Jetty Island is a two-mile long, man-made island with rare sandy beaches and shallow warm water. It’s a popular destination for kite-boarders and families. The two-mile long, half-mile wide (only 500 feet wide at high tide) getaway is a sanctuary for 45 species of birds and hundreds of folks on summer days.
To reach the island, take the two-minute free ferry ride (donations are accepted) aboard the Queens Launch.
The free ferry departs from the 10th Street Boat Launch and Marine Park. Jetty Island hours are 10 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. Sundays. Ferry passes can be picked up at the kiosk in the park.
Once on Jetty Island, pick up another boarding pass with a return time of your liking. It’s better to pick it up when you arrive on the island so you can guarantee your return time.
Jetty Island has a storied history.
The island was the byproduct of a money making venture undertaken about a hundred years ago.
This portion of Everett’s waterfront was in dire need of a harbor. Without it, ships would be unable to reach businesses on shore.
Back then, vessels were constructed of wood and prone to damage from a creature known as a shipworm — a small-shell clam that thrives in saltwater and bores holes in wood hulls.
Holes in hulls are not good for business.
The only way to keep shipworms from the vessels was to create a freshwater harbor. Water from the Snohomish River was used for this purpose.
A portion of Puget Sound was dredged, with debris from the dredging becoming a jetty that kept the fresh water from the salt water.
And Jetty Island was born.
The Trek: After landing and picking up your boarding pass for the return run, set out. Follow the masses to the beach.
Reaching a fork, the trail to the left leads to the beach while the trail to the right continues along the dune.
Proceed right.
Pass picnic tables as you hoof it along the sandy path. On this day, a plethora of kiteboarders dotted the sky and bobbed in the cold waters of Puget Sound while waiting for the next gust of wind. Boards laid at the ready on the shoreline, perched upon pieces of drift wood.
The sand berm dwindles and one is left to walk along the shoreline. If the tide is out, this trek can be lengthy. The rather solid sand/mud flats extend for quite a ways.
If venturing out on the flats, be sure not to be trapped on them by the tide.
Hop over driftwood and venture around massive tree stumps that have washed ashore and become embedded in the sand.
Seaweed is plentiful, along with the occasional shell.
Of course, sand is everywhere.
Continuing on, reach the most popular section of beach. Here, families cavort on the sandy bluff and on the flats.
The usual beach activities were taking place — kite flying, picnic lunches, kids burying each other and, of course, sand castle building.
Keeping a close eye on it all from high above was a flock of seagulls.
Passing the circus-like atmosphere, the tempo once again calms. The frolicking masses are replaced by stands of beach grass and the occasional flitting killdeer.
This route can be taken as long as the Sound permits.
In the distance, the gray hulls of frigates belonging to the Navy are seen docked at the Naval Station Everett.
Once you have hiked to where waves lap against your feet or when you have seen enough, turn around and head back to the dock.
Distance: 2 miles
Destination: West beach
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: None
Getting there: I-5 south to Exit 194 in Everett. Turn right (west) on Everett Avenue. Turn right on West Marine View Drive and head north for 11⁄2 miles. Turn left into the 10th Street Boat Launch & Marine Park.
Jetty Island
Vince Richardson
Driftwood lines the beach on Jetty Island.
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