The Tulalip Bay area proclaims itself to be the “Heart of the Tulalip Indian Reservation.”

Known as “A walk with the Ancestors,” this path was built to provide a glimpse into the extensive history of the area. The Tulalip Tribes and the Washington Department of Natural Resources developed this interpretive trek.

The views of the bay are impressive, and the history lesson is worth the effort. A brief synopsis — Captain George Vancouver sails in, is celebrated by the indigenous people, then claims the area for the British Crown.

A sign overlooking the bay states: “Undoubtedly, Capt. Vancouver failed to realize that these lands had been the Northwest coast natives’ homelands for thousands of years and were not available as a birthday gift for the King.”

Distance: 1.5 miles

Destination: Loop trail

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: None

Getting there: From I-5, take Exit 199. Head west on Marine Drive for about 4.8 miles. Turn left on 64th Street NW, then right on Totem Beach Road. Turn left into Tulalip Bay Marina in 0.7 miles.

The Trek: After finding a place to park, stroll toward the entrance and the first sign. After gleaning the historical information, retrace your steps, walking past the marina and out the gate at the north end.

Continue down a road, past several Tulalip buildings and under a locked gate. Proceed left when the main road (Waterworks) is reached.

It’s 50 yards before another set of signs is met. The first sign is in the front yard of an old house built on the banks of Tulalip Creek.

The structure once housed the superintendent of the first Western Washington Indian Agency. It is listed on the National Historic Register.

The signs explain the historical significance of the area and states that it was Vancouver’s 10th anchorage. The area has been the fishing grounds for the Snohomish people for thousands of years.

Learn that “Kla-How-A” is the Tulalip word for “welcome.”

Smaller plaques line the walkway. These explain the uses of native plants and trees by the indigenous people. For example, ironweed was used to make roasting prongs, fireweed produced a cotton-like substance used to make blankets and its root was boiled to help with sore throats, and kinninkinnick was smoked.

Walk down a stone staircase and go right, crossing a small dam. On the other side, go left toward the Tulalip Montessori School.

More signs are found here. They explain the ruins before you, as well as tell why Skayuqs Point (seen across the bay) is considered sacred. To the west is Tulalip Point and in the distance is Camano Island.

Return to the gravel road and go left. The large building before you is the Tulalip Indian School, built in 1905. Walk through the gate and continue toward the playground.

Located on the bay side of the playground is another sign. Just below are the remains of what was a federal jail, used to incarcerate those Tulalips that “did not adhere to the white man’s laws and customs.”

A stay in the jail was unpleasant. It was even more so as the tide rose and breached the structure.

Return to the gravel road, cross the dam and stay on Waterworks. A sign explains the history of Tulalip Elementary School. It also tells how to count to 10 in Snohomish.

Continuing on, take the next street to the right. Atop the hill sits the historic St. Anne’s Catholic Church. The church has been on the knoll since 1867. The current structure was built in 1904 after the original burned.

Follow the road back to the marina and the rig.