Hike of the Week: Spencer Island

The Jacknife Bridge allows hikers to cut to Spencer Island's scenery

Spencer Island

A Slough of Surprises Await You




by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin

April 21, 2006

Quick Facts
Location: Snohomish River Delta, Everett
Land Agency: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Snohomish County Parks
Roundtrip: 3.5 miles
Elevation gain: 50 feet
Access: From Everett follow SR 529 north. Cross the Snohomish River and turn right onto Smith Island Road. Follow to Langus Riverfront Park. Park here and walk east on 4th Street SE to the Jackknife Bridge to Spencer Island
Notes: Dogs must be leashed.

Spencer Island sits in the heart of the Snohomish River Estuary, a wildlife rich ecosystem where salt and fresh water mix. Surrounded by snaking sloughs, this 400-acre island offers hikers a slew of surprises. Much of the island was once farmland, but has since been reclaimed as wildlife habitat. Under the management of Snohomish County Parks and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, many of the old dikes were breached, allowing a good portion of the island to return to wetlands.
From the trailhead, cross Union Slough on the old Jackknife Bridge to access the island. Now turn north (or south) and hike a wood bark trail on a dike that follows the periphery of the island. It’s a 3.5 mile loop, but you can shorten it or create a longer figure-eight course by utilizing the Cross Dike Trail which also takes off from the bridge.
No matter your route though, you’re sure to observe plenty of wildlife. Birds are prolific. Watch for hawks, harriers, widgeons, ruddy and wood ducks, and scores of shorebirds. Bald eagles are frequent visitors too. River otters, coyotes, and deer all reside on the island also.
The scenery too will captivate you. An old barn and relics of the island’s farming days grace Spencer. Mount Pilchuck hovers in the distance. It’s hard to fathom that downtown Everett is a mere three miles away.

Spencer Island is one of the highlighted hikes in the new and free 32-page color brochure, Hiking Snohomish County, published by the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau. Look for it at area visitor’s centers.