This one is the first of a 10-part series that follows The Mountaineers’ Olmsted 50. The Mountaineers are a Seattle-based hiking and conservation society. James Olmsted was hired by the city of Seattle in 1903 to put together a master parks plan. Olmsted designed some three dozen parks in Seattle and one of the Mountaineers put together are in-city walking route that explores the belt that Olmsted was given. It is 50 km long and since my walks are typically about 5k, this will naturally be a 10 part epic. Leg 1-A, as I have designated it, goes from the Chittenden Locks in Ballard up through Shilshole and Golden Gardens to NW85th and 32nd NW. Next month picks up from there and continues to the Woodland Park Zoo. Enjoy this one and I hope you look forward to the rest!

• Start Address: Chittenden Locks (known as the Ballard Locks)

• Stop Address: NW 85th and 32nd NW

• Mileage: 2.44 miles

• Animated map: here

• Difficulty/Terrain: Sidewalks and half-sand trails, plus 294 stairs in a wooded area.

• Ascent: 314ft, Descent: 68ft.