Field Trip to Darlin Creek Preserve

Darlin Creek Preserve is a 312-acre preserve conserved by Capitol Land Trust in the Black River watershed near Capitol State Forest. This will be a beginner-friendly outing. We will be looking and listening for spring migrants.

This outing is cohosted by Capitol Land Trust. Please sign up for this outing on their website: https://capitollandtrust.org/darlin-creek-preserve-bird-outing/

We will meet at the trailhead kiosk and walk about 2 miles.

Trail information:

The trails are a mixture between dirt, gravel, and old roadbed.

Wetland Forest Loop Trail is about 2 miles long. Heading clockwise from the parking area, the trail is flat until a slight decline in elevation to a large bridge crossing Darlin Creek. cross the bridge near the Beaver Pond. Check out the flat spur trail just after the bridge for a look at a beaver dam and the pond behind it! After the bridge, the trail increases in elevation and follows an old logging road, with uphill and downhill sections and some uneven footing. At the end of the old logging road, the trail bends north to cross a footbridge (look for the nearby beaver dam!) and connect with an old railroad grade. The railroad grade is very level but may be muddy in spots. After a short distance, the trail reconnects with the Lake Loop Trail and passes by Lake Lucinda (see above description). There are three benches along the Wetland Forest Loop Trail, one at the Beaver Pond, one at the South Beaver Pond, and one along the western portion of the Lake Loop Trail.

Other information:  

Free parking is available at the site. There is a portable toilet near the parking area with hand sanitizer.

This outing is not wheelchair accessible.

Bring: Binoculars and a field guide if you want one. Merlin Bird ID is a great phone app for identifying birds. I also suggest a hands-free pack for water, snacks, and personal items.

Photo: Darlin Creek Preserve, by Bruce Livingston, Capitol Land Trust.

COVID Guidelines:

1. Participants agree to follow current Washington Phase Covid-19 guidance. They must stay home if they have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, or new loss of taste or smell.
2. We are unable to accommodate unvaccinated participants.
3. Use of a facemask is an individual decision
4. Participants must agree to these guidelines concerning COVID-19.