R ecreation BIRDING
CYCLING
NORTHERN STATE RECREATION AREA
The Skagit Valley offers plenty of delights for bird-watchers in winter, when thousands of snow geese and swans visit. Farther east, the county is known as a terrific place to view eagles. Skagit Eagle Festival is a monthlong celebration that takes place every weekend in January with activities in Concrete, Rockport and Marblemount. The annual Edison Bird Festival in late February includes guided birding trips, bird-inspired art shows and a chicken parade that begins in front of The Edison Inn in the heart of town. The Skagit Audubon Society’s list of recommended sites includes:
For cyclists seeking long stretches of open road, the Skagit Flats is the place to put rubber to pavement. From the flats to the mountain passes of the North Cascades, the area is a haven for numerous bird species. Migrating snow geese and tundra and trumpeter swans winter over in the valley’s farm fields. In the southern half of the flats, roads meander through 35 miles of farmland and dike districts. Skagit County bike maps are available at local chambers of commerce.
Location: Sedro-Woolley Distance: 4 miles Getting there: North of Highway 20 on Helmick Road east of Sedro-Woolley. Notable: Trail is on the grounds of what was once the farming operations at Northern State Hospital. Pass historic buildings and cruise alongside Hansen Creek. Pedal through massive meadows and thick forest.
Best fall to spring. Many raptors, waterfowl and passerines.
SKAGIT FLATS ON FIR ISLAND Best fall to spring. It is a good place to see snow geese, trumpeter and tundra swans and raptors.
SKAGIT BAY, SKAGIT WILDLIFE AREA There are plenty of species to see in the Wylie Slough Area, the Jensen Access and the North Fork Access.
WASHINGTON PARK, ANACORTES Best fall through spring. This is a great spot for seabird watching.
PADILLA BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE, PADILLA BAY Make time for a tour of the exhibits and fish tanks at the Breazeale Interpretive Center, open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
skagitvisitor.com
w April, La Conner w tulipfestival.org
Ride on your own past flowers and fields on 20-, 40- and 60-mile routes.
BIKE MS: DECEPTION PASS CLASSIC w Early September w main.nationalmssociety.org
Two-day journey through Skagit, Whatcom and Island counties. As many as 2,000 riders will cruise along scenic figure-eight courses ranging from 22 to 97 miles each day. Benefits multiple sclerosis research and programs.
MOUNTAIN BIKE ROUTES CASCADE TRAIL
Location: Burlington Distance: 10.2 miles Getting there: Parking is available at the corner of Ovenell Road and Higgins Airport Way, or the corner of Josh Wilson Road and Higgins Airport Way. Notable: Gravel trail system runs through a chunk of Port of Skagit property. It winds through forest, along roadways and around wetlands.
Skagit County Fair August 8-11, 2018 • Carnival • Live Music • Hypnotist • Magician • Eating Contests
• Farm Animals • Arena Events • Wenatchee Youth Circus • Kid’s Zone Events • Traditional Fair Food
Location: Sedro-Woolley Distance: 22.5 miles Getting there: Numerous places to park along Highway 20. Notable: A rails-to-trails effort, the Cascade Trail runs from Sedro-Woolley to Concrete.
Don’t miss our twice Annual Garage Sales, April 13 & 14 and September 21 & 22! www.skagitcounty.net/fairgrounds 360-416-1350 • Fairgrounds@co.skagit.wa.us
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SAMISH FLATS, BETWEEN PADILLA BAY AND ALICE BAY
EVENTS TULIP PEDAL
PORT OF SKAGIT TRAILS
SKAGIT COUNTY Visitors & Newcomers Guide 21