- Created: November 28, 2023 6:00 pm
- Updated: March 4, 2024 11:17 pm
- Distance 5003.28 ft
- Time 23 min
- Speed 2 mph
- Min altitude 10 ft
- Peak 85 ft
- Climb 157 ft
- Descent 230 ft
- Distance Instructions
- Travel mode
- straight-line
Bob Heirman Wildlife Refuge is a small wildlife refuge in Snohomish.
During parts of the winter, one may find wintering trumpeter swans on Shadow Lake here. To view the swans, you need to get there early in the morning as they'll fly off to roost for the day.
There is a small footpath down to the edge of the lake but there is no real trail around the lake -- if you do not stick to the footpath during wet weather, you may find yourself mired in muck!
After you return from the lake, you can proceed down the trail, which will take you along the Snohomish River. You may want to check conditions first -- during my recent hike there, the trail was blocked off at one point with debris.
I drew the route here based on trailmaps. My actual hike went this route, but stopped at the marked location due to trail debris. And also veered off into the muck alongside the lake -- so I didn't include that in this route.
Be aware that dogs are not allowed as this is a wildlife refuge and that the trail may be very wet, muddy, and slippery in the winter.
1. Parking
Parking lot at Bob Heirman Wildlife Refuge
2. Trail
The trail goes downhill toward the lake and the Snohomish River. In the winter, the trail was very wet, soggy, frozen -- and slippery in places.
3. Footpath to lake
This is a wildlife refuge, and there is not a path around the lake. During my recent hike there, trying to get closer to the lake in other spots ended up with my sinking down in the muck (fortunately, I had good boots on and did not get stuck).
This footpath took me down to a small dirt standing area where I was able to observe wintering trumpeter swans at a distance and watch them take off.
4. Turnaround and Wildlife Viewing Area
There was a small standing area down here which gave the best view of the swans taking off, with a backdrop of mountains. This is the place where my swan photos were taken.
After you take your time here, you can turn around and head back up to the main trail.
5. Location of the swans
In January, this is where, on the lake, the trumpeter swans mostly hung out -- far away from people. Still, with binoculars or a long lens it was a good place to watch the swans take off in the morning to go roost for the day.
Bob Heirman Wildlife Refuge is a small wildlife refuge in Snohomish.
During parts of the winter, one may find wintering trumpeter swans on Shadow Lake here. To view the swans, you need to get there early in the morning as they’ll fly off to roost for the day.
There is a small footpath down to the edge of the lake but there is no real trail around the lake — if you do not stick to the footpath during wet weather, you may find yourself mired in muck!
After you return from the lake, you can proceed down the trail, which will take you along the Snohomish River. You may want to check conditions first — during my recent hike there, the trail was blocked off at one point with debris.
I drew the route here based on trailmaps. My actual hike went this route, but stopped at the marked location due to trail debris. And also veered off into the muck alongside the lake — so I didn’t include that in this route.
Be aware that dogs are not allowed as this is a wildlife refuge and that the trail may be very wet, muddy, and slippery in the winter.
