This is the second article in a new series that highlights some great family-friendly hikes around Seattle’s Eastside. All are free, have some sort of restroom facility, and have something interesting for kids. Many of these even have stroller and wheelchair options. Because toddlers will walk about 1-2 miles per hour, preschoolers will walk 2 to 3 miles per hour, and school kids will walk about 3 miles per hour, if a child has the endurance to play on a playground for a half an hour, they are ready for their first mile hike!
Up this week - PART 2 in the series, covering 3 natural areas in North Bend, Carnation and Mercer Island. Also be sure to check out last week's PART 1 - 3 Easy Hikes in Redmond.
#4 Rattlesnake Lake – North Bend, WA
Difficulty: Very easy. It is .75 miles between the boat launch and the Cedar River Watershed Education Center, or 1.5 miles roundtrip. To scale it down, just explore one area.
Fees: None. Totally free!
Address: 19901 Cedar Falls Road SE, North Bend, WA 98045
Restrooms: Yes. Check trail map for locations.
Stroller / wheelchair options: Yes
Why you want to go: The Cedar River Watershed Environmental Center is a destination itself. Kids will love sending ping pong balls from wall to wall with vacuum tubes (like tubes at a bank drive-through.) The trail between the Environmental Center is paved and passes by the little Cedar Falls waterfall. Just below the paved path is a beach full of driftwood, stumps for climbing, and rocks for throwing in the lake. Unlike most hikes along I-90, Rattlesnake Lake does not require any parking permit so this incredible adventure is totally free.
Getting there: Just one exit east of the North Bend outlet mall, Rattlesnake Lake is so far yet so near and is perfect for a quick getaway. When entering the Rattlesnake Lake recreation area, parking for hikers heading up Rattlesnake Ledge is immediately on the right. Stay on the main road and drive down the length of the lake to the Environmental Center parking lot. If that lot happens to be full, continue down a little further to the overflow lot. If that happens to be full, too, head back to the boat launch area to find parking. It will be a .75 mile walk from the boat launch to the Environmental Center, which will only take about 20 minutes. Point out the impressive Rattlesnake Ledge across the lake and let kids know that they will be able to hike up there someday, too!
#5 Chinook Bend Natural Area – Carnation, WA
Difficulty: Very easy. It is about a 5 minute walk from the parking lot to the Snoqualmie River.
Fees: None. Totally free!
Address: There isn't an official address for the Chinook Bend Nature Area. The closest intersection for GPS is 310 Ave NE & NE Carnation Farm Road, Carnation, WA 98014: http://binged.it/15JX8xV. The parking lot with blue sign is just across the Snoqualmie River from that intersection.
Trail map: There is no real trail map. However, there’s no real way to get lost, either. Follow the worn path down to the river or mowed paths through the woods. Throw rocks in the river or play on the driftwood left behind after the floods.
Restrooms: There is a vault toilet facility in the parking lot. Bring TP (just in case) and hand sanitizer.
Stroller / wheelchair options: No
Why you want to go: This is an easy path to the Snoqualmie River. The beach is relatively flat compared to some other local beaches so it’s a safe area to explore while experiencing a change of scenery. Veer left (north) at the river and continue along the trail to a longer, flatter rocky beach with calm water. You have to detour a bit down the slope to get around a log jam left by last autumn's floods, but it is easy for most to navigate. Dogs love this park too, although it’s important to keep them on leashes at all times. {Editor’s Note: This is one of my favorite local spots! See why in my trip report}
Getting there: From 203 in Carnation, take the Carnation Farm Road across the Snoqualmie River. After 1/4 mile, look for the parking lot on the north side of the street. Make sure to bring rain boots, even on a sunny day, so that feet stay dry in the mud and on the beach.
#6 Mercer Slough East (Environmental Center & Bellefields Trailhead) - Bellevue, WA
Addresses: Bellefields Trailhead: 2101 118th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA. Mercer Slough Environmental Center: 1625 118th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA
Restrooms: There are restrooms at the Bellefields Trailhead. There are restrooms with a diaper changing station at the Mercer Slough Environmental Center.
Stroller / wheelchair options: No
Why you want to go: The Mercer Slough has a tree house perched above a tiny .1 mile walking path. Kids may not spend a lot of time here, but they will have so much fun. The Bellefields Trail is a fantastic first hike in the woods. After descending a small hill to a path by a bubbling stream, the .34 mile trail is flat. It can be marshy so wear rain boots even on sunny days. The sporadic boardwalks, abundance of plants, and occasional informational signs will keep things interesting. When a boardwalk path appears pointing to the blueberry farm, take it. In a few minutes, the trail will cross over the scenic Mercer Slough bridge. Take some photos then return back to the path to the eastern loop.
Getting there: The parking lot for the Mercer Slough Environmental Center is just north of the facility. The trailhead for the Bellefields Trail is just south of the Bellefields Trail parking lot. The Environmental Center is just .1 mile north of the Bellefields Trail so it is an option to park at the Bellefields Trail lot, walk down the side of the road to the Environmental Center, then walk back up to the trailhead. Note that the tree house is only open during ranger hours so check the website before going.
Looking for more ideas? Find even more FAMILY-FRIENDLY HIKES HERE
Growing up in King County, Jennifer attended Western Washington University and started working at Microsoft right out of college. For over a decade, she worked on online games with Microsoft Games Studios focusing on test automation. She left the exciting world of game development in 2010 to enter the even more exciting world of being a stay at home mom. Currently, she and her son love going on local adventures and spending time outdoors year round. Vist more on her blog: http://dotsonstories.blogspot.com/
