Shinglemill/Fern Cove
We named Bill’s Trail for board member Bill Mitchell, a true defender of the west – despite the fact that he swore he would never walk it. It was too steep for his taste, and he never did walk it. It was an inside joke, and now you’re in on it.
The Shinglemill Preserve is an amalgam of purchases by different parties over time, but the Land Trust embraced the stewardship responsibility and built the trail system – one of Vashon’s most-loved.
Fern Cove is one of Vashon’s best birding spots, and access to the estuary also makes this the best place to spot Coho and Chum salmon as they return to spawn in the fall.
Access + Maps:
The Upper Shinglemill Trailhead and the All-Ages Trail can be accessed by turning west from Vashon Highway onto 156th Street. In half a mile you will see the entry sign on your right – the parking lot is just a bit further down this drive.
To access the lower Shinglemill Trail, Bill’s Trail, and Fern Cove, park along Cedarhurst Road near the entry to Fern Cove. This trail is pedestrian-only. Dogs on leash are allowed on Shinglemill and Bill’s Trail. Please keep your dog out of this salmon-bearing creek (good dog!)
To protect the birds, no dogs are allowed at Fern Cove.