Grab a coat, warm boots, and head out the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail – the area’s premier salmon viewing experience. Tens of thousands of chum salmon are currently making their iconic and amazing journey back to Kennedy Creek.
“The wild chum salmon run is amazing because you can see the fish in their natural environment,” remarked Stephanie Bishop, Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Mason Conservation District. “It is a wonder to see the culmination of the salmon life cycle as the fish survive all the hazards of a three to five year cycle to return to their natural waters,” commented volunteer Ken Guza.
Evergreen professor Jeff Cederholm dreamed up the concept of the nature trail. Cederholm had been using the area to perform fish surveys, counts, and experiments and felt that it was the perfect interface between natural resources and the general public. About 11 years ago, Cederholm pulled together the resources to build the initial trail. Today, the trail includes 11 tailor-made viewing stations and interpretive signage, as well as a parking lot specially designed to minimize the impact of visitors on the environment. Over 5,000 people are expected to witness the salmon spawn while the trail is open in November.
Bishop stressed the amazing partnership between so many organizations. Taylor Shellfish owns the property and has provided the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group (SPSSEG) with a 20-year lease to oversee the trail. The Green Diamond Resource company owns the logging road and permits visitors to use the road to access the trail. The land is also important to the Squaxin Island tribe which has been providing area information and grants to keep the trail maintained. The Mason Conservation District provides trained volunteers and leads school group field trips. “Kennedy Creek is a wonderful example of how multiple agencies and private enterprises can cooperate effectively to benefit the habitat and all of us,” stated volunteer Leeann Tourtillot.
A crew of fifty volunteers share responsibility for staffing the trail on the weekends. Weekdays are reserved for school groups. “Most kids are thrilled to see these amazing fish returning to their natal stream to spawn. Everyone learns how integral salmon are to the entire forest. Not only are salmon spawning, there are also vital nutrients for the forest and all its inhabitants being heaped upon the creek sides,” said Tourtillot who often leads the school field trips.
The best viewing opportunities will occur during the second and third weeks in November. “My favorite part of the trail is the creek side gravel bar where we can get up close to the spawners. Watching this ancient ritual is really awe inspiring,” stated new volunteer Lynne Glore. Guza noted that if a visitor focuses on the spawning behaviors of a few fish at one spot they will witness all the details that are described in the interpretative signs. Stephanie Pratt, who brought her family to the trail in early November, said “My favorite part of the trail was the interpretative signs. My five-year-old son felt like he was on a scavenger hunt to find the next sign.”
Access to the trail is free although a visitor donation is suggested. The trail is open from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on weekends through November 27th. The trail is also open on Veteran’s Day and the Day after Thanksgiving during these same hours. Visitors can find the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail just before milepost 357 along Hwy 101 between Olympia and Shelton, on the west side 101. Drive about 1 mile on pavement and then take a right up a gravel road (you will see signs).
