Hike of the Week: Lord Hill

A stark row of alders awaits November hikers at Lord Hill Park

Lord Hill

A hiking Eden on the Snohomish River





by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin

November 4, 2005

Quick Facts
Location: Snohomish Valley
Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks
Roundtrip: 2.2 miles Beaver Lake Loop
3.5 miles West View Loop
5.2 miles To Snohomish River
Elevation gain: 200 feet, 400 feet, 800 feet
Access: From Snohomish follow the Old Snohomish-Monroe Highway 2.5 miles west to 127th Ave SE. Turn south (right) and follow 127th Ave SE for 2 miles to park entrance and trailhead.

Pocket Wilderness, Backyard Wilderness, and Urban Wilderness-all appropriate descriptions of the sprawling forested ridge known as Lord Hill. Snohomish County’s Lord Hill Regional Park protects over 1,300 acres of this emerald upland located right on the Snohomish River halfway between the cities of Monroe and Snohomish.
The park’s location alone, situated within easy reach of hundreds of thousands of urban and suburban dwellers, makes it an attractive place. But Lord Hill is a place of natural beauty too, with placid ponds, Snohomish River frontage, scenic lookouts, and thick forests. Its large and varied habitats also support a wide array of wildlife, including bear, cougar, and bobcat.
There are over six miles of trail within the park and several more miles of old woods roads. Lots of loop options exist from short leg stretchers to all-day explorations. Three good suggestions follow-all begin from the park trailhead.

Beaver Lake Loop: Head down the main trail through a cool forest of big trees to a junction. Turn left on the Beaver Lake Trail and follow through a tunnel of alders to the marshy body of water called Beaver Lake. Take a right on the Pipeline Cut-off Trail, then another right on the Main Trail and return to the parking lot.
West View Loop: Head down the main trail through a cool forest of big trees to a junction. Turn right following the main trail .3 mile to a junction. Head right on the West View Trail. In one mile come to a 650-ft knoll with a splendid view that includes Mount Baker. Take the loop trail back to the West View Trail and retrace your steps back to the parking lot.
To Snohomish River: Head down the main trail through a cool forest of big trees to a junction. Turn right and follow the Main Trail for 1.25 miles to the River Trail. The River Trail drops several hundred feet in one mile delivering you to the Snohomish River. Retrace your route or return via the Pipeline Trail for a 6 mile loop.