Snohomish County Legacy Forest Walk

LFDC, the League of Women Voters of Snohomish County, and Sno-Isle Sierra Club invite you to explore a legacy forest targeted by DNR's "Next Regeneration" timber sale.

Just outside Darrington, between the Sauk River and Squire Creek, DNR’s “Next Regeneration” timber sale threatens to clearcut over 86 acres of forest. Unlike industrial tree plantations, much of this forest is structurally complex and retains the biodiversity of natural forests once dominant in the Pacific Northwest. The area has naturally regenerated after being selectively logged, resulting in a carbon-dense mix of western redcedar, Douglas fir, hemlock, Sitka spruce, Pacific yew and maple. Trees over four-and-a-half feet thick tower above emerging understories and blankets of mahonia, ferns, prince’s pine, and salal. Arches of vine maple frame stunning views of nearby Whitehorse Mountain. Wildlife habitat and mushrooms abound thanks to snags, uprooted trees, and decaying nurse logs. This is truly an old-growth forest in the making.

“Next Regeneration" is scheduled for auction in January 2026. Come experience this rare ecosystem firsthand, share ideas, and join the growing movement to protect legacy forests across Snohomish County!

When: Saturday, October 5th at 12pm

Where: We’ll meet on the south side of Old School Park (1026 Alvord St, Darrington, WA 98241) and carpool a few minutes to the timber sale.

What: Expect a 1.3-mile walk on (mostly flat) gravel along the timber sale boundary, followed by an optional off-trail hike in the woods for a more immersive experience.

Please bring water, snacks, shoes to hike in and the appropriate layers in case of rain.