Walk on the Roof of the City (While You Still Can)

Health can mean many things. It can mean a smoothie at Cafe Wylde or a hot yoga sesh.

It can also mean fresh sea air and sunshine. It can be the inspiration you get from looking at a panoramic view of the Cascades at sundown or morning light filling a vintage cityscape.

The Skytrak*, on the roof of the YMCA**, is a place where I feel like I have a different perspective.

The roof of the five-story YMCA addition is a large rectangle. Encircled by a hacienda-style portico topped with a corrugated metal roof, the skytrack is the paved ring underneath the portico. It’s good for a leisurely stroll or a brisk jog al fresco.

The outside walls of the track have large windows that look out over views to the north, east, and south. The east wall, unfortunately, is all concrete blocks—if it weren’t, it would offer some amazing views of the sunset.

Also: it’s seagull city up there. The birds like to sit on the roof and call to you as you walk by them. I kinda like this, actually, because I feel like they’re such a bizarre and friendly civic symbol.

One lap around the track is 1/16th of a mile.

*The elusive view to the east. The east wall of the Skytrak is made of brick, no windows. I got this shot through a drainage space at the base of the wall. Pretty nice view of the city.*

The trek up the stairs to the rooftop is a workout; five flights of stairs is all the warm-up you need before a jog. Once you swing open the door to the rooftop, the sun and fresh air are great. The YMCA offers rooftop yoga on the Skytrak, and there’s also kids’ play equipment there. Garden beds hold ornamental pines.

Candidly, the rooftop of the Y needs a little TLC. Weeding and a pressure washer could do wonders. But maybe this is a moot point as the YMCA will be moving later this year to a new location. They’re breaking ground on their new spot in the Glacier View neighborhood this summer—stay tuned for coverage of the event.

And, of course, there’s the view. I like to jog while looking out over the city. From the top of the Y you can see the KSER station, Angel of the Winds Arena, and more.

It’s pretty cool to stretch your legs on the top of Everett.

If I were a millionaire, maybe I’d buy the north wing of the YMCA building. I’d have two private gyms, a pool, and I’d walk the Skytrak, chilling out under West Coast powder blue skies.

*Sidebar: the name Skytrak definitely sounds sci-fi to me. Part Skywalker, part Star Trek, part Skynet.

**Of course, you need a YMCA membership to access the Skytrak. Check out the YMCA website for membership details.