Bob 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 to the junction with SR 96 (Lowell-Larimer Road). Turn left here onto Broadway Ave and after .8 mile bear left onto Connelly Road. Continue for another .8 mile to Preserve parking area and trailhead located on your left.

Good to Know: kid-friendly, snow free winter hike, exceptional bird watching

One of the prettiest and wildest spots along the Snohomish River, the 343-acre Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve at Thomas Eddy nearly met a much different fate. For many years Teamsters Union president Dave Beck Jr. ran a gravel mine at the eddy. He then sold the property to a family that raised livestock on the surrounding floodplain. After that operation, plans were made to subdivide this flood prone property into a large housing development. That would have been devastating to the thousands of migratory birds that use this river stretch for wintering and a big blow to the anglers that used this property to catch steelhead.

The Snohomish Sportsmen Association led by Bob Heirman rallied to have this property preserved, ultimately leading to its acquisition by Snohomish County Parks. And not only was this great news to the area’s fishermen and women, but also to area birdwatchers and hikers as well. Trumpeter swan winter here. Herons, harriers, ducks, mergansers, eagles, hawks, sandpipers, woodpeckers, swallows, warblers, tanagers, orioles, and goldfinches can all be spotted here.

Most of the property is floodplain and during the winter months is saturated. Avoid the preserve when flooded. From the trailhead follow an old road now serving as the preserve’s central trail down a short but steep bluff to wetlands abutting the Snohomish River. Here a short (and overgrown) side trail takes off left to cloud reflecting oxbow pond Shadow Lake. It teems with birdlife. During the winter months it bursts with ducks, grebes and swans. Another smaller pond to the right of the main trail also teems with abundant avian activity.

The main trail continues across marshy meadows to a dike. Here the way bends left and follows alongside the Snohomish River continuing downstream taking in good views north across the river of Lord Hill. The trail here is growing over and can use some brushing—so consider wearing long pants as you work your way through the emerging jungle. Also, recent flooding has deposited some very large logs across the trail in one section requiring some use of hands to negotiate them. The trail then bends right to traverse a damp poplar flat and groves of large cottonwoods reaching a sprawling gravel flat along the river at Thomas Eddy  When the river flow is low, take time to explore the shoreline here.

For more detailed information on this hike and many more in western Snohomish County, consult my best selling Urban Trails Everett book. Book also includes parks and trails on Whidbey and Camano Islands. Get your copy today!