Dogs Leashed
Features
Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring
Deer hunting in the main portion of Island Center Forest is permitted for a short period, typically in the second half of October. During this time, the trails are closed to non-hunters. Signs will be placed at trailheads, but if visiting during this period, it's a good idea to check King County's website at
kingcounty.gov/services/par…. The Natural and Gateway Areas, east of
Landtrust Trail, remain open.
Description
One of Island Center Forest's longest routes, yet still under a mile,
North Trail runs along the boundary of the trail system.
The path begins halfway through
Borrow Pit Loop's eastern side, marked by a sign. A winding dirt singletrack, made a bit bumpy from underlying rocks but well-cushioned by fallen pine needles, it weaves through the trees. Fast and free-flowing, the initial section is one of the area's steepest declines – but as with the length, that's a relative comparison, as the grade never exceeds a meager 10%.
A clearing emerges a few hundred feet into the trail, near one of the area's information signs on new forest growth. Afterwards,
North Trail spends most of its time in semi-dense tree cover, with ample openings to the sun and sky above. The trees here are both old growth and new, leafy and pine.
The shortcuts at
West Fork and
East Fork are unmarked but easy to see. Two or three more branch off to the left, but these are all connections to private residential property, so stay on course. As the path turns south a little after the half mile point, the trees close in, blocking out the sky. A few scattered baseball-sized rocks creep onto the trail as well, but it's still an easy journey.
North Trail ends in the middle of the park at the three-way intersection with
Middle Fork and
Techmo.
Flora & Fauna
Originally a state-owned area logged to provide revenue for Washington's education system, Island Center Forest was passed to King County Parks in 2002 as a model for sustainable forest management. Owing to its history, the area exhibits a mix of both old growth and restoration areas. Many local tree species grow here, including enormous firs and one of the Island's largest areas of quaking aspens.
Animal life includes smaller woodland creatures and deer, but the biggest draw to Island Forest is the wide variety of birds, more than eighty species in all. The wetland areas around Mukai and Meadowlake Ponds draw bird watchers from around the region.
Contacts
Shared By:
Brendan Ross
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