Yet another route alert, this one caused by humans! In the early morning hours of December 19, a pickup truck drove right through a street-end next to Longfellow Creek, hit a small pedestrian bridge there and plunged into the water. The driver and passenger were not injured, but the pedestrian bridge is closed indefinitely for repairs. Unfortunately for stairway walkers, this bridge provides access to the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail right at the beginnning of the Longfellow Creek and Pigeon Point stairway walk (Chapter 19).
Thankfully there's an easy detour to the opposite side of the bridge. From the starting point described in the book, head to the intersection of 26th Avenue SW and SW Andover Street. Walk west a couple dozen yards along the sidewalk next to SW Andover Street, then turn left to traverse the parking lot at the West Seattle Health Club. You'll find the entrance to the Longfellow Creek trail straight ahead across the street-end, as you exit the parking lot (the same street-end the pickup truck plowed through). After that, the loop route continues unchanged.
Have a safe and happy New Year. See you on the stairs!
