Cascade River - Skagit Land Trust

[48.520261,-121.390951]

Property Type: Trust-Owned
Date Added: 2014

Cascade River
136.7 acres
Open to the Public

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Conservation Story

The Cascade River Conservation Area protects over 136 acres of forest and 1.8 miles along the Cascade River, a small fish-bearing tributary called Lyric Creek, and several other side channels. The Conservation Area is located approximately 1.5 miles upstream from the confluence of the Cascade and Skagit Rivers, near the town of Marblemount.

The Conservation Area is made up of four non-contiguous properties: Cascade River North, Cascade River South I, Cascade River South II, and the Cascade River North Expansion. Cascade River North and South I were the first to be protected in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Cascade River South II was initially acquired by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in 2007 and was one of nine properties donated to Skagit Land Trust (SLT) in 2017.

In 2024, protection on the north side of the Cascade River expanded by approximately 7.59 acres with the acquisition of a small, but ecologically mighty, parcel. All the properties, except for the land previously owned by, were purchased with funding from the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Bard (SRFB), as coordinated by the Skagit Watershed Council, with contributions from Seattle City Light. Click here to read more about the land acquisition between TNC and SLT in our Summer 2017 Newsletter.

“It was the endangered bald eagle that brought The Nature Conservancy to the Skagit in the 1970’s. And it was the salmon – that eagles and so many other species depend on – that sustained our attention through the years. As we look to the future it’s the people. People need to steward this landscape; and they will benefit for generations from its natural beauty and abundance.” said TNC Strategic Partnerships Director Bob Carey. “Skagit Land Trust is the perfect organization to make sure these connections between people and nature endure.”

The Cascade River Conservation Area is part of 8,000+ acres of habitat that comprise the Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area. Each winter, bald eagles migrate to eastern Skagit County during their mating season to feast on dying Chum salmon. Their return is honored The Skagit Eagle Festival, a month long celebration during the eagle-watching season, founded and supported by the communities of the upper Skagit River. Activities take places in Concrete, Rockport, and Marblemount every full weekend in January. Running since the 1980’s, The Skagit Eagle Festival attracts thousands of visitors to view these regal creatures.

Site History and Ecology

The Cascade River flows for 29 miles from the South Cascade Glacier through North Cascades National Park, Mount-Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, and Glacier Peak Wilderness before entering the Skagit River. Cascade River Conservation Area provides excellent native habitat including streams, wetlands, and riparian woodlands that support a wide variety of fish and wildlife, including all five Pacific salmon and multiple trout species.

The Conservation Area is also near identified habitat for the state endangered Northern Spotted Owl and Marbled Murrelet. Other birds and mammals known to be on site include bald eagles, raptors, river otters, black bears, coyotes, and martens.

The majority of the Conservation Area is a maturing riparian forest with a mix of coniferous and deciduous vegetation. Common plant species found in these areas include red alder, wester red cedar, black cottonwood, and big leaf maple. Large stumps on the property indicate that it was logged at least once since the 1900s.

Smaller portions of the Conservation Area have shallow soils and an open nature that support a large variety of wildflowers and berries. Sensitive types of lichen that only grow in places with high air quality live here.

Access

Cascade River Conservation Area is open to the public for low impact activities such as walking and birding. There are three primary access points:

South Cascade Road Access: The downstream entrance can accommodate parking for two vehicles and is marked by eco-blocks. Beyond them is a short path that leads to the banks of the Cascade River.

Just upstream is a second entrance marked by a red gate. There is parking for 3-4 vehicles and a 0.4-mile trail to the Cascade River.

Cascade River Road Access: There is parking for one vehicle and undeveloped access.

How to Get There

South Cascade Road Access: From Mount Vernon: drive east on State Route 20. In Marblemount, continue straight onto Cascade River Road and cross over the Skagit River. In about 0.7 miles turn right to cross the Cascade River. Immediately turn left onto South Cascade Road. Downstream access is located on the left (north) in approximately 0.3 miles

Cascade River Road Access: drive east on State Route 20. In Marblemount, continue straight onto Cascade River Road and cross over the Skagit River. Continue on Cascade River Road for about 1.2 miles. Parking and undeveloped access will be on the right (south).