Name a trail in Washington state and odds are excellent Craig Romano has hiked it. In fact, he’s likely hiked it multiple times and written about it in one of his books. He may even have helped map it for Green Trail Maps.
Romano also has a young son — who, I imagine, by age 5 will have hiked more miles than most people do in a lifetime.
I love Romano’s books and articles on hiking, so I gave him a call to chat about good family hikes. With weather showing the promise of summer, it’s time to think about getting outside. Here are some of Romano’s family-friendly suggestions:
Osprey Park: Along the Sultan River, this park offers a couple miles of interpretive trails. In 2012, Snohomish County Public Utility District started work to improve salmon habitat in the area as part of their license to operate a dam and hydropower plant upstream. The PUD created side channels along the river for better salmon habitat. Now trails wind through the area and lots of bridges cross the channel.
“You can just weave around and go over the bridges,” Romano said. “Kids will definitely enjoy that.”
Later in the season — not now, when rivers are fast and cold — Romano says there are areas for kids to splash in the water.
Info: www.snohomish.org/explore/detail/osprey-park
Spencer Island: Just a few minutes from Everett, Spencer Island also offers trails that wind along close to water. It’s great for wildlife watching and the trails are flat and easy to navigate for all ages.
Info: www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/spencer-island
Deception Pass: “Deception Pass is another of my favorite places with beaches and there’s old growth. There are cliffs, you have to be careful there, but kids will feel like they’re on top of the world,” Romano said. There are many options for hikes and a state park with camping.
Info: Parks.state.wa.us/497 Deception-Pass
Padilla Bay Shore Trail: This trail is perfectly flat and just a short drive from Snohomish County. The trail runs along the bay and at low tide the mudflats are exposed, Romano said. There are many birds in the area, an old barn, active farmland and views of the water and mountains. After walking the trail, head over to the interpretive center.
Info: www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/padilla-bay
River Meadows County Park: “River Meadows is a really nice park, but it’s off the radar for people,” Romano said.
The park near Arlington offers several miles of trails, including a loop trail. The Stillagaumish Tribe hold its salmon festival at the park.
There are also yurts available for rent and camping on the site.
Info: http://tinyurl.com/rivermeadows
Poulsbo Fish Park: Another park with a fish theme is Poulsbo Fish Park. It’s a new park on Dogfish Bay at the site of an old homestead. It’s not far from the ferry in Kingston.
“It’s a small park but there are all these trails with boardwalks and interpretive panels and fish sculptures,” Romano said. “It’s a really cool park.”
Info: http://tinyurl.com/fishpark
Guillemot Cove Nature Reserve: Near Seabeck, this is a great park for kids to explore. It would be a good trip to combine with a trip to the Poulsbo Fish Park, Romano said. There’s beach access and an old beach house. There’s also a huge old cedar tree, Romano said, that was hollowed out and used as housing during The Depression. “You can still go in there,” he said. “Kids love it.”
Info: http://tinyurl.com/guillemotcove
Greenway: Near Hansville, also on the Kitsap Peninsula, there are more than 10 miles of trails that connect. You can walk out to Point No Point Lighthouse on a beautiful beach. On a clear day, you can see back to Snohomish County, including a good view of Three Fingers.
Info: hansvillegreenway.org
Guemes Island: For this trip, Romano recommends parking in Anacortes and walking onto the ferry for $3. After the 10-minute crossing, take a quiet road walk to Guemes Mountain and follow the trail to the top. For a longer day, explore the beaches near the ferry.
Info: www.guemesisland.info
Crescent Lake: At the confluence of the Snoqualime and Skykomish rivers, south of Monroe, this a flat area with sloughs that run through it with about 2 miles of trails.It’s a great place for seeing birds. It’s also popular for wildfowl hunting, although the season is over until the fall. “It’s kind of an off the beaten path place,” Romano said.
Info: hikeoftheweek.com/Crescent_Lake.html
Jessi Loerch: 425-399-3046; jloerch@heraldnet.com; www.heraldnet.com/explorenw.
Craig Romano
Find out more about Craig Romano, his books and his other projects at http://craigromano.com.
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