Prepare to get your feet wet, particularly this time of the year.

Scriber Lake is 22 acres of prime marsh/wetland. The trail lays upon a massive peat bog that is about 50 feet deep. As the water collects, the lake rises and portions of the trail become inundated. It may take some fancy footwork to stay dry during the rainy season.

If forced off the wood-chip path, be careful. Peat bogs are unstable. Stable-looking areas can hide deep holes just beneath the weedy surface. Odds are some of these holes lead to the bottom. Just watch your step and stay on the trail as much as possible. It might mean getting your feet wet, but that is far better than taking a plunge into the water.

Along this trek, there are several benches on which to stop and ponder. Take note of the excellent metal work that many boast.

Distance: 2.5 miles

Destination: Scriber Lake and creek

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: None

Getting there: I-5 south to Exit 181 (SR 524, Lynnwood). Turn right on 196th Street SW. Proceed about 1.5 miles. Turn left on Scriber Lake Road. Take a left on 198th Street SW and enter the park.

The Trek: Begin by reading the placard on the bench at the trailhead. It gives a history of the area as well as the reason the benches are so stylish.

The next sign has a map of the area. Get your bearings. The trail is basically a big loop, so getting lost would take some effort.

After getting the necessary information, set off.

The first portion of the trail is paved. It soon becomes a trail of soggy wood chips as it dives right near the lake’s shoreline.

Another couple of steps lead to a boardwalk that puts hikers above the brackish waters of Scriber Lake.

The boardwalk shudders with every step. Seats along the way resemble lily pads. Take a seat and watch the ducks and other waterfowl frolic upon the water.

Continue upon the boardwalk and eventually return to the trail. A spur trail to the right leads to another pair of seats hidden deep within the brush. Venture down to check them out.

Take the next spur trail to the left. It leads to what is the North Lagoon. This is a body of water that formed as 196th Street was improved.

The lagoon is brown — and bubbling. The brown color is caused by suspended peat particles. The bubbles are actually methane gas from decomposing vegetation under the pavement of the street. As the gas escapes and enters the water, it results in bubbles.

Return to the trail and continue left.

Cross a bridge that spans Scriber Creek and encounter a “T” intersection of pavement.

Scriber Creek Trail provides two options.

One way leads to Scriber Creek Park and the other continues to a park and ride just off I-5, near the Interurban Trail.

Turn around at any point and continue on the paved trail back to the parking lot.