SEATTLE OLMSTED 50: IN-A-WEEK!

​​Participants must be a Mountaineers member with a current waiver on file to register for this course.  

Priority registration: To individuals willing and able to complete all five sections of the Seattle Olmsted 50 in a week. Sections 1 & 2 (~12 miles) on Monday, section 3 (~6 miles) on Wednesday, and sections 4 & 5 (~12 miles) on Friday.

ABOUT Seattle Olmsted 50 IN-A-Week

This course is designed for those individuals interested in walking the Seattle Olmsted 50 in one week. It works well for individuals who are looking for longer walks over a shorter period. Present and future urban walk leaders will also gain from the knowledge and camaraderie of fellow walkers as we visit many of Seattle’s beautiful Olmsted parks and boulevards. We welcome:

• Participants willing and able to walk 50K over a three day period at a pace of 2 to 2.5 mph.
• Participants who are looking for a social, mutually supportive atmosphere.
• Urban walk leaders and non-leaders interested in learning more about Seattle's beautiful Olmsted parks.

COURSE Requirements

Walk Sections 1 - 5 of the Seattle Olmsted 50

Registration in this course automatically enrolls you in sections 1 through 5 of the Seattle Olmsted 50. Priority will be given to individuals interested in completing all five sections in one week.

Stewardship Credit

You may receive the Stewardship Credit badge by participating in a full-day (6 hours) or multiple half-day approved stewardship activities.  Please visit the Stewardship Opportunities page at https://www.mountaineers.org/conservation/stewardship/stewardship-opportunities/stewardship-opportunities to find opportunities at The Mountaineers as well as Other Organizations Near You. When you explore this list, you will find work parties at many Seattle Olmsted parks.

Seattle Olmsted 50 Online Quiz

After completing the walks and earning the Stewardship Credit, the Seattle Urban Walk Committee will share the online quiz with you. Pass the quiz to receive the SEATTLE OLMSTED 50 BADGE.

We will keep the course open for a month to allow all students sufficient time to earn their Stewardship Credit Badge and pass the quiz.

Seattle Olmsted 50 History

To learn more about our route, please read Seattle Olmsted 50: Ballard Locks to Rainier Beach on The Mountaineers website: https://www.mountaineers.org/activities/routes-places/seattle-olmsted-50-ballard-locks-to-rainier-beach

Trail developers relied extensively on both the Friends of Seattle’s Olmsted Parks website and FSOP veterans. Find the website here: https://seattleolmsted.org/. Suggested approach:

• Read the Brief History first, about 10 minutes. See the link to David Williams’ History essay recently quoted in a Seattle Times
• The About Us section reminds us that we’ve fine partners for this work. FSOP Board Member Stuart Johnston is also a Mountaineer deeply involved in ongoing trail development.
• Under Parks, click on the Map and you can see how the route touched many, many Olmsted parks and boulevards. It also guided the (under) development Seattle Olmsted 70 – the additional 70 kilometers needed to sweep up West Seattle, Downtown and Magnolia/Discovery Park to link with the Ballard Locks start.
• Read the November Seattle Times feature on the launch of the Seattle Olmsted 50. https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/visit-dozens-of-seattles-best-parks-on-this-olmsted-walking-route/

 If you’re curious about the approach taken to long urban walks in other cities, check out these websites:

• San Francisco Crosstown Trail (17 miles) https://crosstowntrail.org/
• Boston Walking City Trail (27 miles) https://www.bostontrails.org/
• Walk Around Philadelphia (100 miles) https://www.jjtiziou.net/project/walk-around-philadelphia/