Yes, there is a state to the north of Oregon that is also in the "Pacific Northwest." And yes, this blog hasn't featured any walks in this state - but that is about to change. For our first walk in Washington we go to an area that lives up to the state nickname, the "Evergreen State." Kirkland is on the east shore of Lake Washington, about 15 miles northeast of Seattle, and Juanita Bay is an especially scenic area of Kirkland, located north of the city's downtown. This walk includes interesting natural areas, a brand new urban neighborhood, a stroll on a walkway out onto the waters of Lake Washington, and beautiful views of the lake and surrounding terrain. There is even a glimpse of downtown Seattle's skyscrapers on a clear day. The walk is 3.8 miles long and includes one steep hill, but the views and sights from the top are worth every step.
This walk starts at the corner of 97th Avenue NE and Juanita Bay Drive. Look for this modest restaurant, Spud Fish and Chips, which has been a local fixture since 1969. The namesake fare is reportedly very good.
From Spud, cross Juanita Drive to the south side of the street and head to the left. You will walk by the land side of a condo development and an office building that both front on Lake Washington. At the corner of Juanita and 98th Avenue NE is a Michael's Craft store. Turn right at the intersection. Soon, the heavily trafficked street veers to the left and straight ahead is the "old road," now a pathway along Lake Washington. Go straight onto the pathway.
The pathway was, until the 1970's a roadway for motor vehicles known as the Juanita Bay Bridge. It was replaced by the new roadway veering inland. The bridge provides views of wetland areas on both sides. Before 1916 these wetlands were under water - in 1916 the Montlake Cut, providing a water connection between the other side of Lake Washington and Lake Union to the west in Seattle was opened, and Lake Washington's water level was lowered by nine feet. Pass underneath this archway and continue back onto dry land.
Where the walkway is reunited with its replacement road take the trail to the right into Juanita Bay Park. From 1932 to 1975 this park was a nine-hole golf course. Follow the trail into the park and then take one or both of the pathways to the right, which head back toward the bay. Both pathways turn into wood bridges which cross over wetlands to viewing points of Juanita Bay.
The viewing platforms provide views of Juanita Bay and the landscape to the north, but also provide excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife in the park. Among the species on display are painted turtles, sunning themselves on exposed logs.
After taking in the scenery, retrace your steps back through the park and then back across the old Juanita Bridge roadway. On a clear day the views to the west include the tops of skyscrapers in downtown Seattle. You can also see remnants of piers used by Lake Washington ferries in the early 20th century among the lily pads.
Continue along the old roadway to Juanita Drive, where you will cross the street at the signalized intersection. On the other side of the street is the entrance to Juanita Village. This 11.5 acre mixed use development was begun in 2002, replacing an old strip commercial center on the site. After recent construction activity it is now fully built out with apartments and a variety of shops and restaurants on the ground floor of all the buildings.
Continue north 98th Ave. NE past a new Walgreens on your left. At 117th Lane turn left, and you will be walking between two commercial buildings with head-in parking along the street. After one block, at the end of this lane, turn right and proceed on a lane into the heart of Juanita Village. At the end of this lane turn left, and then exit Juanita Village by taking a right onto 97th Avenue NE. The entire site contains 580 apartments and 56,000 square feet of retail space, along with outdoor seating areas and attractive landscaping. Parking is generally underneath the buildings, and, as should be to no one's surprise in a suburban location, has
become a problem for employees and visitors. It will take a lot longer than a few years for people to start regularly visiting or commuting to places like Juanita Village by public transit.
Proceed north on 97th Avenue NE to NE 120th St., and then take a left turn. NE 120th Street is flanked on both sides by houses and the Corbella at Juanita Bay apartment complex. It has no sidewalks and has no good place to walk along the side of the road in several places, so walk carefully along this stretch of road. Fortunately there isn't much traffic.
Eventually you will cross 93rd Avenue NE and NE 120th Street will proceed up a steep hill. While there are no sidewalks on this portion of the roadway either, traffic drops to very low levels, and the cars are going very slowly up and down the hilly road. The houses become more and more interesting as you head up the hill. At some point NE 120th becomes NE 117th St., although the roadway is continuous. This home at the intersection of NW 117th` and 90th Avenue NE has spectacular views, but definitely needs some cosmetic repairs.
As you climb up the hill you will begin to see panoramic views of Juanita Bay and Lake Washington to your right. Homes along this street are oriented to take in these views as well. Here are two newly-constructed homes along the street.
Then the road starts going back down the hill, and you will reach a switchback, which after the turn becomes NW 116th Street. You will get more panoramic views of Juanita Bay and Lake Washington as you descend the hill. Eventually NW 116th St. empties onto busy Juanita Drive. Continue left on Juanita back to toward Juanita Beach.
Cross Juanita Drive at 93rd Avenue NE, and take the trail heading into Juanita Beach Park that starts on the other side of the street. It winds through some trees and across a creek, with benches along the route.
After crossing the creek the trail empties into the main part of Juanita Beach Park. The highlight of the park is a walkway out onto Lake Washington that encloses a swimming area along the beach. Take the walkway and go out onto the lake. On a clear day you will see views to downtown Seattle along with closer views of the Lake Washington shoreline and hills. After traversing the walkway to the other side of the park you will be back at the starting point for this walk.
