Saturday Morning Run - Issaquah Highlands

Run Leaders - Alicia King (206) 713-9967 & Tami Curtis (425) 985-7898

Driving Directions:

From Seattle, Take I-90 E to exit 18 (towards Issaquah Highlands) and merge onto Highlands Dr NE. Turn right at NE Federal Dr and slight right at NE Park Dr. Go 0.7 mile on NE Park Dr and Grand Ridge Elementary School (1739 NE Park Dr., Issaquah, WA 98029) is on your right. Meet in the school parking lot under the covered bus pick-up area. Look for group of ESR runners huddled.

From Redmond/Sammamish, Take Issaquah-Pine Lake Rd SE towards Highlands Dr NE. Continue on Highlands Dr NE and onto 9th Ave NE. Turn left at NE High St. Turn right at 10th Ave NE and turn left at NE Park Dr. Go 0.7 mile on NE Park Dr and Grand Ridge Elementary School (1739 NE Park Dr., Issaquah, WA 98029) is on your right. Meet in the school parking lot under the covered bus pick-up area. Look for group of ESR runners huddled.

Breakfast: TBA at Run

Course Description

3.5 Miles (Hilly Woodsy - 1,560 ft. total elevation gain) – Start at Grand Ridge Elementary, run up Park Drive and take first right into Central Park . Follow power line trail south. After trail begins to go downhill, bear right into the woods. Follow trail in woods almost all the way downhill. When you reach a sign warning of bears and cougars, take the trail option to the left. Head up the hill and follow trail over tricky stream crossing. Continue on trail as it winds uphill. You will eventually come out on Grand Ridge Drive. Go left and exit woods. Go left again onto Harrison St and head downhill toward neighborhoods. Locate the stairs straight ahead and descend them to a gravel path. Veer left on gravel path and continue downhill. Once on street level continue west until you enter Central Park. Go right at sculpture/roundabout and head back to school.

4+ Miles (Mildly Undulating) – Start at Grand Ridge Elementary, run up Park Drive and take first right into Central Park. Follow path toward sculpture/roundabout and down to lower soccer fields. Run one lap around fields coming back up to sculpture. Go right up road toward tennis courts. Just beyond tennis courts, locate a path that goes to the right. Follow path around water retention pond. Return through Central Park the way you came in. Cross Park Drive and follow lower paved path beneath power lines. Path will lead to Natalie Way – go right and up to Dahlia Park . Run one lap around park and come back down Natalie Way to Bark Park. Run ½ lap around Bark Park/water retention pond. Bear right half way around pond and go over bridge. Follow trail around next pond and back over bridge. Follow trail around Bark Park pond and head up and out of pond loops onto Natalie Way. Return to school on power line trail

6.5 Miles (Trails and Views) - Start at Grand Ridge Elementary, run up Park Drive and take first right into Central Park. Follow power line trail south. Road narrows to trail and heads into the woods on the right after you start to head downhill. Follow trail in woods all the way downhill until you reach dirt road. Go right and follow dirt road paralleling I-90. Follow path through tunnel/underpass and loop up and over tunnel paralleling Highlands Drive . Follow path to top of hill and take first left. You will find a newly paved asphalt path heading left/south. Follow path in big loop that overlooks Issaquah with some great vantage points. If you lose the trail (new construction, confusing roads starting and stopping), head back toward Café Ladro. You should be able to stay on trail as long as you are close to the edge of the bluff overlooking Issaquah. Trail will end and hook up with road with a little leap over a dirt bump. Follow road back up toward Café Ladro. Follow Park Drive and go left onto Lower Powerline trail just past Fire Department. Follow trail through neighborhood and around to right. When trail ends go left onto 15th Ave. NE and follow past Montessori School . At end go right into trailhead (Cathy’s Trail). Follow Cathy’s Trail up, up, up to Trailhead Vista. Return to school.