Hi, I'm Eric.

I’m an avid world traveler, photographer, software developer, and digital storyteller.

I help implement the Content Authenticity Initiative at Adobe.

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42
Kukutali Preserve
42

Kukutali Preserve

north of La Conner, Washington
visited 19 June 2021
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Kukutali Preserve is the product of a unique collaboration between Washington state government and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. In 1990, they agreed to jointly purchase and operate this property and develop it into a public park. Today it is a quiet place to go for a walk and enjoy the woods and ocean.

And today, walking through the island, there is no hint (other than a few historical marker signs) of the fate that almost befell this location: a nuclear power plant to serve the city of Seattle. Thankfully that idea was abandoned decades ago and we can enjoy this space more quietly now.

The island is also sometimes referred to as Kiket Island, a name bestowed by early European explorers who thought they were using local language, but that was not correct: Kiket derives from a Nez Perce word, but the Nez Perce are from what we now think of as eastern Washington and central Idaho, not this region.

Access to the park is via a parking lot located off Snee Oosh Road and then a short walk on a gravel road:

A narrow gravel road lined with grassy verges stretches into the distance through dense green forest and leafy shrubs, with a wooden utility pole and overhead wire on the left and a flat grey overcast sky above.

The road once continued onto the island, but has been closed to all traffic for a decade or so now. A recent environmental restoration returned the connection between Kiket Island and the mainland to a more natural state. That means it can flood at higher tides, so plan your visit carefully.

A gravel path leads toward a forested hill at the Kukutali Preserve, flanked by green salt marsh grasses, wild roses, and weathered driftwood logs, with a calm tidal lagoon and bay visible to the right under a heavy overcast sky.
A gravel path winds along a tombolo at Kukutali Preserve, flanked by piles of weathered gray driftwood logs and green beachgrass, with a forested tree-covered island rising ahead under an overcast gray sky and calm water on either side.

From the south side of the island, you can see Hope Island, which is another state park I visited later in the day.

A view across calm gray water toward low forested islands under a heavy overcast sky, framed on the right by a leafy tree and in the foreground by a grassy bluff with dry golden grass and small shrubs. Distant sailboats dot the water near the tree-covered shorelines.

What remains of the access road has become a comfortable hiking trail:

A grassy dirt two-track trail runs straight into a forest of tall Douglas fir and pine trees at Kukutali Preserve, flanked by dry golden grass and leafy green understory shrubs under an overcast sky.
A gravel trail winds through lush green summer foliage lined with wild roses, leading toward tall evergreen conifers that frame a distant glimpse of water and a hazy shoreline under an overcast sky.

At the far end of the island is Flagstaff Island, a small rocky outcropping. This island is off-limits to ordinary visitors in an effort to preserve and restore its habitat. (Sadly, I did see some people who chose to ignore the signs and proceed onto the island. I don’t approve.)

A grassy shoreline strewn with bleached driftwood logs overlooks a calm bay under an overcast sky at Kukutali Preserve, with a small forested point jutting into the water and distant tree-covered hills along the far shore.
A gravelly shoreline piled with weathered gray driftwood logs along a calm bay, with tall green beach grass in the foreground and a tree-covered island in the distance under a heavy overcast sky.
In the background is Skagit Island State Park.
A weathered gray piece of driftwood with a forked, antler-like shape lying amid a meadow of tall golden and green grasses at Kukutali Preserve near La Conner, Washington.
A pebbly gray beach curving along the calm waters of a bay at Kukutali Preserve, with a weathered driftwood log in the foreground and a grassy, tree-topped bluff rising to the left. Across the still water, a forested shoreline dotted with houses lies beneath a heavy overcast sky.

Walking back to the parking lot, I made some time to explore the north and south trails, which offer alternatives to the main (former road) trail:

A narrow gravel and dirt trail winds through lush green woodland at Kukutali Preserve, flanked by tall grasses, leafy shrubs, and conifers draped in moss, with clusters of creamy white oceanspray blossoms blooming on the right under an overcast summer sky.
A narrow dirt footpath winds through a lush evergreen forest, bordered by vibrant green sword ferns and flanked by tall conifers with soft morning light filtering through the canopy at Kukutali Preserve near La Conner, Washington.
A narrow dirt forest trail at Kukutali Preserve, with exposed tree roots snaking across the packed earth path. Green ferns, broadleaf shrubs, and patches of moss line both sides of the trail.
A narrow dirt trail winds between two massive Douglas fir trees with thick, furrowed bark in a dense evergreen forest at Kukutali Preserve near La Conner, Washington. Green ferns, moss, and understory plants line the path under the tall conifers in soft, overcast daylight.

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