Local Stakeholders Support Development of Whitehorse Trail Between Arlington and Darrington
Today, Washington Wild coordinated a joint comment letter to Snohomish County Parks & Recreation concerning the development of the Whitehorse Trail. In all 21 conservation & recreation groups and local businesses signed on and expressed their enthusiastic support for the County’s grant application to Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office to fund the completion of the Whitehorse trail. There is widespread support from a breadth of signers including the Downtown Arlington Business Association, River Time Brewing, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance and the Backcountry Horseman of Washington.
Photo Courtesy of Martha Rasmussen
Whitehorse Trail has been in development for nearly three decades as acquisitions and other planning efforts were finalized. Currently only about 6 miles of the trail is open and this prospective grant would be the last necessary investment to open the entire 27-mile trail to the public from Arlington to the town of Darrington. Over the last five years a concerted effort has been made, supported by local stakeholders, to complete the full trail and connect to the Centennial Trail.
The trail follows the path of a former railroad following the North Stillaguamish River and rewarding visitors with picturesque, landscape views of forests, farmland, streams and rivers, and mountain vistas. The trail is unique because it provides a non-motorized trail corridor in the area for hikers, street and mountain bikers, equestrians, snowshoers, cross country skiers, birdwatchers and pets. In addition, the trail will provide opportunities for river access and bike shuttle opportunities for paddlers attracted to the North Fork Stillaguamish River. A completed Whitehorse Trail would also connect with the existing Centennial Trail. Together the two connected trails would create a nearly 60-mile multi-use trail system in Snohomish County.
A completed trail promises to connect the rural towns of Arlington, Oso and Darrington highlighting the rich history of these communities along the way. Opportunities for small businesses and outdoor recreation related businesses along the trail corridor will also follow. The Whitehorse trail provides a compelling investment that provides significant recreational benefits to a variety of local residents and visitors alike for a single trail corridor. Washington Wild looks forward to the opening of the complete trail someday soon.
