15 trails you can enjoy in a wheelchair

In my next life, I’m going to write a wheelchair-accessible guide to Washington state, answering all the questions that I asked for this column.

I learned that going by ADA- or wheelchair-accessible isn’t enough. Paved is great but is gravel OK? Crushed rock? Packed dirt (what if it rains)? Has the description on the website changed? Are there accessible bathrooms? What’s the grade of the path?

If you’re looking for an accessible trail, ask those questions before you go. And check whether you need a Discover Pass, a Northwest Forest Pass, a Golden Access Passport, Vehicle Access Pass or some other pass to park and roll.

I’ve skipped over the obvious (Snohomish County Centennial Trail, Interurban Trail, the Burke-Gilman Trail) in favor of a more typical ‘outdoors’ experience. Here are some options:

Miners Corner: Near Bothell, it’s Snohomish County’s first 100 percent universally accessible park, including a play area and a network of paved paths and sidewalks including about a half-mile perimeter loop. Snohomish County, 425-388-6600; www.snocoparks.org.

North Creek Park: Near Mill Creek, it’s a 1.1-mile level gravel path to a floating boardwalk through wetlands with a view of a peat bog plus an excellent chance to see wildlife. The boardwalk was upgraded two years ago. The path is part of the much longer North Creek Trail. 425-388-6600; www.snocoparks.org.

Lowell Riverfront Trail: A 1.6-mile paved path along the Snohomish River and a chance to see birds, otters and other wildlife. Everett Parks, 425-257-8300.

Youth-on-Age Trail: Take a self-guided interpretive walk on a 0.4-mile paved trail through the forest, plus side trails. Darrington Ranger District, 360-436-1155.

Old Sauk Trail: A barrier-free gravel loop trail goes through old- and mature-growth forest and by the Sauk River. Darrington Ranger District, 360-436-1155.

Iron Goat Trail: Several barrier-free interpretive crushed-rock sections with benches and gentle grades over the abandoned Great Northern Railway. Accessible outhouses at both ends of the trail. Skykomish Ranger District, 360-677-2414; www.irongoat.org.

Deception Falls Trail: About a 0.2-mile paved, accessible trail to a viewpoint of the falls. Skykomish Ranger District, 360-677-2414

Artist Ridge: A paved path leads about 300 feet to a scenic overlook with a spotting scope and impressive views. Interpretive signs explain the natural and cultural history. Glacier Ranger District, 360-599-2714.

Fire and Ice Trail: The half-mile loop goes through meadows; paved trail the first ¼ mile, then packed gravel. Signs tell the story of the landscape created by volcanic eruptions and Ice Age glaciers. Glacier Ranger District, 360-599-2714.

Picture Lake: The half-mile pavement-and-boardwalk path in Heather Meadows leads to a viewpoint with a spotting scope and, on a good day, the reflection of Mount Shuksan in the lake. Glacier Ranger District, 360-599-2714.

Shadow of the Sentinels: The interpretive center provides access to the half-mile asphalt-and-boardwalk trail through a dense old-growth forest. Mount Baker Ranger District, 360-856-5700.

Rainy Lake: Roll on a nearly level 1-mile path to a viewpoint of the alpine lake with jade-colored waters and its high cliffs; off the North Cascades Highway. Okanogan-Wenatchee Ranger District, 509-664-9200.

Happy Creek Trail (Ross Dam): A .3-mile loop on a boardwalk through an ancient forest with signs, accessible parking and toilet; half is an easy grade, the other half 5 percent to 8 percent. North Cascades National Park, 360-854-7200, www.nps.gov/noca.

Rockport State Park: Wheelchairs can go about a mile from the day-use area to the Skagit River, with picnic tables and benches along the way. One very short grade on the way back. 360-826-3942.

Shore Trail: The 2 ¼-mile paved and hard-packed gravel path along Padilla Bay is a birdwatcher’s destination with a paved and hard-packed gravel path along Padilla Bay. Interpretive Center has the key to the wheelchair gate. Breazeale Interpretive Center, 360-428-1558.

The Snohomish County Tourism Bureau (www.snohomish.org) has a downloadable hiking guide that can help sort out accessible options. A printed version is being updated.

Columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com.