Whitehorse Trail Development – Phase 2

Category Overview

Trails grants help communities and recreation areas fund the creation and improvement of trails for walking, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. These grants help make communities more livable, create regional trails systems, and open up beautiful outdoor spaces for people to enjoy. WWRP is the largest source of trail support in the state of Washington.

Project Highlights

The Snohomish County Parks and Recreation Department will use this grant to construct two sections of the Whitehorse Trail, a 28 mile regional multi-use trail that is located in the North Fork Stillaguamish Valley along a rail-banked BNSF corridor. The trail meanders through the valley stretching from Arlington to Darrington from its junction with the Centennial Trail, frequently paralleling SR 530 and the North Fork Stillaguamish River. The goal of this project is to develop a 4.8 mile section of trail from the Centennial Trail junction to the SR 530 crossing West of Cicero, and a 6 mile section from C-Post Road to Swede Heaven Road. Improvements include grading the original rail bed, installing base material and geo-fabric where needed, and re-surfacing with up to 6 inches of compacted crushed rock for accessibility. The primary recreation opportunity provided by the project will be a regional, non-motorized, multi-use trail.

Quick Facts

WWRP Applicant: Snohomish County Parks Dept Category: Trails WWRP Grant: 1050000 Applicant Match: 1050000 Project Type: Development County: Snohomish Legislative District: 10 Status: Active RCO Project # 16-1813

Location Details

The trail properties can be accessed from several official parking areas: Property 1: Haller Park - Take SR 530 east from I-5 for approximately 4 miles. Turn left at the SR9/SR 530 red light and turn right at the next intersection to continue onto eastbound SR 530 (Burke Ave). Turn left onto N. West Ave and park at the end of the road in the Haller Park lot. Walk north on the Centennial Trail for approximately 1 mile to the junction with the Whitehorse Trail. Trafton Trailhead - Take eastbound SR 530 from the junction with SR 9 for approximately 7 miles. Turn left onto 115th Ave NE and continue down the hill to the trailhead at the farm on the left. Property 2: Take eastbound SR 530 from the junction with SR 9 for approximately 18 miles. Turn left onto Fortson Mill Road and continue down the hill to the parking area. The trail can be reached via a short access trail from the parking area.

What is the WWRP

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) is a state grant program that creates and conserves local and state parks, wildlife habitat and working farms. The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers WWRP grants, and the legislature funds the program.