As former residents of Queen Anne, we can vouch for the myriad of stairs and passageways that connect the hill’s random access ways. Around every corner there seems to be a staircase that only squirrels or cats knew about until that racy "mature" rag Sunset Magazine exposed the phenomenon. more ›

"Shadow play" by Scott Cahill Rude (seattlescott69) , from our Flickr pool more ›

"Stairs" by Wesa more ›

There's an old P-I review of the Lake Serene hike that nicely sums up one element of the trail: "a bit like that old board game Chutes and Ladders, but without the chutes." It's a few days later, and our calves are still complaining about the series of steep wooden stairs. But to hell with them, it was worth it! more ›