Day Creek - Skagit Land Trust

[48.495187,-122.044539]

Property Type: Trust-Owned
Date Added: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2017, 2020

Day Creek
334.7 acres
Open to the Public
Fishing

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Conservation Story

The Day Creek Conservation Area consists of several parcels along Day Creek, ranging from the confluence of Day Creek and the Skagit River to the northern foothills of the Cultus Mountains. The Conservation Area sites within the Skagit River’s floodplain. Day Creek provides spawning habitat for chinook, coho, chum, and pink salmon at different times during their life cycles. Maintaining and improving the riparian ecosystem along the river and managing the high-quality forestland are part of a larger effort to protect the Day Creek watershed. Skagit Land Trust (SLT) first began protecting land to create the Day Creek Conservation Area in 2003, with additional acreage protected in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2017, and 2020, totaling almost 335 acres.

*Frosty fern at Day Creek Conservation Area.*

Acquisitions of the Day Creek Conservation Area were made possible through funding from Seattle City Light and Washington State’s Salmon Recovery Funding Board, coordinated by the Skagit Watershed Council. SLT has been working with its partners at the Skagit Watershed Council to protect significant areas of salmon habitat along the middle reaches of the Skagit River for several years.

Site History and Ecology

Day Creek is an important tributary for Skagit River salmon recovery efforts. Day Creek provides spawning habitat for chinook, coho, chum, and pink salmon as well as cutthroat trout, and connectivity for aquatic species to streams above and below the Conservation Area.

Forested areas, also within the Conservation Area, provide habitat for wildlife, as well as shade and soil erosion protection for Day Creek. Much of the forest contains a mix of maturing conifers, deciduous trees, and shrubs. Red alder and black cottonwood dominate the forest while salmonberry, sword fern, and red-osier dogwood make up much of the understory.

*Elk* *within Day Creek Conservation Area captured on a game camera by, Hal Lee*, Volunteer Land Steward.

This Conservation Area encompasses active and seasonal stream channels, riparian forest, replanted areas, and grassy openings. The site contains high-quality wildlife habitat, especially for fish and elk. Other wildlife species that utilize this area include bald eagles, salmon, black bears, cougars, deer, amphibians, and various other animals.

Access

Day Creek Conservation Area is open to low-impact public use for community enjoyment. Road access and parking areas are limited.

Day Creek Conservation Area consists of four conservation areas managed by Skagit Land Trust in the upper Skagit River watershed. Map created by Skagit Land Trust staff using NAIP aerial imagery from 2017.

How to Get There

From the South Skagit Highway Park & Ride in Sedro-Woolley off of Route 9, take the South Skagit Highway east for 10 miles. Turn right onto Warfield Road. Follow Warfield Road for half of a mile and you will arrive at the property on your left, look for the small parking pullout with Skagit Land Trust signs. Follow directions for 10489 Warfield Road. Please note that there is no established trail on the property.

From the parking pullout, walk generally northeast into the Conservation Area to get to Day Creek. There are no established trails within the property.