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For the most part, the trail is uneven pavement.

Be sure to bring binoculars. There is a myriad of bird life to both on and off the surrounding waters.

Distance: 2.5 miles

Destination: Loop trail

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: None

Getting there: I-5 south to exit 198 (SR 529, south, N. Broadway.) Go north on Broadway, cross over a pair of bridges and look for the sign for Langus Riverfront Park. Take a right on Frontage Road.

Reaching a “Y” intersection, veer to the right. The signs for Langus Riverfront Park are tough to see and barely legible. They are covered with dust and dirt that has come from truck traffic. Turn right at the main sign and enter the park.

The Trek: The trail ends at a pier overlook at the northern most part of the parking area. So you can start there or anywhere along the length of the lot.

Proceed south along the murky shores of the tide-influenced Snohomish River. Large pylons pepper the shoreline.

Walk under the freeway viaduct, emerging from the concrete behemoth directly across from a waste water treatment facility.

On a clear day, Picnic Point provides a breathtaking view of Mount Rainier as well as a bird’s-eye view of the confluence of Union Slough and the Snohomish. Lush and green, this is a scenic spot.

The trail follows Union Slough, which is nothing but mud when the tide is out. If it’s full of brackish water, then the tide is in.

Looking to the east in clear weather, Cascade peaks can be seen. And if the sun is out, it shimmers off the snow-covered flanks of Mount Baker.

Rounding the next bend, look closely for a bridge on the other side of the slough. This is the trail for Spencer Island.

It’s not long before the bridge that spans Union Slough and leads to Spencer Island is reached.

The trail continues past the bridge and along the slough and eventually makes a loop. Once that is completed, take the gravel road leads between lagoons. The trail ends just to the south side of the viaduct.

A quick turn right will lead back to the vehicle.