Chum Salmon Returning To Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail

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Submitted by South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group

The Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail, located between Olympia and Shelton, will be open for visitors on weekends beginning Saturday, November 3rd through Sunday, November 25th as well as Veteran’s Day and the day after Thanksgiving from 10 am-4 pm.  This is an excellent opportunity for local South Sound residents to see thousands of chum salmon spawning in a natural environment.

The Trail is a community asset and each year over 5,000 people visit the Trail to learn more about the salmon life cycle.  Multiple viewing stations overlooking the creek will provide many opportunities to view salmon spawning in the wild.  The stations also provide different learning opportunities such as the importance of large woody debris and salmon carcasses in our streams.   An underwater fish camera operated by volunteer trail guides will offer a rare close up view of the salmon in the creek.

This half-mile trail is hosted by the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group (SPSSEG), Taylor Shellfish, and Mason Conservation District (MCD) and is partially ADA accessible. Volunteer trail guides will be on-site during the weekends to answer any questions.  For more general information, call (360) 412-0808 x 101 or go to www.spsseg.org.  Please dress appropriately for the weather and leave dogs at home or in the car, visit our website to find out why dogs are not allowed at the Trail.

The Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail is directly supported by SPSSEG (plus many other partners).  Taylor Shellfish owns the Trail property and has committed to a 20-year lease with SPSSEG.

Open to the Public:

Saturdays and Sundays November 3rd to November 25th

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Holidays Open: Monday November 12 (Veterans Day) and Friday November 23rd (day after Thanksgiving)

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday November 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. will be the 1st Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail “open house” with chowder, coffee, and hot cocoa available for a donation.  All proceeds will directly support the Trail.

Directions

The Salmon Trail is located off Highway 101 halfway between Olympia and Shelton. Southbound from Shelton, turn west on Old Olympic Highway at milepost 356. Northbound from Olympia, turn west on Old Olympic Highway between milepost 358 and 357. Go ¾ mile to a gravel logging road signed “Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail.” Follow the gravel road ½ mile to the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail parking lot.

Group Tours

Weekday visits for schools and other organized groups are available by reservation only. For more information or reservations, contact Katie Fulkerson at the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group (509) 630-6177 or via email Katief@spsseg.org.

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