My adventure to walk the Duwamish River ended at Jack Block Park. Here we are at the mouth of the river at last. It is a bittersweet moment for me. We expect a river to be beautiful and dreamy. I think my video will tell the story of how Seattle’s only River is not so magical as it was 150 years ago.
I encourage everyone to walk the trails in our city. What I learned being on the street instead of driving on the street was tremendous. One will learn history, talk to your neighbors, and find new parks and restaurants to visit.
Bicycling is another option but I have to say I was passed by many cyclist who were in nothing but a hurry to get somewhere.
It is a skill to dawdle and saunter in this day of instant everything. The phrase “Stop and smell the Roses” is more true than ever.
See you out there Seattle!! Put down your technology and look, listen and learn life.
To see all of my Duwamish Adventure I have a directory post that links all of the pieces together. You can find that post here – My Duwamish Adventure Directory
I am close to the end of my journey on the Duwamish and had decided I would attempt to get closer to the mouth of the river. I studied the maps and earth view of Jack Block Park trying to figure out how I could get past the obstructions and fencing that the Port put in place. Not really sure if I could or if trespassing onto Port T-5 was the smartest thing to do.
This weekend I went to the Park to scout out my options. The maps online just didn’t give me the true elevation of the area so I could not tell how to sneak around the water side of the point. My plan was to take pictures and then return on a low tide day.
The picture above is what the area looks like from the dock where I took great pictures of Seattle and some video of the mouth. Note the concrete block wall that holds back the bridges and towers that are on the east side of the old rail left in a man-made gully. Yes the Port does not want us in this area except to enjoy the high viewing tower. Fences and hills have been put in our way to discourage folks like me.
Second rail ramp to sound – by tower
They did give us picnic tables and a little safe beach but I wanted onto the beach closer to the river.
Picnic area at Jack Block ParkThe beach I wanted to get to.
From up on the viewing tower you can see the old piers and the mouth of the river in sight. It was so close I could taste it. My quest was nearing its end and there was the river entering Elliott Bay.
Distance view of docks
But before I could get to the beach on the other side I had to get around that cement wall and the fences that were at the end of the rail spur.
View of Elliott Bay from Tower and rail spur I had to get past
As you can see I am up high but wanted to get down on the ground. I took lots of pictures thinking I would examine them at home and make my approach another day.
However, the rogue in my took over and on my way down the path I decided to take a closer look at the only way I could see that would work. It was only a little hop over a short fence and I was on my way next to the concrete block wall.
Off trail by block wall
This looks back at the fence I climbed over and shows you how brushy it was back here. This was the best path since down on the water side was a rough rock edge that was slippery and wet from tides coming in and out. I chose sticker bushes over rock climbing.
Brier patch looking out at bay
So, I followed the wall around until I got to the area close to the rail that was fenced off.
Wiggling down the wall behind brushBehind blackberry bushes off trailAt the concrete wall corner off trailSticker bushes block the path to the point
Then I couldn’t get through the brush. It was so thick and full of blackberry bushes. If you have ever been in stickers, you know they poke and stick to your clothing. OUCH!
I decided the only way to get around was to get to the rock edge and climb around on that. So, I pushed through the brier, climbed over piles of cut down pine tree limbs and made it to the water.
Looking around point at no trespassing sign
There I was under the end of the rail spur and making it around the point.
Fencing at end of 2nd rail spur
Then I had rogue remorse. What you say? Yes I saw that big No Trespassing sign, the light towers with cameras and all this fencing. It convinced me that I would be tangling with an organization that would have me arrested. That experience on public property at the SE security gate was a mild taste of what I would encounter.
So, I turned back and went home.
But before I left the water’s edge, I took some great photos that you saw in previous posts. This was to be the closest I could get. What an exciting end to my journey.
What a difference my walking the Duwamish was to the Green River Trail journey. Our only river has been changed forever from a thing of beauty and nature to a place of industry and commerce.
The finale of this adventure is in this next post. I made a small film of the river’s end. Hope you enjoy it.
To see all of my Duwamish Adventure I have a directory post that links all of the pieces together. You can find that post here – My Duwamish Adventure Directory
This park was dedicated in 1997 after the Port of Seattle cleaned up quite a bit of pollution from the prior owners. They also developed the land south of this park into Terminal 5. Those that follow my posts will remember the trouble I got into at the SE security gate. If not here is that post and a global view of T-5. Terminal 5 Trouble & Terminal 5 from Jack Block Park
Dedication of Park in 1997
This park is surrounded by chain link fences that keep us the public out of Terminal 5 and two old rail road approaches to the water. Not sure why the port left them intact but they do make for some interesting viewing spots. They built mini pedestrian bridges and a viewing tower to allow us to view the city and water but not trespass on the old docks.
The first old dock you come to is not far from one of the parking lots. It has the best view of the rails leading to the dock and how we are built out of that area.
Imagine them loading lumber on this ramp
How about a closer look at this old ramp?
Ramp with high tide debris
And even closer so you can see the rot and deterioration. Not sure this is even a viable ramp any more.
Rail ramp showing some wearOld Rail Ramp surrounded by park
As I walked around to the area you see in the distance with green grass I got some photos looking back at the barges and this old ramp.
Looking back at rail ramp
From the park dock that was built for us to enjoy the bay views from, I took some great shots of the city and Elliott Bay.
Seattle view from Jack Block ParkThe Needle from West Seattle
At the end of my adventure here I took the road that winds through fenced areas. From that ground level side I got the next two photos of the rail that leads to the old wooden ramp. Can you imagine the old lumber mill using this to load and unload their product.
Old Rail Ramp to Bay with Crow guarding
Small viewing bridge and barge parked on old rail ramp
That company was in this spot almost 100 years and times certainly have changed for Seattle. It used to be a lumber town and now it is a hub of technology and computer science. One has to wonder if this latest boom will lead to a bust like after the Gold Rush to Alaska in the 1890s & 1900s and the 1970s when we asked the last person leaving Seattle to turn the lights out.
Getting to the river is near impossible from this park. I wondered if I could go off trail and climb my way to the mouth of the river. Check out the next post to see how I did going rogue and some views from around the viewing tower.
To see all of my Duwamish Adventure I have a directory post that links all of the pieces together. You can find that post here – My Duwamish Adventure Directory
My last two trips around the Duwamish brought me to Harbor Avenue Southwest. Two weeks ago as I walked down the avenue towards Jack Block Park the local crow murder came flying in for a landing.
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Those you who follow my crow friends with me know I carry crow food as I walk around. And of course I fed this flock some of the goodies in my bag. They swooped in and enjoyed.
This week, when I started back from the viewing platform at Jack Block Park which is on Harbor Avenue I saw a group of crows behind the fencing. I am almost jealous cause you know I wanted to get closer to the river at T-5.
Crow foraging at T-5Crow by old Rail at Jack Block Park
This is not the first time I have been to this area and I swear they know me. As soon as they saw me they came in droves to follow me around. Could I resist their fondness for me? Instead I talk to them and then throw more peanuts and bread.
Here they are posing for me after that.
Crow watching me for PeanutsChain Link fencing makes good crow hang out
The best part was this pair sitting on the light pole. First looking to the left and then to the right. They made a perfect pair of silhouette photos.
Looking to the LeftLooking to the Right
This was a sweet interlude during my quest to walk the Duwamish. Crow Stalker finds her friends and crow admirers where ever she goes… even this far from my home crows.
To see all of my Duwamish Adventure I have a directory post that links all of the pieces together. You can find that post here – My Duwamish Adventure Directory
The view of Port of Seattle Terminal 5 from the viewing tower at Jack Block Park shows how large this property is. It is empty of traffic for a remodel of the docks to accommodate larger ocean-going container ships.
Security around this facility is tight. Here is a post I did several weeks ago about the shake down they did on me at the southeast entrance. From that side of the terminal I also got some good photos of the old red cranes that are synonyms with the Port of Seattle. Terminal 5 Trouble
Everywhere I went in the Park which is owned and maintained by the Port of Seattle fencing was tight. No holes or even cracks are in them. This is unlike other areas I traversed on the Duwamish. They are on alert since the environmentalist had a serious demonstration around the Shell Oil Drill Rig Polar Pioneer that was docked here. I will let my crow helpers show you a little bit about the fencing.
T-5 Fencing and local crowsCranes and Crows
Let us talk about razor wire and fencing! The Port used it with no thought of expense.
Serious Barb Wire at T-5Northern backside of T-5 looking East towards Harbor IslandT-5 serious fencing at Jack Block Park
One thing I found interesting is how much I could see from the viewing tower of the terminal. Funny how this is feature was Port built so the public can see the city and bay. All one has to do is turn around and there is a panoramic view of their business they are trying so hard to hide. This next series of photos really gives you the lay of the land.
Looking SE at T-5 – Upgrade to Pier in progressThree offshore Tugs and support ships at T-5T-5 from Jack Block viewing tower looking SouthWest side of T-5 with W Seattle in distance.
There are three ships docked currently at Terminal 5. In my prior post you might remember seeing a photo of them.
Ships moored at T-5 on Duwamish waterway
This trip I was able to get better photos of them. They are from north to south on the dock – Ross Chouest, NANUQ and AIVIQ. The AIVIQ had some nasty business up in Alaska in 2014. The Kulluk a Shell Oil Drilling Rig was grounded after the AIVIQ lost control of it in tow. Here are a few articles about this wreak and how the Coast Guard was not happy with Shell and Edison Chouest, the owner of the AIVIQ.
NANUQ – Offshore Supply Ship at T-5AIVIQ – Offshore Supply Ship at T-5
My quest to walk the Duwamish has been full of things like T-5 where industry has control of our river. We the public benefit from the commercial use of the Duwamish but not all of the companies have been good stewards.
The Port of Seattle has done a lot of work to clean up other people’s messes. Jack Block Park sits on top of one of those areas. So, I shouldn’t be too unkind to them for wanting to beat out a buck and lease the dock temporarily for ships that are involved in drilling oil. It is a conundrum of our times. We want to use our fossil fuel cars but do not want to own up to our part in the extraction of oil.
To see all of my Duwamish Adventure I have a directory post that links all of the pieces together. You can find that post here – My Duwamish Adventure Directory
Around the corner of Harbor Avenue SW and Spokane Street SW there was a number of interesting sights to share with you.
The Alki Trail curves out of the cement bridge jungle onto a tree-lined avenue. Behind all that pretty area is a rail yard which has steel mill slag, old rail cars, a pile of gravel and what used to be a large recycling company.
You know I like to share my experiences from the past around a particular site. If you look at the red building and how it is right up against the railroad. That is where in the early 70s I went with a friend of mine from the Pike Place Market where I sold crochet bathing suits. He had heard that in the road bed was some sort of crystal or rock he wanted to make jewelry out of. There was no fence then and we just went behind the buildings and started digging around in the dirt. Chain link fences now surround all of this area and there is no free style digging these days.
Rail Yard near Harbor Avenue
Railroad cars between T-5 and Harbor Avenue
Piles of dirt and old scrap yard
Is this a slag yard from steel mill?
To the north of that intersection I got some views of the river mouth and Seattle. Times have changed at this intersection too. We used to drive from behind the Chelan Café to come out at Harbor Avenue. It was a bit of risky drive since right before you got to the intersection you had to pass through an old lumber mill with railroads and overhead conveyors.
This is now the Superfund site called Pacific Sound Resources or formerly the Wyckoff West Seattle Wood Treatment Plant that dated back to 1909. From the clean up the Port has created its Terminal 5 and for us a park called Jack Block. The intersection was a busy place when cruising in our cars was hot. The small store was always busy and a boat dealer made a living there for years too. That has all passed now and most have forgotten that you could cut through what now looks like a driveway.
US Coast Guard ship
City view from west side of Duwamish mouth
From that area near the entrance to Jack Block Park I turned around and went back the way I had come. Along this corridor that most people think is pretty and use for exercise both biking and running I found more homelessness.
Clothing along trailHomeless RV’s on Harbor AvenueHomeless park across from King Co Water Bldg
See the building behind the RV? That is King County Waste Water. They had some really good art on it.
Art on King Co Waste Water BuildingArt in cement on King Co Water Building
A relic of anther time caught my eye as I walked back. It was an old tow yard abandoned. It was surrounded with chain link fencing to keep the towed cars safe. A hole in the fence gave access to a phone booth. That is a dying breed of communication.
Tow Yard old phone booth obsolete
Right at the busy intersection of Harbor and Spokane there was a homeless tent. Most folks just zip by and probably don’t even notice.
traffic zooms by homeless tentHomeless tent at intersection of Harbor and Spokane SW
There is also a private kitty shelter that helps find homes for homeless cats.
Kitty adoption place
To see more of my Duwamish Adventure I have a directory post that links all of the pieces together. You can find that post here – My Duwamish Adventure Directory
Before my trouble with T-5 security I walked between the T-7 buildings. They were open for trucks to unload and did not have chain link fences obstructing access. From there I got some great shots of the northern end of the Duwamish River. This area is just past the West Seattle Bridge and close to what I would call her mouth.
It is an area of commerce and what a lot of us would call just plain junk left behind from another time.
There is also nature here and a troop of ducks cut across the waterway as a tug approached.
Ducks at home in the Duwamish Rivercrossing the waterway a family of ducksTug in distance behind ducks on waterway
Then the tug was upon me. I took a little video which not only shows the red tug but gives you an idea of how narrow this piece of the waterway is.
Red Tug approaches entrance to Duwamish Waterway
Now let us look at the stuff behind T-7 on the river bank.
T-7 behind buildings on water – West Seattle Bridge in background
barge parked north of W Seattle Bridge at T7
Old rail cars stored behind T-7
west view behind T-7 with T-4 in background
On the West side of T-7 I was closer to the T-5 dock and noticed a gull sitting on a video camera. At first I thought it was askew but then realized it was pointing at where someone might climb the fence. This was my first clue that security was tight around T-5. Not a big surprise since the Arctic drill rig the Polar Pioneer had caused so much environmental activism.
I leave you with a photo looking north towards the Duwamish River/Waterway mouth. This is an old dock on the side of T-5 and in the distance is Elliott Bay and West Seattle.
End of T-7 and the mouth of the Duwamish
To see more of my Duwamish Adventure I have a directory post that links all of the pieces together. You can find that post here – My Duwamish Adventure Directory
As cars zip above on the West Seattle Bridge/Freeway below is another world. It is a maze of roads and pathways. Years ago this was a busy corridor when the road was not elevated. It had grocery stores, gas stations, hotels, restaurants and taverns. A real working man’s place across from a steel mill and a busy harbor.
I parked under the raised freeway not far from the Chelan Cafe which is really a survivor of that old-time. In the photo notice a couple of crows were making a living here. They strutted out onto the road after the traffic passed looking for a tasty treat.
After I got onto the Alki Trail from my car I took a photo looking both directions up the corridor.
Blue Eagle was somewhere along here under West Seattle Freeway
Eastward near Blue Eagle Tavern and Chelan Cafe
I can’t quite pinpoint where the Blue Eagle was. I think it was closer to the Cafe than where these photos were taken. I even searched in vain for a plaque or other sign commemorating the old businesses. All I found was hub caps placed on the decorative grid that was on the cement wall erected here.
Decorations on Wall separating T-5 and Spokane St SW
Back in the early 90’s when we were out on the night riding our motorcycle, David took us to the Blue Eagle. It was near its end then with scared wooden benches and tables. It was now a biker bar or you could say a down on ones luck’s place. It had character but it was not to be kept around for the revival of things old.
In the timeline of the days adventure I went to the west and investigated the area behind the cafe which is Terminal 5 and 7. Didn’t see 6 but it must have been there too. That is where I got some good shots of the Duwamish Waterway plus got a talking to from T-5 Security. See my other posts around Trouble at T-5 and one around the waterway.
Seattle Fire Department has a firehouse wedged down under the bridge. Station 36 has been there since 1919 and was the second station built for motorized fire trucks. The original building a lovely spanish style building was replaced in 1971 by the one you see today.
Seattle Fire Station 36 under the bridge
The Alki Trail (this starts under the West Seattle Bridge) follows along the road here. Here are some views looking east towards the river and the two bridges.
Alki Trail looking east on SW Spokane St.East view of Harbor Ave exit and Alki TrailEast view of West Seattle Bridge from Alki Trail
Peeking out of the maze was this sign for Luna Park. This area has a cluster of restaurants and other businesses surviving in some of the older buildings that have survived despite the bridge all around.
Luna Park area and Spokane St entrances
Swing around and look to the west now. This is the exit and entrances for Harbor Avenue and Admiral Way. Tad bit unnerving walking right next to the exit traffic. Even with that big barrier and metal fence I walked as far away as I could.
Alki Trail eastward towards Harbor Ave SWWest view of Harbor Ave exit and Alki Trail
That brings me to the end of under the bridge.
To see more of my Duwamish Adventure I have a directory post that links all of the pieces together. You can find that post here – My Duwamish Adventure Directory
Follow my meandering around the old community of Riverside next to the West Seattle Bridge. Let us start with some of the buildings that have survived. Several of them are now abandoned or being worked on while others are freshly painted and loved.
Small home from past in Riverside near W Sea Bridge
older home in Riverside near Duwamish River
Riverside tiny old house under repair
Riverside tiny old house
Riverside near Duwamish at Spokane St
Houses in Riverside off West Marginal Way SW
Riverside tiny old houses
This building faced onto West Marginal Way SW and must have been a business from how the front facade is shaped. The back was built to accommodate the proprietor of either a store or saloon. I found it was built in 1914 but now has a rollup garage door in the front and tattered curtains in the windows out back.
Front of old 1914 store or saloon.1914 store or saloon with house on backthis was someones home and business over 100 yrs ago
The other building that really stood out to me was this office for Global Diving. It dates back to the 1920s and must have been something special. They have treated her well and she is clean, repaired and showing her stuff.
Lovely building built in the 1920s on West Marginal Way SW1920’s Building embellishment
Here is a street view of Riverside so you can see how close the Duwamish with the railroad bridge as a landmark.
BNSF train bridge from RiversideStreets of Riverside
This community has seen many West Seattle Bridges come and go. Currently there are a pair of them. One is a highrise that never has to close for boat traffic which was the demise of the prior bridge. The lower one is a swivel bridge that opens for taller marine traffic. Here are a few photos of the two.
Deadend under West Seattle Bridge
Upper & Lower W Sea Bridge
Two West Seattle Bridges – upper and lower
Down under West Seattle Bridge
Look up!
Boat Crane and West Seattle Bridge
If you have been following my Duwamish Adventure, you will know that under bridges are those less fortunate. The West Seattle Bridge has a combination of old RVs, a Seafarers center and some restoration of the marsh under her.
Seattle Seafarer’s Center under West Seattle Bridge
Trash under the bridge
It will be nice here soon
Bridges and wires
Bridge and park being cleaned up
Car in need of help
Reclaimed area under W Sea Bridge
Bernice White memorial sign on Duwamish under W Sea Bridge
Parking area with Homeless
I found a few odd little things too.
Lock randomly latched to fence in T-105
Fairy wings caught in tree
To my surprise under the bridges I found that the Duwamish Trail ends there and two new trails begin.
Deadend under West Seattle BridgeUnderskirt of upper West Seattle Bridge at RiversideDuwamish Trail ends here under W Sea Bridge
To see more of my Duwamish Adventure I have a directory post that links all of the pieces together. You can find that post here – My Duwamish Adventure Directory
I had parked at T-105 and after investigating the park I started out of the gate to walk around Riverside and the West Seattle Bridge. Along comes this train and I captured how this area is more industrial than anything.
West Marginal Way SW and Train Tracks
The horn was so loud I had to cover my ear next to it. I also waved at the Engineer and you can see him wave back if you look closely. Enjoy!!
To see more of my Duwamish Adventure I have a directory post that links all of the pieces together. You can find that post here – My Duwamish Adventure Directory
