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Though Soaring Eagle Regional Park is not an entirely pristine natural environment by any means, it is within an hours drive of a million people, and at times you can forget you are right on the edge a fast growing suburb. There are some nice sections featuring groves of very old (but probably not over 100 years old) spruce and fir. The trails were designed by and for mountain bikers, and I have seen at least one biker every time I've gone there. I haven't run into any problems, but you do need to listen for any oncoming bikes. Dogs sometimes are let to run off leash, too, so be prepared to feel a few wet noses. The mood while hiking the trails here is sometimes reminiscent of The Blair Witch Project. It's obvious the entire area has been logged off, probably more than fifty years ago. Managed for years by Washington Department of Natural Resources, ownership was tranferred to King County thanks to negitiations handled by the Cascade Land Conservancy in 1993. In 2001, two 6-acre parcels were exchanged between King County and the Sammamish Plateau Water District, resulting in two huge new water tanks built on a sparsely wooded lot on the west side of the park. The main trailhead is just to the north of the water tanks, at the eastern terminus of East Main Street. The most recent news about Soaring Eagle Park is a proposal by the City of Sammamish to convert part of the park, 30 nondescript acres on the southern boundary adjacent to the Trossachs mega-subdivision, into an active recreation zone with soccer fields and all the trimmings. Overall, the area they have chosen is suitable for such use, and should be a nice addition to the overall experience to be had in the park. Signs posted throughout the park make the following requests:
- Respect all trail users and announce your presence.
- Please use the trails at a safe speed and under control.
- Hikers and bikers should yield to horses.
- Stay on existing trails within the park boundary. Please do not create new trails.
- If you wish to volunteer to help improve these trails, please call 206-296-2984.
- Report any problems to 206-296-4232.
Loop Trail (5 miles more or less)Begin from a trailhead at the eastern terminus of East Main Street. Follow maps posted along the trail to create a loop of your choice. The maximum round trip is approximately 5 miles of easy hiking. There are some patches of lovely forest to be seen where you can almost forget you are in an urban area. At other points, encroaching development is obvious.
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