Barr Creek - Skagit Land Trust

[48.4924,-121.556]

Property Type: Trust-Owned
Date Added: 2008

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

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Barr Creek Conservation Area protects over 50 acres of forests at the base of Sauk Mountain in Rockport. Barr Creek demonstrates the diversity of Pacific Northwest forests ecosystems with maturing trees, rich mosses, and a beautiful creek. We encourage you to walk the trail system and enjoy the natural beauty of this Conservation Area!

Conservation Story

Skagit Land Trust purchased the Barr Creek property 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. The grant funded habitat conservation for endangered species and was matched by Skagit Land Trust. Skagit Land Trust affectionately named this spot after its former owner, Kermit Johnson: “Kermit’s Woods”.

The Washington Department of Natural Resources holds a conservation easement on the property.

In October 2017, thanks to support from Trust members, Skagit Land Trust added four more acres to the Barr Creek Conservation Area through a bargain sale with Doris and Kermit Johnson. Over 1,000 feet of Barr Creek flow through this property and the additional acres further support 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 makes this property 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 property. Less than a mile from the parking area, the Hegg-Benson trail leads up through deciduous forests to Barr Creek where bedrock geology creates cascading pools and waterfalls.

*Bald eagle pair, captured by Keith Wiggers.*

Barr Creek is not known to be a salmon bearing stream, likely due to the steep topography. The lower portions of the creek surveyed by the US Forest Service are considered suitable habitat for salmonoid species and bull trout. Small cutthroat trout are occasionally reported. The Barr Creek property 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. Barr Creek drains the southeastern side of Sauk Mountain.

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!

The Hegg-Benson Trail, designed and constructed by Skagit Land Trust members and volunteers in 2009-2010, provides a short walk into this lovely conservation area. Click here to view trail information via the Washington Trails Association website. Local illustrator and cartographer Jocelyn Curry illustrated a map of the Hegg-Benson Trail. There are two benches located along the trail for visitors.

Ambitious hikers can follow the trail past the Skagit Land Trust property boundary into lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service (Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest). The trail follows a historic pack trail that leads up the back side 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.

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 up the hill, passing several private homes. Approximately 100 yards after house #54607 look for a pullout and the trailhead on the left side of Conrad Road.