Bird Watching
Dockton Forest and Maury Island Natural Area — Explore Vashon Island’s grand park
Quick Facts: Location: Vashon Island Land Agency: King County Parks Round Trip: More than 10 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 450 feet Contact: King County Parks Detailed Information: Urban Trails Seattle (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs allowed on leash Access: From Seattle take Washington State Ferry from Fauntleroy (West Seattle) to Vashon Island Ferry…
Read MoreHoyt Beach–Shoreline of solitude at the Mouth of the Sekiu River
Location: Northwest Olympic Peninsula Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 2.0 miles High Point: sea level Elevation gain: none Contact: Washington State Parks Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs permitted on leash Access: From Port Angeles, head west of US 101 for 5 miles. Turn right onto SR 112 and follow west for 46 miles to Clallam…
Read MorePadilla Bay Dike Trail–shore fine hike in the Skagit Valley
Quick Facts: Location: Skagit County Land Agency: Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Roundtrip: 4.8 miles Elevation Gain: 30 feet Contact: Padilla Bay NERR Access: From Burlington (exit 231 on I-5) proceed through roundabouts and head west on Josh Wilson Road for 6.4 miles. Upon entering the village of Bay View turn left onto 2nd Street…
Read MoreSouth Indian Island — Enjoy peaceful shoreline strolling along a line of defense
Quick Facts: Location: Indian Island near Port Hadlock Land Agency: Jefferson County Parks Roundtrip: 4.0 miles Elevation Gain: 70 feet Notes: Detailed information can be found in Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula (Mountaineers Books) Contact: Jefferson County Parks Access: From Kingston, drive State Route 104 turning right onto SR 19. Then continue north for 9 miles turning right onto…
Read MoreLangus Waterfront Trail─A slough of surprises await just minutes from downtown Everett
Quick Facts Location: City of Everett Land Agency: Everett Parks and Recreation Department Roundtrip: 4.0 miles Elevation Gain: None Access: From Everett, take Exit 195 off of I-5 turning left onto East Grand Ave. In 0.5 mile bear right onto East Marine View Drive and follow for 1.0 mile to SR 529. Continue north on SR…
Read MoreSwan Lake and Butte–listen to the cry of the loon
Quick Facts: NOTE: Road to Swan Lake has been damaged due to winter storms and may not be open. Call Republic Ranger District for road status (509) 775-7400 Location: Colville National Forest, near Republic Land Agency: US Forest Service Roundtrip: 3.1 miles Elevation gain: 360 feet Contact: Colville National Forest Notes: Dogs permitted on leash, but…
Read MoreBig Ditch─Dig in for some excellent swan and snow geese viewing
Quick Facts Location: Skagit Bay, Stanwood Land Agency: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Roundtrip: 3.6 miles Elevation Gain: None Access: From Exit 212 on I-5 head west on SR 532 for five miles to the town of Stanwood. Turn right onto the Pioneer Highway and proceed for 2.6 miles to the junction with the Old…
Read MoreLeque Island–Where it snows geese in the winter!
Location: Stanwood Land Agency: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Roundtrip: 1.0 mile Elevation gain: None Difficulty: Easy Contact: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Notes: Discover Pass or WDFW Vehicle Use Permit required; Active hunting area from October to late January Access: From Exit 212 on I-5, travel west 5.0 miles to Stanwood.…
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