Evans Creek Preserve
A glimpse of the Eastside pre-Microsoft
Quick Facts:
Location: Sammamish
Land Agency: Sammamish Parks and Recreation
Distance: 3.5 miles of trails
Elevation Gain: up to 475 feet
Contact: Sammamish Parks and Recreation
Detailed Information: Urban Trails Eastside (Mountaineers Books)
Notes: Dogs permitted on leash
Access: From Redmond Head east on SR 202 for 4.0 miles and turn right onto 224th Ave NE. Come to trailhead in 0.1 mile.
Good to Know: kid-friendly, dog-friendly snow-free winter hikes,
Located within the Evans Creek Valley east of Redmond, this 179-acre preserve was once like much of this valley—farm land. Take a hike here and catch a glimpse of what much of the Eastside looked like before Microsoft was founded in 1975. Unlike many of the parks that were recently established in these parts, Evans Creek emphasizes the word, preserve. You won’t find ballparks here and many amenities. No mountain bikes to dodge either—they’re prohibited here. What you will find is thanks to the Washington Trails Association—a well-built network of trails with signpost maps at each junction. You’ll also find meadows, mature forest, lush ravines, and tumbling creeks all providing exceptional habitat. Deer are common residents and black bears are occasionally seen here.
From the parking area, a wide trail (formerly a farm road) which is suitable for wheelchairs and jogging strollers descends to a bridge across Evans Creek. It then emerges at junction number one at the edge of a meadow. There are 15 signed junctions in the preserve, all displaying a map and making it easy to be orientated with your location. The ADA trail makes a small loop along the edge of the meadow passing a few picnic tables along the way.
Three trails branch off of the meadow loop heading for the woodlands. Weave through groves of big firs and cottonwoods. Another set of trails depart from the woodlands trails to comprise of the hillside trails. These trails traverse steep slopes and cross ravine cradling creeks on sturdy bridges. The hillside trails with their lush and luxuriant surrounding vegetation will have you thinking you’re somewhere in the Cascades. Have fun exploring the trails in this lovely preserve.
For detailed descriptions (including maps) for this preserve as well many other great hiking destinations (60 in all) on Seattle’s Eastside, pick up a copy of my best selling and packed with adventure Urban Trails Eastside (Mountaineers Books).
