Walkabout: Mahler Park trails

Location: Enumclaw.

Length: About a half-mile.

Level of difficulty: Level-to-gentle, narrow dirt trails (muddy after rains).

Setting: This 30-acre open space on the Enumclaw Plateau holds not only a segment of Newaukum Creek, which flows into the Green River farther downstream, but the promise of a better habitat for salmon. Many agencies, organizations and volunteers, including the City of Enumclaw, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, King County, NOAA and the Mid Puget Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group, are working together at this site to restore habitat. Activities include stream restoration, native plantings and the removal of invasive weeds such as blackberries, which commonly move into an area once it has been disturbed.

In addition to the short trail that leads down to Newaukum Creek, numerous neighborhood trails ramble off through blackberry thickets and clumps of sword fern. The park's open forest consists of mostly deciduous trees such as big-leaf maples, alders and cottonwoods.

Highlights: Once covered with conifers, when the forests were logged this area became dominated by agriculture, and stream channels were altered to inhibit flooding. A large interpretive sign at the trailhead shows the location of a recently built side channel to the west of the park that will provide valuable overwintering habitat for young fish. Charts on the sign show when various species of salmon are present in the Green/Duwamish River system.

Facilities: None.

Restrictions: Leash and scoop laws in effect. Don't stand on the edge of the stream bank (to prevent its collapse into the creek). Watch for stinging nettle.

Directions: From Interstate 5 in Federal Way, take Highway 18 east to Auburn. Take the Highway 164 exit toward Enumclaw. Turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp, and follow Highway 164 to Enumclaw. At the west edge of town, turn left on 244th Avenue Southeast, and then turn left on Southeast 436th Street. In a few blocks, on the right, there is a pullout for the trailhead.

Information: www.midsoundfisheries.org/mahler.html or 360-825-3594

Cathy McDonald is coauthor with Stephen Whitney of "Nature Walks In and Around Seattle" (The Mountaineers, 1997).