The Emerald City Wanderers
Seattle, Washington
We are a walking club which hosts non-competitive walking events for fun, fitness, and friendship. We’re a Seattle-based chapter of America’s Walking Club, and our club is known as the “Holiday Club” because we sponsor organized walking events on or near holidays – New Year’s Eve and Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Halloween. We also host many self-guided year-round-walks in Seattle.
Walk With Us – Our Next Event
New Year’s Walks – Thursday, December 31 & Friday, January 1
Say farewell to 2020 (or good riddance, perhaps?) with a sunset walk on New Year’s Eve. As evening descends, you’ll enjoy holiday lights in residential and business neighborhoods, along with great nighttime views of downtown Seattle, Magnolia, and ship traffic across Puget Sound and Elliott Bay. The 10K route, rated 2A, walks down to and along Alki Beach and then back up the hill to the Start Location. The 5K walk, rated 1A, stays atop the hill and wanders down to the Junction business district, passing by holiday light displays. Walkers are advised to bring flashlights. Finish by 7:30 p.m.
Then join us again on New Year’s Day and start 2021 off right! The routes are different from those of New Year’s Eve. The 10K route, rated 2A, strolls through the Junction, down to Puget Sound, around Lighthouse Point, returning through Schmitz Park. The 5K route, rated 1A, stays on top of the hill, exploring the North Admiral district, with great views of Elliott Bay and Puget Sound.
Start Location:
St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church
3050 California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116
Registration:
December 31, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Finish by 7:30 p.m.
January 1, from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Finish by 1:30 p.m.
Driving Directions:
From I-5, take exit 162, and move to the right lane of this long exit ramp. At the stoplight, turn right onto Michigan Street and follow the signs for 1st Ave S Bridge / SR99-S (after crossing E Marginal Way, you’ll immediately veer right to go up onto the bridge). Cross the 1st Ave Bridge, staying in right lane, and take the first exit (W Marginal Way / SR99-S). At the end of the ramp, stay in the right lane, following the sign for W Marginal Way, and merge right onto 2nd Ave SW. Then move to the left lane, and at the next stoplight, turn left on W Marginal Way. Move to right lane and continue through next stoplight (Highland Drive). Stay on W Marginal Way in the right lane, about 2.5 miles, to the complex 5-way intersection at SW Chelan. Continue straight through this intersection, then staying right after passing the Chalan Cafe. Then move to left lane and continue up Admiral Way. Left on California Ave SW (after Jack-in-the-Box). After two blocks, turn left into West Seattle High School parking lot. Start location at St. John’s Church is next to the parking lot.
Comments:
Unlike previous years, we do not have access inside the Church. Registration is outside, and restrooms are available across the street at PCC grocery. This will be a map-walk with very limited trail marking. Pets are welcome. A colorful embroidered patch designed by Dorman Batson commemorating the event will be available for purchase.
Challenges:
New Year’s Eve: Little Free Libraries. Rockin’ Around the Clock (5K). Whiskey-Vino-Brew (5K – Brew).
New Year’s Day: (to be determined)
Next Membership Meeting:
Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
Join us for our virtual meeting, held online. All are welcome! For more information, send a note to Mike.
Take one of our Walking Challenges:
LIGHT RAIL WALKS CHALLENGE PROGRAM: Beginning in 2019 we joined with several other clubs to sponsor the Light Rail Challenge, which features walks originating from Light Rail stations from Angle Lake to the UW. Details: Light Rails Challenge
NATIONAL PARK ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL PROGRAM: In 2016, the National Park Service celebrated its Centennial – 100 Years! The Emerald City Wanderers club sponsors an AVA Special Program to honor that Centennial. More details here.