Remembering Senator Bill Ramos - A Hike Recap

By Tom Anderson

Following the renaming of the East Sunset Way Trailhead in honor of the late Senator Bill Ramos, the club wanted to offer a hike from the trailhead, following in his footsteps and offering opportunities to reflect on his life.  We did that on Saturday, January 31, when over 30 hikers came to meander a loop on the Tradition Plateau.  The route ascended to the Plateau, branched onto the Brink Trail, then the Ruth Kees Big Tree Trail, and the Swamp Trail, taking us to the High Point Trailhead. There, we stopped to snack and share our remembrances of Bill at the Education Shelter. 

Group photo at the trailhead. (Courtesy Beth Bazley)

The group included several local public servants who interacted with Senator Ramos in that aspect of his life, who shared their memories.  These included state Senator Victoria Hunt, who now serves in the seat vacated by Bill on his untimely death; Chair of King County Democrats Beth Bazley; Mayor of North Bend Mary Miller; and others he had mentored along the way. We were pleased to have Sarah Perry, Bill’s wife and King County councilperson, along as well. And then there were those who experienced him on the dance floor, on the trails of the Issaquah Alps, and in their neighborhood. Bill was not bashful about knocking on doors.

After the sharing time, we returned via the Around the Lake Trail, the Bus Trail, with a brief stop at Round Lake, and then the Wetlands Trail, closing the loop and dropping down to the parking lot where we started.

Here are a few photos, a sampling of the experience:

Co-leaders Tom Anderson and Dave Kappler brief the group on the day's route.  (Courtesy Victoria Hunt)

The view from the "Issaquah Vista" on the Tradition Plateau.

The group hiking along the Ruth Kees Big Tree Trail.

Dave Kappler explains facets of the area around the Big Tree.

The group makes its way along the Swamp Trail.

Osoberry, an early bloomer, doesn't care that it is still January and blooms anyway.

All photos by Tom Anderson, unless otherwise noted.