Hiking With Reservations - Kukutali Preserve

On Sunday, we headed down to Skagit Valley for a day to look at the tulips!

Pretty colors!

I've had my eye on Kukutali Preserve for a few weeks now, so we went to La Conner, crossed the bridge to the Swinomish Reservation, and headed out to find this nice short hike.

Kukutali Preserve

Parking permit: Discover Pass ($10 a day or $30 a year)

Distance: 1 mile round-trip

Elevation gain: 160'

This preserve is unique in that it's the first nature preserve that's jointly managed by tribal and state governments. It was private property until June of last year when the state parks department and Swinomish tribe teamed up to open it to the public. The two governments don't always work together so well, so it's nice to see them cooperating. State involvement does mean, however, that you'll need a Discover Pass (there is a pay station at the trailhead if needed).

Since it's a preserve, it's hiker only. So no pets, no horses, not even bicycles.

The first challenge is to find the trailhead. Google shows you there's parking at the corner of Snee-Oosh Rd and Kiket Island Rd. This would not be so difficult if Kiket Island Rd had any sort of marking.

Here is the the turn-off for the road:

We actually drove past it twice before we finally caught it. It's just a gravel road that looks more like a private drive (and really, that's what it properly is).

It is just south of Snee Oosh Ln and Flagstaff Rd, so if you can find those, just head a little south and keep your eyes peeled, and I promise you'll find it.

Port-a-potty at the trailhead

From the trailhead, you'll head down the gravel road and work your way around the gate and past a couple houses.

You can follow the gravel drive out across a trombolo to Kiket Island.

I thought this gnarly-looking tree was pretty cool.

We found evidence of an old gate, leftovers from when the island was private land.

The island also has electricity and water hook-ups, so it seems like it was slated for development at some point. But for now, it's being left as a nature preserve.

Caught the husband for a pic!

It would serve you well to pay attention to the maps. The south tidelands are accessible, but the northern ones are off-limits. Also, there's no shellfish harvesting; it's for tribal-members only and even they need to get permits from the Swinomish government.

Kiket Trail remains a gravel road that runs down the island, however North Trail and South Trail each branch off for some more primitive trail hiking. We took North Trail out and South Trail back.

One thing about Skagit County is that daffodils seem to escape from the fields and grow everywhere. We saw some in the llama field next to Roozengarde and I've seen them in the median along Highway 20. However, it was still very surprising to see some in the middle of the woods along North Trail!

"Wild" daffodils

North Trail is where you will get most of your elevation gain. The island peaks out around 160' and it's a gradual climb, so it's very easy, short hike.

Bit of North Trail

There was also evidence of an old forest fire. It's likely at least a century old but you can still see some scorch marks, as is common around the region.

Scorched fir

There was also some evidence of humans harvesting cedar bark. I'm not sure if they got permission from the tribal government. Whoever it was clearly knew what they were doing though, and the tree is unharmed.

Don't do this unless you know what you're actually doing, lest you risk killing the tree.

I've attempted cedar-bark weaving in the past, and could never even get it off the tree the right way, let alone work it into something soft and weave-able.

Another pic of the husband

There's a mini look-out along North Trail that gives a decent peek-a-boo view of Deception Pass:

Eventually we met back up with Kiket Trail near the west end of the island. This large lawn was near where the utilities seemed to end. Someone probably wanted to develop here at some point. I can't say I blame them; it's a pretty nice spot.

Admit it, this would make a nice yard.

I still appreciate that it's a preserve though, so that I can go out and enjoy it!

There's active ecological research going on, with signs to remind you:

You can take Kiket Trail all the way out to another trombolo to Flagstaff Island. Flagstaff Island itself is barred from hikers though, as the meadow would be easily trampled and they want to preserve the ecosystem there.