Bird Watching
Fort Flagler Loop─Old defense post now protects undeveloped Puget Sound coastline
Quick Facts: Location: Marrowstone Island Land Agency: Washington State Parks Contact: Fort Flagler State Park Roundtrip: 5.6 miles Elevation Gain: 200 feet Access: From Kingston Ferry Terminal, follow SR 104 west for 15 miles turning right onto SR 19. Continue north for 9 miles to Chimicum turning right onto Irondale Road and proceeding 1.6 miles…
Read MoreBob Heirman Wildlife Preserve at Thomas’ Eddy – Swans, steelhead, and serenity on the Snohomish River
Quick Facts: Location: Snohomish River, south of Snohomish Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 1.5 miles Elevation Gain: 50 feet Contact: Snohomish County Parks and Recreation Special Note: Dogs prohibited. Trails can flood during rainy period. Expect wet and muddy trails. Access: From the city of Snohomish, travel south on SR 9 for 2.6 miles…
Read MoreTolmie State Park
Explore a small trail network on the Nisqually Reach Quick Facts: Location: Lacey Land Agency: Washington State Parks Distance: 3.0 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 225 feet Contact: Tolmie State Park Notes: Discover Pass required; dogs permitted on leash: Hours: April 20-September 20: 8 a.m to dusk September 21-April 19, Wed—Sunday 9 a.m.-dusk…
Read MoreRiverview Wildlife Refuge –Quiet bird sanctuary on the Snohomish River
Quick Facts Location: City of Snohomish Land Agency: Snohomish Department of Parks and Volunteer Programs Roundtrip: 2.2 miles Elevation gain: minimal Difficulty: Easy Contact: City of Snohomish and Pilchuck Audubon Society Notes: Dogs must be on a leash. Access: From Everett head east on US 2 to SR 9. Then follow SR 9 south exiting…
Read MoreNorth Creek Park─Enjoy being “bogged” down for the holidays
Quick Facts: Location: Mill Creek Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 2.0 miles Elevation Gain: 30 feet Access: From I-5 Exit 183 follow 164th Street SE east to SR 527. Turn south and follow SR 527 to 183rd Street SE. Turn right (west) and proceed for a 0.5 mile to park entrance on right. Alternatively take…
Read MoreLake Sylvia─A great place to log some hiking miles
Quick Facts: Location: Montesano, Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 4.9 miles Elevation Gain: 220 feet Access: From US 12 in Montesano, head north on Main Street past the county courthouse. Turn left onto Spruce Avenue proceeding three blocks. Then turn right on 3rd Street which becomes Sylvia Lake Road for 1.2 miles to…
Read MoreLa Center Bottoms─Wintering bird haven on the East Fork of the Lewis River
Quick Facts: Location: La Center, Clark County Wash. Land Agency: Clark County Parks Roundtrip: 2.0 miles Elevation Gain: 30 feet Special Note: Dogs permitted on leash. Access: From Vancouver, head north on I-5 to Exit 16. Turn right onto La Center Road and proceed for 1.6 miles to the bridge over the East Fork Lewis River.…
Read MoreSkagit River Loop– Where eagles dine
Quick Facts: Location: Ross Lake National Recreation Area, North Cascades Scenic Highway Land Agency: National Park Service Roundtrip: 1.8 miles Elevation gain: 100 feet Contact: NCNP Visitors Center Sedro-Woolley Green Trails Map: Marblemount, WA- No. 47 Guidebook: Day Hiking North Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Notes: dogs must be leashed, Practice Leave No Trace Principles Access:…
Read MoreSpencer Island — Wildlife refuge in the heart of the Snohomish River Delta
Quick Facts: Location: Snohomish River Delta, Everett Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks Roundtrip: 3.0 miles Elevation gain: none Contact: Snohomish County Parks Notes: Dogs prohibited; Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife manages northern half of island which is open seasonally to hunting. Good to Know: Practice Leave No Trace, kid-friendly, snow free winter hike, exceptional bird…
Read MoreOaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge– Portland’s Premier Wildlife Refuge
Quick Facts: Location: Sellwood neighborhood, Portland, Oregon Land Agency: Portland Parks and Recreation Roundtrip: 2.8 miles Elevation gain: 60 feet Contact: Portland Parks and Recreation Notes: dogs must be leashed Access: From Ross Island Bridge follow US 26 east (Powell Boulevard) immediately turning right onto SR 99E (SE McLoughlin Boulevard). In just over one mile exit…
Read More