The Burke-Gilman trail is a tremendous resource for bikers, hikers,
joggers, pedestrians, dog walkers, bladers and all form of mobile
life that winds through the northern half of Seattle.
The trail derives its name from two of a team of investors
responsible for funding a Seattle-based railroad that would help
Seattle develop into a major transportation center. The plan worked
well enough and a major rail line operated from Seattle to outlying
logging areas. Northern Pacific acquired the line in 1913 and
operated it until 1963. Burlington Northern merged this line with
two others in 1970 and then in 1971 applied to abandon the line
altogether.
Citizens quickly realized the potential use of the abandoned
line for a non-motorized trail through the city and a movement was
launched. Over the objections of residents living near the trail,
the City of Seattle, University of Washington and King County
worked together to develop the route. The original Burke-Gilman
trail was 12.1 miles long and extended from Gas Works Park to Tracy
Owen Station in Kenmore.
Since that time, the trail has been extended on both ends. As of
2004, the trail began at 11th Ave NW in Ballard and wound through
Seattle, up around Lake Washington all the way to Blyth Park in
Bothell. At that point it joins the Sammamish River trail and this
entire trail is 27 miles long.
The dream of many is to see the B-G trail extend all the way to
Golden Gardens Park. It has been a long ongoing tussle to
accomplish that feat. As plans stand now, there are three sections
remaining to be developed - the "Missing Link" section from 11th
Ave NW to the Ballard Locks, an about to be completed section from
the Ballard Locks to NW 60th St and Seaview Ave NW., and the
terminus from NW 60th St up to Golden Gardens Park. The terminus
section is scheduled for development in 2007. Negotiations are
still ongoing to acquire the needed public right-of-way on the
"Missing Link".
This cache was placed to celebrate the imminent completion of
the section between the locks and NW 60th St and Seaview Ave NW. As
the SDOT website encourages: Please mark your calendar and plan
to join us on Monday, July 25th, at 6:30 p.m. when we will
celebrate the completion of this newest section of the Burke-Gilman
Trail!
The cache is located as close to the end of the trail as I could
find an interesting spot. Actually, I must credit my good buddy Jim
G. for finding the spot as I was unaware of the public access spot
he showed me. Just prior to a lovely Thursday evening sail we
placed this lock and lock cache container. Bon voyage and bon
chance!