One walk a day - Cleaning up the Cross-Kirkland Corridor

A few months ago, my wife mentioned that there was a new trail in Kirkland, where they were removing the disused train tracks.  There's been a lot of that around this area in recent memory - the Sammamish River trail and the Burke Gilman were both railroad beds originally.

The Cross Kirkland Corridor (http://www.kirklandwa.gov/Community/Cross_Kirkland_Corridor.htm) is in early stages, but already the rails are gone, and a thick layer of crushed quarry rock makes a rough but workable walking surface.  

My wife and I have made it a summer project to walk the length of the trail in short increments and to help remediate the garbage along the way.  I'm happy to report that the Adopt-A-Trail program is fully subscribed (http://www.kirklandwa.gov/Community/Cross_Kirkland_Corridor/Get_Involved.htm).  We aren't part of that program - we're just interlopers, bringing a bag and gathering trash as we walk.

Thus far, we've traveled from the North end of the trail in Totem Lake down to the Everest neighborhood, almost two thirds of the total trail length.  

Heading North to South, the trail starts in an industrial area, passing by Totem Lake and behind warehouses.  This end of the trail is/was thick with garbage, and we filled bags quickly.

Garbage and recyling at the North end of the trail

Once past the 116th street freeway onramp, the trail becomes more suburban, and there are some lovely stretches bounded by blackberry and horsetail.  

The area adjacent to Crestwoods park in particular is really nice and a great area for birdwatching.  A runoff stream runs alongside the trail for most of its length.

We're enjoying the walks, the scenery, and it feels good to collect trash as a family.  It's bringing us together and making us feel like we can make a difference.  

Enjoy your summer, friends - we are.