North Creek Trail — Saturday, Mar. 22, 2025

Walked the southern section of the North Creek Trail Saturday morning in the scattered sunshine.  The route runs from the sports fields off North Creek Pkwy S north through the southern wetlands, along a connector trail (basically a wide sidewalk) north of 240th St SE up to the large pond and wetland area north of 228th St SE.  We did basically a simple out and back with mileage ending up just shy of 6 miles.  There is some parking on the south at the sports fields but I find it difficult to tell when it’s legal (shared with business park tenants) so I park at a small park labeled “North Creek Trail Park” by google that is along North Creek Parkway just east of the creek about 2/3s of a mile north of the southern terminus.  The only restrooms available are at the sports fields on the south end and they don’t seem to be consistently open.  No trail closures or blocking issues though some of the paved sections are older and have significant root lift  “speed bumps” which would be challenging for strollers or other wheeled vehicles.  Note - this trail really is not ADA accessible as there are a number of areas with a few stairs, steep grades, curbs, etc.

There was quite a bit of wildlife out - at least two heron, one big adult bald eagle hunting over the big northern pond, one juvenile bald eagle hanging out in a tree near the old farm barn, several kinds of ducks, feisty kingfishers chasing after each other, hummingbirds, etc and while we didn’t see an actual beaver, there are several areas that show activity including a big lodge easily viewed from the eastern bit of the levee trails.  Views of the ponds and creek are nice as well (and apparently this is a coho spawning stream when that is in season.)  A nice little close in wetlands walk if you are in the area.