome having the ability to again cross the bridge at a different point in my life. Amazing how far you can travel in more than a decade of life. I would say, I am in a much better place, and I definitely had a reason to jump up and kick my heels this time (our wedding lose on the bridge)!
  8. I’m really enjoying the Pineteum.  It’s quite peaceful in here, lots of sweet bird song!
  9. I think the Olmsted water tower feature is probably one of my favorite lesser known perks about this city. I’ve lived here in my whole life and didn’t even know you could ascend 107 steps to see some nice views and also to read the rich Olmsted Park history! I would like to come back and spend some time reading about the parks. I’m really enjoying the crafty crows in this park! Also enjoying the Chloe Bass soft services art installation. I have taken a moment to sit and contemplate on a couple of the benches! I managed to get a picture of a mom and daddy mallard duck, a squirrel and a crow all in one shot! How often does that happen?? Only in volunteer Park, perhaps?
  10. Interlaken Park trail back was far more peaceful than the paved road up.  Saw some beautiful yellow lily-like blooms along the way!
  11. ~4:35 completion!!  Taking the 11 back downtown, then the 24 or 33 home!  26,206 steps!!!