Again this year there are 40+ Ruddy Ducks on Lake Joy.? There is a little known public access (not a boat launch).? To get to the access drive?on Lake Joy?Riad until you see the Lake Joy Community sign at which point you bear left.? You will encounter a steep downhill.? There is only one.? Park on the right near, but not in front of the yellow fire hydrant.? There is a short ?trail into the lake shore.??The trailhead is slightly uphill from the hydrant.? Due to the shape of the lake, the entire lake can be scoped from the lake shore.? If you have a small kayak, you could launch from the shore also.? Despite the low temperatures the lake is still not frozen over.??Here is a photo of the Ruddy Ducks prior to their arising for the morning.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/11224060164/

Nearby is Moss Lake, a King County Park with a small lake and trails.

http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/natural-lands/ecological/moss-lake.aspx

Trail map for Moss Lake:

http://trails.evergreenmtb.org/w/uploads/b/b1/Mosslake_map.jpg

Hank Heiberg
Lake Joy
Carnation, WA
hank.heiberg at yahoo.com