Trip Report
Carkeek Park Day Hike - Naturalist
My dog and I had 3 objectives for our trip this morning: 1) to see what progress has been made around the beaver activity, 2) to catch as many migrating birds singing as possible, and 3) to get outside before the crowds descend on the PNW green spaces over the 3-day holiday. Mission accomplished with 28 bird species.
Courtenay Schurman
- Fri, May 23, 2025
- Carkeek Park
- Naturalist & Day Hiking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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My dog and I visited Carkeek Park early this morning with three objectives: 1) to see what progress has been made around the beaver activity, 2) to catch as many migrating birds singing as possible, and 3) to get out with my pup before the crowds descend on the PNW green spaces over the 3-day holiday.
We accomplished all three, although I was disappointed at leaf blower sounds so early (7:30 a.m. really?) and anticipated we'd hear more than the 28 bird species we heard. A few warblers and some evening and black-headed grosbeaks, so those were wins. We also saw a mama mallard with 7 ducklings paddling around in the pond.
Signs are out mentioning beaver progress, and we spotted one portapotty by the salmon research station but didn't need to use it. Maybe 15 cars in the entire park between 730-910.
Expect mud on the trails. The north and south ridge trails are pretty decent, but near the beaver construction there's a lot. The beaver family has made a real mess out of the Piper's Creek trails, but if you're willing to get your feet a little wet, that lower trail is still accessible. The mallards and great blue herons seem to love it.
We parked near the footbridge to the beach and headed south toward the beaver pond/Piper's Creek first, then headed up the south ridge, descended back along the shore to cross to the north ridge, and finally we headed past the salmon research station for the east/south loop.
There weren't many people in the park at that hour, although I expect it will be packed with the 3-day holiday weekend and nicer weather. We saw mostly female solo trail runners, a few dog walkers, and two birders with scopes out on the beach. LOTS of gulls, robins, crows. The north loop seemed quieter but more diverse, and the south loop (which we hit twice) seemed to be picking up in song when we left at 9:15.
Total meandering mileage was 3.85 in 1:43 travel time.