A busy year on the Whitehorse Trail, past present and future

2014 was a year of great progress on the Whitehorse Trail, and it just keeps getting better.

At the very end of 2013 the CTCSC was proud to help fund improvements on the "Tin Bridge", the first bridge along the trail as one leaves The Centennial Trail and heads along the old rail line towards Darrington.

A year ago we were hopefully thinking of some steady slow progress along the trail, maybe a few more bridges decked and ready for use, maybe some critically need brushing in a few more areas.

Last summer we saw a huge improvement with the tremendous brushing and trail crossing improvements from Oso to Darrington.  Places that looked like this weed choked segment near Swede Heaven Road:

 

Were converted into long stretches of wide open and accessible trail with new improved access at road crossings for both the public and the maintenance crews. 

Snohomish County Parks has shown a serious and comprehensive commitment to getting the trail open and to fixing existing and developing problems.  This washout near Darrington was repaired so that people and bikes and horses can now pass:

This past winter there was a worsening of a spot along the trail in Oso where Deer Creek rushes right next to the trail.  Thanks to the recent brushing, Snohomish County Parks quickly saw that both the trail and State Route 530 were in danger of collapse, and they quickly worked with other agencies to prevent further erosion:

The list of activity is still growing!  Thanks to an incredibly generous private donation and continued work by Snohomish County Public Works, four more bridges are now ready for use, one is in progress getting repaired and decked, and Snohomish County Parks is working to get all of the remaining bridges repaired.

 

The Whitehorse Trail promises to be a great addition for long distance non-motorized recreation in Snohomish County.  The Centennial Trail Coalition is continuing to advocate for expansion of the network of trails that connect with the Centennial Trail with beautiful opportunities for hikers, bike riders, and equestrian recreation throughout the area.  Join us in sharing your ideas and suggestions.  We would love to see you at our next General Meeting, Thursday, March 26, 6:30pm – 8:30pm at the Stillaguamish Conference Room, 154 W Cox Ave. Arlington Public Welcome, bring questions, comments, suggestions.