West Hylebos Wetlands in Federal Way, Washington, Offers Birding Adventures

I find West Hylebos Wetlands to be an excellent spot to go for a morning of birding. It's a relaxing place, but somehow offers a sense of adventure that some parks don't have. I'd like to guide you to this wonderful place.

The West Hylebos Wetlands is in Federal Way, Washington. Take Highway 18 west until it becomes 348th Street.Watch for a sign for West Hylebos on 348th Ave. The sign will be posted across from a Park and Ride lot. Soon after seeing the sign you will need to turn onto 4^th Ave South. There's a small parking lot on 4th Ave South, right as you turn. Two old log cabins by the parking lot mark the entrance of the park. Turn into the parking lot. The street is a private road.

I always enjoy taking a look at the old cabins before I start my bird watching. The Denny cabin is boarded up. You cannot peek inside. But the Barkers cabin at the path entrance has windows. It's fun to peer through them. There's an alarm system, but my mother taught me how to look without touching. I enjoy viewing the tiny one room with its stone fireplace. There's a quilt rack draped with quilts and an old bed with another quilt on it. It's has a very historical feel to it. According to the sign out front the Barker cabin is the oldest building in Federal Way.

Across the path from the Barker cabin is an outhouse. This is a port a potty in a wooden shelter to match the old houses. It's usually kept clean. The wooden shelter adds charm to the area.

Of course, the wetlands are what draws me because I like to bird watch. So I'd like to start down the path and describe what I see, up to the boardwalk. I've never walked the whole length of the board walk so I can't describe it fully. But I hope to do so one day.

After I enjoy the cabins I head down the path towards the bench about ten feet away. This area has the feel of a backyard because of the cabins. Once I get to the bench, though, the path takes it's first sharp twist. As I take the turn I have a sensation of going into a forest. There's usually a smell of wood smoke and fir trees that adds to this sensation. On each side of the wide, smooth path the bushes and mossy trees host a variety of birds. In this forest area I recently saw Chickadees, dark eyed Juncos and robins. My companion saw spotted towhees as well. It wasn't a good day to identify birds because of the gray sky. But we were pleased with what we saw and heard. The path winds extensively in sharp semi circles for ¼ mile. It opens to the area I always thought was the picnic area.

There is a covered bench here which is nice in mildly wet weather. There is a nice little meadow with a picnic bench on it. Across the meadow is a private road. A sign board with maps and a sign in sheet marks where the park began as recently as a few years ago. I continue past the signboard along the path. It leads into the woods again. Rather quickly along this way there is a fork in the path to consider.

The first fork is the Marlake trail which leads to and then around the real picnic area. There's another picnic bench in the picnic area and a grassy meadow to spread out blankets on. When I go down the path that circles the picnic area I know I'll reach a lake. The path winds around the lake. I've never gotten to the end. There are benches at the lake and I enjoy sitting down to watch the ducks and other water fowl which are usually there. After a time of sitting, bird watching and dreaming, I head back to the forked trail. On my most recent visit to Hylebos I met a red breasted Northern Sapsucker on the path back from the pond. He was determined to eat his breakfast no matter who stopped and gawked at him. He ignored me as I snapped a picture of him. Then I went on.

The other fork leads to the boardwalk. I didn't take that fork on my last visit but I've walked some of the boardwalk in the past. I have to admit I've never made it far down that enticing path. There are three viewing points along the way, according to the map on the signboard in the first meadow. One day I hope to walk the whole length of boardwalk and see all of those viewpoints. The signboard mentions a variety of plants, animals and birds and I anticipate seeing a large number of them.

I am a city girl, born and raised. But Hylebos attracts me away from the city into the forests and meadows. As I leave the wetlands I start the hear the city noises again. For a moment I feel like turning back. But I plan to return, soon. One day I will plan on more than an hour or two for my bird watch. I will be able to see the ducks and the sapsucker and to walk a little further along the boardwalk or around the pond in my exploration. If you're ever in or near Federal Way, visit the West Hylebos Wetlands for a picnic or an adventure of your own.