Eagle Trail─Come celebrate Arlington’s Eagle Festival on this hike along the Stillaguamish River

Quick Facts

Location: Arlington

Land Agency: City of Arlington Parks and Recreation

Roundtrip: 1.7 miles

Elevation Gain: none

Special Note: Dogs permitted on leash.

Access: From Exit 208 on I-5 head east on SR 530 for 4.0 miles to junction with SR 9 in Arlington. Continue east on SR 530 for another 0.1 mile turning left (just after crossing the Centennial Trail) on West Ave. Proceed north 0.1 mile to Haller Park.

Contact: City of Arlington Parks and Recreation: (360) 403-3448; www.arlingtonwa.gov

What better way to celebrate this year’s Arlington-Stillaguamish Eagle Festival than by hiking along the Stillaguamish in Arlington?! On a trail named, Eagle, too?! And it’s a new trail connecting to an even newer trail in a restored wetland area. Will there be any eagles there this weekend? Probably, and more than likely ospreys, kingfishers, and herons as well! You can venture out on this new trail anytime on your own, or come this Saturday, February 4th at 9 am for a guided hike with Bill Blake, city of Arlington’s Natural Resources Manager.

Start from Haller Park and head left through a bridge beneath SR 9. Emerge on the west side of the highway into the new storm water wetland area named the Old Town Wetland Park. Soon you’ll reach a junction. The Eagle Trail continues straight for a half mile along a grassy dike granting excellent views of the Stillaguamish River. The trail left makes about a half mile loop through the heart of the wetland.

Take the loop first. The wetland was designed to filter storm water runoff before draining into the Stillaguamish River. Native plants here help capture pollutants and filter the runoff minimizing non-point pollution into the river system. The trail makes a pleasant loop here meandering by an osprey perch.

After your wetland wanderings, head back to the Eagle Trail and follow it west to its terminus. The trail is short but you’ll be spending plenty of time along the way scanning riverside cottonwoods for perched eagles. Scan the gravel beds too for our majestic national symbol. The Stillaguamish Watershed supports one of the largest concentrations of wintering bald eagles in the Lower 48. Eagles return to the river each winter from Alaska to feed on spawning salmon. They’ll also vary their diet by visiting the nearby agricultural fields to dine on some snow geese, which also winter here from Alaska.

There will be all kinds of events going on during the festival where you can learn more about these beautiful birds. Check them out, after you’ve hiked along the Eagle Trail and have hopefully made some keen observations.

For information on lodging and other attractions near the Eagle Trail visit www.snohomish.org