Mead Switchbacks

There is likely a proper name for this trail but I don't know it - I was introduced to it by Dori Whitford, the XC coach at Mead. I did a session with her creative writing class and she gave directions to the trailhead (Discovery Pass required). From the school, proceed west on Hastings Road to the first light. Turn right.  Make the very next left and angle right to the gate. That easy.

The top of the trailhead. You start at the edge of the valley with a downhill tack from the residential section.

After about half a mile of downhill running, I bottomed out in another residential section. I might have to knock off a bank or two, but I wouldn't mind living here. I need to slow down more when taking pictures.

Just. . . .wow.

There's a pretty little bridge to cross. Sidetracked by the views.

Not all the trails lead out. . . but even the dead ends are worth the backtrack.

Ended up doing a bushwhacked across the open ground. Yes, bonus miles were involved. Going off trail always puts me into bonus miles. Found a deer trail that finished in a pretty little clearing. The deer apparently like it. They left their calling cards.