Joy Run: Grand Ridge

Into the woods we go!

This was not your average, epic, climb-a-mountain destination run. In fact, it was the opposite. I enjoyed driving out to the hills with no intention of strangling my quads. This time of year is perfect for restful runs and excuses of all kind. Whenever I set out to explore a new trail the ultimate goal is just to enjoy a new surrounding and enjoy a (hopefully) empty trail.

I had not heard of Grand Ridge until I saw it on the race list for Evergreen Trail Runs. Through out high school I ran the trails of Tiger Mountain, adjacent to Grand Ridge, but never gave a thought to veering off my habit of running the same trails.

On this particular day I really could not have cared less where I was running, I just wanted to get out of the city and find some peace in the hills. So I set out by myself and drove into the Issaquah Highlands for a little forest jog. This trail is only 7 miles in total distance (one way) and has a measly ~1100 ft total of elevation gain. It was perfect for a solo venture not far from Seattle. I parked my car in Central Park, which was a little deceiving at first because the "trail" is a concrete path skirting a line of cookie-cutter houses. Less than half a mile down there is a pond that marks the entry to the actual trail. If I hadn't known there was a trail race here I would have turned around thinking some wannabe trail runner called the beginnings of the path a trail.

The Washington Trails Association built a bridge in 2011. When I was reading about this trail online I feel like ALL I could find was the "WTA Bridge." I realized the two were associated so I became intrigued. The WTA website writes that it is "the highlight" of the trail. It's marked loud and clear on the trail map too so I highly anticipated the bridge on the run. Honestly, it was just a bridge... in the forest. There are lots of them on maintained trails in Washington. Yay for one more!

I'll be keeping this trail in mind when I head out for a run on Tiger Mountain and need to add on some extra "fluff" miles.

Grand Ridge: Exit 18 from I-90. Park at "Central Park"
Distance: 14 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1100 ft