Flowing Lake County Park is operated by Snohomish County Parks. Snohomish County purchased the property in 1968 from the Leckie family, which ran Leckie’s Resort on the site. The county began development in the early 1970s.

There is a $5 fee to use the area. It can be paid at the kiosk at the park’s entrance.

It’s all electronic. Insert the cash and get the permit in the form of a receipt. Place it in the window of the rig and off you go.

Flowing Lake County Park boasts a 30-site campground, complete with hot showers and rental cabins. There are picnic shelters, a playground, swimming area, beach volleyball courts and an amphitheater. This is something to remember for when the sun returns.

Distance: 1.5 miles

Destination: Loop trail

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: None

Getting there: From I-5, take Exit 194 (US 2, Wenatchee). Continue east on US 2. At milepost 10, turn left on 100 Street SE (Westwick Road). In about two miles, Westwick Road becomes 171st Avenue SE. Continue on 171st Avenue SE for about three miles. Turn right on 48th Street SE, which ends at the entrance to Flowing Lake County Park.

The Trek: There are several places to access the trail. For the best bang for your buck, park in the lot to the right once the park is entered.

Walk toward Flowing Lake and pick up the paved trail to the left (after passing the restrooms). The trail runs along the shoreline. There are several spots where sandy beaches can be accessed.

Numerous species of waterfowl take advantage of the area. They can be seen above and upon the lake’s waters.

Walk upon and around the fishing dock and continue through the parking lot for the boat launch.

At the intersection, go left, passing the “do not enter” road sign. Pick up the Forest Trail on the right. The trail crossing over the wooden footbridge leads to the group camping area. Stay on the main trail.

Entering the forest. Meander along the park’s boundary. Eventually, a rickety, moss-covered, raised wooden foot path is reached. It’s slick and some of the boards are questionable in regard to their sturdiness. Watch each step.

The wooden walkway ends at a huge, burned-out stump affectionately called “Fat Man’s Squeeze.”

Continue past trees covered with thick moss. Signs of logging are abundant as many stumps bear the scars of springboards.

Leave the path at the sign for the Nature Trail. The Nature Trail is the route just completed in reverse. Once you have returned to pavement, go to the right and pick up the trail in about 30 feet. It leads behind rental cabins.

Cross over a pair of bridges that span a couple of streams. Returning to the boat launch lot, it’s only a short distance back to the rig.