Barr Creek - Skagit Land Trust

[48.4924,-121.556]

Property Type: Trust-Owned
Date Added: 2008, 2017

Rockport, WA
50.21 acres
Open to the Public, Featured Property
Hiking & Walking

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Conservation Story

Skagit Land Trust’s (SLT) Barr Creek Conservation Area protects over 50 acres of forest at the base of Sauk Mountain in Rockport, demonstrating the diversity of Pacific Northwest forest ecosystems with maturing trees, rich mosses, and a beautiful creek.

The Barr Creek Conservation Area was purchased from Kermit and Doris Johnson in August of 2008 with a grant sponsored by the State of Washington through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which funded habitat conservation for endangered species. Skagit Land Trust affectionately named this spot after its former owner, Kermit Johnson: “Kermit’s Woods”.

With support from SLT members, four more acres were added to the Barr Creek Conservation Area through a bargain sale with Doris and Kermit Johnson in 2017. The Conservation Area protects over 1,000 feet of Barr Creek and supports wildlife habitat. Read more about the expansion of the Barr Creek Conservation Area in our Fall 2017 newsletter.

Site History and Ecology

The maturing forests surrounding Barr Creek Conservation Area make this property an ideal habitat for roosting bald eagles that winter along the Skagit River. As the forest matures, it will serve as potential habitat for two other species listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act: the marbled murrelet and northern spotted owl.

Barr Creek – also known as Swift Creek – flows from Sauk Lake across the northwest corner of the Conservation Area. Less than one mile from the parking area, the Hegg-Benson trail leads up through deciduous forests to Barr Creek, where visitors can enjoy views of cascading pools and waterfalls.

*Bald eagle pair, captured by Keith Wiggers.*

Due to the steep topography of Barr Creek, it is not known to bear salmon. However, the lower portions of the creek surveyed by the U.S. Forest Service are suitable habitat for salmonoid species and bull trout. Small cutthroat trout are occasionally reported in the creek.

The Barr Creek Conservation Area neighbors the conservation lands of the Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area. Forests types on the property are consistent with bald eagle roosts. The adjacency of this property to protected Federal lands provides important habitat buffer for over 15 species identified under the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Habitat Conservation Plan.

Access

The Barr Creek Conservation Area is accessible to the public and is located two miles east of Rockport along Washington State Route 20. We encourage you to visit this property!

*SLT volunteers building the Dancing Bear Trail.*

The Hegg-Benson Trail, designed and constructed by SLT members and volunteers in 2009 to 2010, provides a short walk into this lovely Conservation Area.

The Dancing Bear Trail was designed and constructed by SLT staff and volunteers in 2021-2022 over the course of 11 volunteer work parties. Volunteer Land Steward, Russ Dalton, was instrumental in the trail’s development. Volunteers continue to maintain and improve the Dancing Bear Trail, and Barr Creek’s other trails, to this day.

Hikers can create a 1.2-mile loop by combining the Hegg-Benson and Dancing Bear Trails. The trail loop meanders through diverse forest and features two benches overlooking Barr Creek. The lower junction sits shortly up the trail from the interpretive sign and trail register, while the upper junction sits just before the waterfall overlook. More information about the Hegg-Benson trail is available on the Washington Trails Association website.

Ambitious hikers can follow the trail past the boundary of the Conservation Area into lands managed by the Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest. The historic trail goes up the backside of Sauk Mountain but is not actively maintained and can be difficult to navigate. Hikers should proceed with caution and be confident in route finding if they proceed beyond the SLT boundary. Prior to the construction of Sauk Mountain Road, this seven-mile long trail served as the access to the fire lookout that once stood at the summit.

Map of the Hegg-Benson Trail, illustrated by local cartographer Jocelyn Curry.

How to Get There

Take Highway 20 east to Rockport. Turn left onto Conrad Road at milepost 98, approximately 1.5 miles after the junction of Highway 20 and Highway 530 (which leads to Darrington). Take a left on Conrad Road and drive about 0.2 miles, you will see a sign for SLT’s Barr Creek Conservation Area and a small parking area on the left.