Hiking The Tolt-Pipeline Trail
Normally I’d be posting my usual fare here, on topics like early retirement and investing. Instead of doing that, I decided to “take a day off” from blogging this Friday. I went hiking instead!
It’s finally summer here in the Pacific Northwest, and the weather is absolutely beautiful right now.
A blue skies and 75F degrees (24C) kind of beautiful. There was even a slight breeze to keep things cool. Perfect for hiking.
When the weather is this nice, the thought of staying indoors is practically torture.
I missed far too many nice days like this when I was working. Usually I was stuck in an office building all-day, working on a computer for people I didn’t really like. It wasn’t a lot of fun.
So this Friday, I decided to take advantage of the wonderful weather — I spent the day hiking the Tolt-Pipeline trail.
The Tolt pipeline is a water pipeline that supplies 30% of the city of Seattle’s water supply. The trail itself is an access road that’s been turned into a hiking trail. It starts up in the mountains at the Tolt River Reservoir and flows all the way into the city.
Most of the pipeline is buried, but there are several spots along the path where it’s visible.
I started out in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland (where Costco derives the name of their famous house brand). As you would expect of a pipeline trail, it makes for a very straight and easy trail.
After leaving Kirland, the trail descends into the famous Sammamish River Valley. This hill would later kick my ass on the way back.
The Sammamish River Valley is famous for wineries like Chateau Ste. Michelle. Literally hundreds of small wineries, breweries, and distilleries inhabit this river valley.
The valley is also famous for the Sammamish River Trail, a highly-trafficked walking and biking path that follows the Sammamish River. (you can see the trail to the left of the river)
My path zig-zagged through Washington’s wine country until I came to the appropriately named “Heart-attack hill”, which follows the pipeline trail “up” and out of the valley. (You probably can’t tell from the photo, but it’s steep as hell.)
Thankfully I didn’t have a heart-attack, but I was pretty winded at the top.
After making my way up that beast, the trail continued to slowly rise up into the mountains. I stopped at a nice shady spot near Bear Creek to eat my lunch.
As the trail continues, things get more and more rural. Suburbs become farms. Many homes in this area keep horses.
I stopped to talk to this horse, but he was pretty rude — when I said “Hi”, he snorted at me and trotted off the other direction. What a snob!
Along the way, wild salmonberries provided a juicy snack. They come in two colors — red and yellow. Each has a slightly different flavor.
And so the trail continues up into the mountains. After a full day of hiking, I was hot and tired. Eventually, I had to turn around to head home.
I hope you don’t mind me taking a break from my usual blogging duties to bring you this little “slice of life” from the Pacific Northwest.
I happen to think this is why financial independence is so awesome — rather than being stuck in a building on this beautiful day, I can spend the entire day doing what I want. Being outside, enjoying nature, and getting some exercise.
Think back to the last time you did that. Didn’t it feel pretty awesome?
Looks like a nice hike, and having some berries to hunt on the way always makes it more fun!
I’ve been slowing down on the blogging too, it’s just too nice outside this time of year 🙂
Beautiful scenery! 75 degree weather is definitely beautiful. It’s been super hot in DC (high 80s and 90s), so I’ve been staying at home enjoying the AC while looking out at the sunny weather. I think Mr. FAF and I will take a trip to a national park soon thought. It’s a bit stuffy staying at home all the time.
This looks gorgeous! What a great adventure 🙂
We have been trying to spend as much time outside in the nice summer weather as possible… even if it just means grabbing our plates and eating dinner in our yard instead of at the table. The outdoors is key to unwinding and relaxing after a day at work or a busy week.
Great post. The working class needs motivation to keep saving from time to time.
Also, I am human or cephalopod.
It’s great to take a break and get outdoors, even when you might have a pile of work you might want to be doing. Glad you got to enjoy it and thank you for sharing your pics and Costco knowledge with us!
Tomorrow, I’m planning to take a bike ride on a great path that just happens to take me to a brewery after 18 miles. I think a 36-mile round trip might make it the longest bike ride I’ve ever embarked upon. Yes, I know that’s weak.
Cheers!
-PoF
I’m pretty weak myself — I probably hiked only 20 miles on Friday, and I’m pretty dang sore today! 🙂
Oh dear lord, it’s obscene that the weather is 75 degrees where you are!!!! I am so jealous! And wow, the scenery is just gorgeous. 🙂 What a great way to have fun, get exercise, and not spend money!
You probably won’t believe me, but we have absolutely no facility to create cool air in the house. No AC whatsoever here.
Hiking is our family’s favorite pastime. It is fun, refreshing, and we all get a great workout. Best of all, it is free. Even my four-year old can hike quite a few miles with gain of a few hundred feet in elevation.
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Nice hike! We haven’t gone much this year. I’d like to go to the lava tube at St. Helen this summer. That should be a lot of fun for the family. Been a bit lazy this year and mostly hung out at the pool. 🙂
I’ve got to say this looks freakin incredible man! Especially jealous you don’t have to deal with the humidity we have in Florida right now. Although those breweries would probably get me out there anyway haha
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This reminds me of the trail we hiked in Boquete, Panama also called “the pipeline trail”. Oddly enough, there’s also a section near it that’s steep as hell that gives you heart attacks.
Looks like an awesome way to spend the day!
Beautiful and serene scenery Mr. Tako! It’s been over a year since my last hike. I should get out more often…
Stumbled on this post trying to google the grade of “heartattack hill” and interesting to see some FIRE folks in the comments!! Will have to poke around to see what else you post!
(I live right off the Tolt, up from the Bear Creek stop you made!)