North Centennial Trail (Snohomish)

This newly completed section of the popular Centennial Trail runs from Bryant to the Skagit County line, and is a 4-mile link in the 29-mile trail. The Centennial Trail is constructed on the original railway right-of-way built north of Snohomish by the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railroad in 1889.

Start at the new Nakashima Heritage Barn Trailhead located on the former Nakashima Farm. The farm was first a logging camp before being converted to a dairy farm in the early 1900s. The Nakashima family, one of a few Japanese families living in Snohomish County, ran the farm until 1942 when they were forced to sell the farm and sent to internment camps. The Nakashima Barn is the first to be designated “Washington Heritage Barn” status by the Washington State Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation in 2006. The Trust for Public Lands purchased the farm in 1997 and shortly after transferred control to Snohomish County.

Now hikers, bikers, joggers and equestrians can enjoy sweeping views of the farm’s pastures as they descend from the barn to the trail. The paved portion of the trail turns south and begins its gentle meander through cedar and spruce wetlands and second growth forest before climbing along the banks of Pilchuck Creek. At 3.5 miles the trail crosses the creek on a bridge high off the water. Lovely views both up and downstream can be had, and off to the west a peek of snow capped mountains. The trail crosses SR-9 just before the Bryant Trailhead and continues on to Arlington and all points south.

One can also wander north from the Nakashima Heritage Barn Trailhead on the unpaved portion of the railway grade. Turn north from the pavement just as it angles south. Views of the barn and farm pasture can be had through the grand cottonwoods that line the grade. To the west, spruce and cedars dot ever more wetlands.