Day Hike - Hiram M. Chittenden Locks

The quartet made brisk progress through the Chittenden Locks with occasional sprinkles.  The osprey platform near the rail overpass bridging Commodore Ave was vacant.  No smolt were seen in the spillways but a few were in behind the viewing windows on the return.  The stacked pools above the daylighted Scheuermn Creek were a little tough to find with abundant spring growth.  We soaked in the views west below Daybreak Star and (somewhat foolishly) explored a path leading south along the bluff above the Indian Cultural Center.  Gained altitude quickly and lost it as fast on what turned out to be a big U-Turn back to the Center parade ground.  Admiration for the size and variety of Big Leaf Maples knows no bounds on the Loop Trail.  About 2 1/2 hours for 5 miles  with the cultural and historical side trip to the Fort Lawton Cemetery.  A century of history is found on the head stones.