Pintail and Egret Marshes Boardwalk and hike around the marshes

OUr second stop int eh Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge was to the short 0.4 mile round trip boardwalk to the Observation Blind overlooking Pintail Marsh. We then drove to the parking area by Pintail Marsh and did a 1.7 mile walk around both Pintail and Egret Marshes.

Views along the boardwalk and at the Observation Blind

Walking around the Pintail and Egret Marshes we saw some birds, shed snake skin, a snake, insects and wildflowers

Oxbow Loop Trail

This morning we did two hikes in the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River area. The first one was the Oxbow Loop Trail, we parked at the first trailhead, and then realized we needed to hike towards the second trailhead for a lovely viewpoint over the river, before returning and hiking the loop trail. Overall we hiked 1.7 miles with minimal elevation change. This is a beautiful hike in the forest! Views from the viewpoint above the Middlefork of the Snoqualmie River on the trail between the two trailheads, first looking towards The Pulpit, second one looking towards Russian Butte

This is a lovely forest with lots of luscious moss, ferns and trees

Along the loop trail, there is a side trail leading to the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, first photo looking upstream, second photo looking downstream towards Russian Butte

Bridge crossing by Oxbow Lake and several views around Oxbow Lake

There were many great views of Russian Butte through the moss covered trees, here are a couple

Along the trail we also saw hair ice and frosty ferns, leaves and fungi