Techmo

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Spring

Techmo begins at a signed three-way intersection with Middle Fork and North Trail. The path is a spacious singletrack, occasionally widening to double, with dispersed obstacles typical to Vashon Island: roots and smooth stones. This is an easy route, and for the most part is very well maintained.

As Techmo proceeds, it alternates between thick fir and cedar filled woods and spread-out areas of newer growth. There's a lot of variety here, and the sense of solitude is great.

Techmo ends at the dirt road extension of 115th Avenue. Signs point the way to 115th Bypass fifty feet ahead, and the "trail" segment of 115th, which leads to the Mukai Trailhead.

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.