Scriber Lake–Wetland Wonder in the heart of Lynnwood
Quick Facts:
Location: Lynnwood
Land Agency: City of Lynnwood Parks and Recreation
Roundtrip: 1.2 miles
Elevation gain: none
Difficulty: Easy
Contact: Lynnwood Parks and Recreation Department; (425-771-4030)
Notes: Dogs must be leashed
Access: From Seattle take I-5 to exit 181. Turn left onto 44th Ave NW. At third light turn left onto SR 524 (196th Street SW) and proceed for about one mile turning left onto Scriber Lake Road. Soon afterwards turn left onto 198th Street SW and come to Scriber Lake Park in a .25 mile. From Everett take I-5 to exit 181 and follow SR 524 west 1.5 miles to Scriber Lake Road.
Good to know: kid-friendly, interpretive, bird-watching, historic, dog-friendly, snow-free winter hike
Who would imagine that lying right in the center of Lynnwood’s sea of stores, restaurants and commercial developments is a wildlife rich wetland complex of pond, peat bog and streams? But there is! Wedged between bustling boulevards is little Scriber Lake, a surprisingly delightful natural area graced with good trails, interpretive signage and wildlife-themed wrought iron park benches. Perfect for late afternoon strolls and early morning jaunts, Scriber Lake is also an ideal destination for inquisitive children.
Here on winding paths that circle the lake, young naturalists will be able to scan the shoreline and its swampy surrounding thickets of shrubbery for a myriad of wading and nesting birds, scurrying small mammals and insect-craving amphibians. Both paved and soft surface trails traverse the park. And while the hike around the lake is short, paved trails that diverge to Wilcox and Scriber Creek Parks offer extended hiking. In fact, the Scriber Creek Trail intersects with the paved Interurban Trail which extends for more than 15 miles from Everett to Mountlake Terrace.
No matter the distance you choose to hike however, you’ll want to linger long on the floating boardwalk that protrudes into Scriber Lake. Here you can be entertained by whimsical waterfowl and admire a small corner of Lynnwood that has virtually remained the same since the time Peter Schrieber homesteaded it in the 1890s.
For more detailed information on this hike and many other great trails in western Snohomish County as well as Whidbey and Camano Islands, pick up my Urban Hikes Everett Book!
