Name: Horsing Around at Farrel-McWhirter (3 boxes)
Location: Redmond Washington
County: King
Placed : 02/01/03 By Hoopoe

Farrel-McWhirter is a fun little park north east of Downtown Redmond
WA. There is a small family farm with animals present year round.
There are large open grass lawns and plenty of picnic areas. A small
bridle trail circles the park and there are two community rings on
the north end. Mackey creek runs in two branches through the park
and some areas can be somewhat soggy. The mix of habitat offers good
bird watching potential. There is a permanent Orienteering "trim"
course in the park. Information about all of the organized
activities and the orienteering course are available from the City of
Redmond Parks Department.

http://www.ci.redmond.wa.us/econnect/HelpDesk/HelpDesk.asp#Contact


Directions:
Take Highway 520 east from 405 or its junction with I-5 in Seattle to
its eastern terminus. Keep in the left lane (Avondale Rd exit) and
the road will empty out into the surface streets to become Avondale
Road. Continue northbound. Turn right in 1.25 miles onto Novelty
Hill Road. In about 2 blocks, turn left onto NE Redmond Rd. Turn
left into the park after the road bends left.

The Redmond Watershed boxes are about 1 mile further east on Novelty
Hill Road and these two venues would provide a full day of Boxing.
Bridle Trails SP and St Edwards SP are to the west along I 405. Each
offers multiple boxes to try.

Clues:
Medium difficulty, beginners might be challenged. Hike modest to
moderate. A few hills. Distance about 1.25 miles. Good for most
able folks. Great for family.

To the boxes:
Head to the far, 280* end of the parking lot.
Take the trail with three guardians that heads 250*
T-left, T-right.
Swing right to the service road. Keep heading 0* to the bridge in
the distance.
Go into the woods and take 10* uphill.
Soon on the left two old nurses. Go ask the 2nd one to tell a tale.

Continue to climb.
"T" right and go to see Mackey and his bridge.
On the far side, on the right a buttress cedar trunk holds a quiet
secret. Look carefully for he won't pipe up.

Continue on main trail. Cross the quiet stream and go left.
Hit the pavement, say "Hi" to the bunnies and chickens.
Keep the pony ring fence to your right and pick up the trail near the
diamonds.
Track right.
Cross the road. Five Jay on the left will not make a sound but you
can count on them
+ 48 to "conker" this course.

Return to the parking lot by continuing on and taking all the right
options, or backtrack to the road you recently crossed and walk in
that way.

As usual please be discreet and careful when finding. This is a busy
park.

Hoopoe
scribenbirder@msn.com