The winter can be tough here in the Puget Sound region. You learn to adapt to the gray but the short days of winter can really challenge a spirit. We try to get out and do short walks in the Seattle region during the winter to boost the spirit and get a bit of vitamin D. I thought I might highlight some of our favorite spots to walk starting with Discovery Park.

Discovery Park is the largest park in Seattle. It is located on the bluffs in west Magnolia over looking the Puget Sound. The terrain in the park is very diverse – from expansive views across the Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains, the gravely beach of West Point, the alder forests where the trail winds to the remnants of the the Army’s Fort Lawton.

We visited recently on New Years Day and did the Loop Trail with a side trip out to South Beach and views of the lighthouse at West Point.

The day was very mild – in the upper 40’s so it was not surprising to find the South parking lot full. But it was surprising to find the overflow lot barricaded and we ended up parking on the street. We decided to do a reverse loop. We usually walk first to the bluffs and the loop around back to parking lot but for a change we reversed the walk. Everything seemed so different so it was the perfect way to start the New Years. Come along with us on our walk through Discovery Park.

Trail through the maple leaves

Overlooking North Seattle and Cascades

Sun breaking out to shadow the photographer

Sunrays on the trail

Busy day at West Point

Kayakers with Mt Rainier in the distance across the sound

Climbing back up towards the bluff

Tree trunks in the winter sun

Across the bluff meadow