10/15/2024 Update — Books are here! They should be showing up in stores in the coming days and weeks. In the meantime, I’ve decided to extend the 20% early bird online discount through the end of October. Many thanks to those who preordered. Your books should arrive shortly!
—Ken
It’s been quite a haul, but the latest update to Hiking Snohomish County is finally done—well, actually 99 percent done, since it’s currently at the printer. Books will be available in October, and will ship hot off the press. Hikes range from the high peaks of the North Cascades to the marine beaches of the Salish Sea. If you like, you can preorder here (early birds get 20 percent off + free shipping).
As before, the guide is packed with photos, maps, factoids, anecdotes, sweat, tears, happy thoughts, and pages (now 336). The number of hikes and walks described has also increased from 110 to 140. I’ve tried to include virtually every trail in the county that’s at least a mile long. Of course, many are far longer than that. Some are super-easy, some super-hard, with most lying somewhere in between (duh).
Hikes are loosely organized by community or watershed. Difficulty ratings, GPS coordinates, round-trip distances, elevation gain and best months to hike are all part of the package. I also included a special section listing dozens of parks with shorter walking paths that I hope will be useful to families, seniors, those with mobility concerns, or anyone else looking to count steps or get in a quick walk.
I have to say, since my last edition, Snohomish County has really come a long way in the trails realm. Regional trails have expanded considerably, thanks in part to the great work of Snohomish County Parks staff, with much more currently in the hopper. Everett and the Port have made enormous strides creating an attractive, highly walkable waterfront. Other communities have also added new trails in recent years, while ongoing restoration of the Snohomish River estuary has included many miles of excellent paths for walking, biking and birding.
In the mountains, especially along the Mountain Loop Highway, major trail upgrades and reconstruction projects at Big Four, Lake 22, Mount Pilchuck and elsewhere have helped address severe erosion and other problems resulting from heavy use. Even the scenic Boulder and Greider Lakes Trails, nearly lost and forgotten, have been resuscitated by the DNR. And Washington Trails Association volunteers continue to work their magic on countless trails all across the region.
Yes, road conditions still suck in many remote areas (high-clearance will usually suffice), but land managers are slowly making headway against overwhelming maintenance backlogs. More frequent wildfires have also thrown a wrench in the works, although we seem to be skating through this year, at least on the wetter side of the range.
One of my hopes with this update is to encourage folks to move past the more popular trails and discover what else is out there. In other words, spread ourselves out a little. There’s a lot of superb hiking out there, so enjoy, and as always, leave no trace. (And yes, I did hike it all!)
Happy trails! —Ken
We’ll be getting it.