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Whitehorse Regional Trail (Phase 3 Improvements)
Trail Corridor
Spanning over 27 miles between the City of Arlington and the Town of Darrington, the Whitehorse Regional Trail follows the path of the former BNSF railroad through the North Stillaguamish River Valley. The trail meanders through the valley from its junction with the Centennial Regional Trail in Arlington, frequently paralleling SR 530 and the North Fork Stillaguamish River. The backcountry corridor rewards visitors with picturesque, landscape views of forests, farmland, streams and rivers, and mountain vistas.
There are currently two closures on the Whitehorse Trail. The first is between the Centennial Trail connection and the Trafton Trailhead. The second is just west of 435th Ave NE near Darrington. These closures are due to landslides and river washouts. The remainder of the trail is open to the public and much of the trail has recently been resurfaced with compacted gravel.
PHASE 3 IMPROVEMENTS
Updated 10/13/23
CURRENT STATUS
Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback with us at our public meeting and through our survey this spring! We had over 20 people share their thoughts with us at our public meeting and via the online survey. If you were unable to attend the meeting, a copy of the presentation slides has been added under the Documents tab.
Snohomish County Parks & Recreation is excited to continue the design for the Phase 3 improvements to complete the gaps in the trail corridor and connect the Whitehorse Trail to the Centennial Trail. Work will include stabilizing the landslide at the west end of the trail, surfacing improvements to the first three miles of the trail, and rerouting the trail around the bank failure near 435th Ave.
- Conceptual design completed Spring 2023
- Preferred design direction selected
- The team is now developing construction documents, working towards 60% design, and submitting for permits.
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Negotiate with adjacent landowner for potential easement acquisition to build preferred trail alignment
- Meet with Snohomish County Planning and Development Services (PDS) to review permits and studies needed; meet with other local agencies and tribal partners to introduce project
- Begin development of technical construction documents
The Phase 3 improvements will complete the gaps in the trail corridor and connect the Whitehorse Trail to the Centennial Trail.
Work will include stabilizing the landslide at the west end of the trail, surfacing improvements to the first three miles of trail, and rerouting the trail around the bank failure near 435th Ave. If additional budget becomes available after addressing the gaps in the trail, additional user improvements may be included along the corridor, such as signage or trailhead improvements.
OVERVIEW
Future projects will be completed as funding is available
- Resurfacing of 7 miles of trail from Swede Heaven Road to Price Street Trailhead in Darrington - on hold for funding;
- Replacement of Bridge 713 - on hold for funding;
- Repair/Replacement of Bridge 710 - on hold for funding;
- Develop trail connection to Whitehorse Community Park and establish trailhead - on hold for funding;
- Develop Miller Shingle Mill trailhead and fly-fishing museum - on hold for funding;
- Develop trail connection to Squire Creek Campground and establish trailhead - on hold for funding;
- Cultural Resource studies and partnerships with the Stillaguamish and Sauk-Suiattle Tribes for interpretive sites - on hold for funding;
- Camping Improvements at the Fortson Mill trailhead - on hold for funding;
- Camping Improvements at Whitehorse Community Park - Underway;
- Camping Improvements at Squire Creek Campground - on hold for funding.
All acquisitions, plans and site developments are subject to funding availability and subject to Snohomish County Executive and County Council approval.
- SR 530 Whitehorse Trail Rebuild - Public Works project page
- "Work to begin on another 9.5 miles of Whitehorse Trail" - Everett Herald article published December 29, 2015
- "Crews rebuilding Whitehorse Trail section destroyed by Oso mudslide" - Everett Herald article published July 19, 2016
- "Whitehorse Trail at Oso mudslide rebuilt, to open next year" -Everett Herald article published November 21, 2016
"Whitehorse Trail showing signs of rebirth after Oso mudslide" -Everett Herald article published April 2, 2017
Project Contact
Emily Griffith, Senior Park Planner
6705 Puget Park Drive
Snohomish, WA 98296
(425) 388-6620