Reflective reading:
"Let the wise man work unselfishly for the good of all the world" [BG 3:25] -- "The victory won by the man of wisdom is also won by the man of good work" [BG 5:5] -- "They all attain perfection when they find joy in their work. A man attains perfection when his work is a worship of God" [BG 18:45-46] -- Bhagavad Gita
"People are like religions...there is good in all, but none are perfect" -- "We are but the product of our thoughts; what we think, we become" -- (corollary #1: we become what we consume) -- (corollary #2: we become what we read) -- (corollary #3: we become what we worship) -- "The positive change we desire in others will happen in proportion to the positive change we affect within ourselves" -- Gandhi
The number FOUR (4) signifies the Hindu belief that there are four paths to Brahman: Bhakata (love), Karma (work), Raja (meditation) and Jnana (knowledge).
"Let the wise man work unselfishly for the good of all the world" [BG 3:25] -- "The victory won by the man of wisdom is also won by the man of good work" [BG 5:5] -- "They all attain perfection when they find joy in their work. A man attains perfection when his work is a worship of God" [BG 18:45-46] -- Bhagavad Gita
"People are like religions...there is good in all, but none are perfect" -- "We are but the product of our thoughts; what we think, we become" -- (corollary #1: we become what we consume) -- (corollary #2: we become what we read) -- (corollary #3: we become what we worship) -- "The positive change we desire in others will happen in proportion to the positive change we affect within ourselves" -- Gandhi
The number FOUR (4) signifies the Hindu belief that there are four paths to Brahman: Bhakata (love), Karma (work), Raja (meditation) and Jnana (knowledge).
Trail overview: Paved, mostly level trail along the Cedar River through the city of Renton and forested areas.
Trail highlights: The Cedar River provides habitat for Coho, Chinook and Sockeye salmon. The river used to flow into the Black River, then into the Duwamish River and finally into Puget Sound. When the Ballard Locks were opened, and the Montlake Cut and ship canal dug, the level of Lake Washington dropped nine feet, changing the course of the Cedar River so that it now empties directly into Lake Washington and then out into Puget Sound through the locks and fish ladder at Ballard. This was an effective flood control measure for Renton, but severely disturbed the migration pattern of the salmon, so new salmon stocks had to be introduced.
Boeing's facility in Renton assembles the Boeing 737, the best selling jet (10,000+) of all time. Public access is not allowed (the Everett facility does give public tours however), but on this trail you get close-up views of the airplanes and a world tour of airline paint jobs. The first takeoff these aircraft make is from Renton Municipal Airport, which has a runway length of about 5,400'; substantially less than this size airplane normally requires. If you happen to be fortunate enough to witness one of these takeoffs, it is quite a sight (and sound)!
Trail highlights: The Cedar River provides habitat for Coho, Chinook and Sockeye salmon. The river used to flow into the Black River, then into the Duwamish River and finally into Puget Sound. When the Ballard Locks were opened, and the Montlake Cut and ship canal dug, the level of Lake Washington dropped nine feet, changing the course of the Cedar River so that it now empties directly into Lake Washington and then out into Puget Sound through the locks and fish ladder at Ballard. This was an effective flood control measure for Renton, but severely disturbed the migration pattern of the salmon, so new salmon stocks had to be introduced.
Boeing's facility in Renton assembles the Boeing 737, the best selling jet (10,000+) of all time. Public access is not allowed (the Everett facility does give public tours however), but on this trail you get close-up views of the airplanes and a world tour of airline paint jobs. The first takeoff these aircraft make is from Renton Municipal Airport, which has a runway length of about 5,400'; substantially less than this size airplane normally requires. If you happen to be fortunate enough to witness one of these takeoffs, it is quite a sight (and sound)!
Trailhead location: Carco Theater parking lot @ 1717 Maple Valley Highway, Renton, WA
Trail description: The hike begins behind the Carco Theater along the Cedar River. Bathrooms and water are available at the adjacent community center. Follow the paved trail, cross under I-405 along Cedar River Park Drive (do not cross the pedestrian bridge across the river; we will do that later), cross Houser Way and continue along the river (still on your left) through Liberty Park. Just past the library, walk down the ramp to the river trail. You will pass the Renton Senior Activity Center (on right), Memorial Stadium (on right), Renton Airport (on left) and the Boeing 737 factory (on right). Continue all the way down to where the Cedar River empties into the lake. Renton Rowing Center (WC + W) has benches with panoramic views of Lake Washington, Mercer Island and the skylines of Seattle and Bellevue in the distance.
After a rest, retrace your steps (now heading upstream, with the river on your right), but this time cross the river at the pedestrian bridge underneath I-405. Now with the river on your left, continue upstream, past the large dog park (on your right); you will see large strands of blackberries, ferns and the trees that give Maple Valley Highway (across the river on your left) its name. Just past Riverview Park (WC+W) you will see a truss bridge, used by the railroad in past years. Once on the bridge, stop and enjoy views of the Cedar River with perhaps a glimpse of salmon heading upstream (August - November) and then turnaround and head back downstream along the same path. Walk past the dog park, cross the river again using the same pedestrian bridge and return to the Carco Theater parking lot.
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| Lake Washington panorama |
After a rest, retrace your steps (now heading upstream, with the river on your right), but this time cross the river at the pedestrian bridge underneath I-405. Now with the river on your left, continue upstream, past the large dog park (on your right); you will see large strands of blackberries, ferns and the trees that give Maple Valley Highway (across the river on your left) its name. Just past Riverview Park (WC+W) you will see a truss bridge, used by the railroad in past years. Once on the bridge, stop and enjoy views of the Cedar River with perhaps a glimpse of salmon heading upstream (August - November) and then turnaround and head back downstream along the same path. Walk past the dog park, cross the river again using the same pedestrian bridge and return to the Carco Theater parking lot.
Public transit options: Bus #153 stops at Houser Way S & Mill Ave. (.5 mile away from trailhead)