ROCKPORT — The trails at Rockport State Park have given many hikers a glimpse of what the Skagit Valley looked like hundreds of years ago.

The park’s old-growth forest — complete with babbling brooks, veils of hanging moss, carpets of ferns and towering trees — has drawn countless visitors to the area.

Now an entirely new segment of the outdoor community will be able to enjoy the ancient forest. The park recently dedicated the one-mile West Loop Interpretive Trail, which meets the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The trail boasts numerous interpretive panels explaining the environment in detail.

Those physically unable to make their way along the scenic Evergreen Trail, which twists and turns, rises and falls along the park’s boundary, now have the opportunity to get a glimpse of what they have been unable to encounter.

Linda Zielinski of Anacortes and her wheelchair-bound husband Pete Larkworthy wasted little time taking to the West Loop Interpretive Trail.

“It’s incredible,” said Zielinski, who pushed her husband along the trail. “The trail is great. It really allowed us to get into an old-growth forest, and that is something we don’t usually get to do. The mosses, the ferns, the creeks. We were able to pause and listen to the creeks and that is something we don’t get many chances to do.”

The trail’s construction was paid for by Seattle City Light and through grants from the U.S. Forest Service’s Wild and Scenic Rivers program. The total cost was $105,000.

The trail is the brainchild of Rockport State Park manager Al Nickerson.

“It took a lot of time and effort,” said Nickerson. “But now that it’s complete, what a great trail.

“Originally, we were looking to build a trail that would connect Rockport with Howard Miller. But that idea fell through. So one day, I was walking along the trail and thought that this sort of trail (ADA accessible) could be done.”

Nickerson improved an existing trail. The changes included widening the trail to four feet to accommodate wheelchairs.

“We started construction in the winter of 2005,” Nickerson said. “Whatcom County offered an inmate crew so we took them up on the offer. It was a low elevation project that they could work on about six to eight weeks in the winter. It was perfect for us and it really turned out very nice.”

The work crews were able to make the necessary improvements to the trail while preserving the natural integrity of the area.

And the West Loop Interpretive Trail has already greeted many.

“We’ve had a number of folks already come through and use it,” Nickerson added. “We’ve had people in wheelchairs and even on crutches. One gal and her husband hiked the trail. Her husband used a cane and she was on crutches because she was missing a leg. She did the whole thing on crutches and said it was fun.

“It’s nice to see people using it. That’s great. It’s good to see folks who don’t normally have the opportunity to get on trails have the opportunity to do so.”

Wayne Gerner of Bellingham recently visited the area for a picnic and noticed the new ADA trail. He decided to come back to give it a try.

He arrived at Rockport State Park riding a three-wheel motorbike that can be operated solely with his hands. His wheelchair was on the back.

“I decided to come back up,” he said. “And my reaction to this trail is that it’s the best ADA trail I have ever seen. And I’ve seen and been on a lot in the 35 years I’ve been a paraplegic. I’ve been on every ADA trail in this state. This one is easily on par with the new ADA trail the state built at Johnston Ridge down at Mount St. Helens.

“The forest is great. It’s absolutely wonderful. It’s really breathtaking. It’s like being transported back to the old world. It’s like I’d picture middle earth. I mean you look at all the moss and all the old-growth trees. It’s really amazing.”

The trail boasts four sections termed “challenge grades.” With ascents and descents, they test the mettle of those rolling along.

“Those sections worried me a little,” said Zielinski, “but I was able to shove him up the hills. It ended up being just fine. People with a lot of strength in their arms could certainly get along just fine.”

Those particular sections offered something else as well.

“The downhill sections, he had to apply the brakes,” said Zielinski. “Being able to speed things up and to have the opportunity to feel the wind in his face was nice. He just doesn’t get that opportunity much any more.”

For many in wheelchairs, getting traction on trails can be difficult. With this trail, that isn’t a problem.

“We used a material called Fiber Grade,” said Nickerson. “We applied it to the trail in the winter when the ground was soft. So now it’s practically part of the trail. It allows for great traction.”

Gerner said there are other positive aspects of the trail that many may take for granted.

“They have done an absolutely fantastic job on it,” Gerner said. “There are places to sit if you happen to be in a walker and there are pullouts in case two wheelchairs meet along the way.”

It took Gerner about an hour to cover the one-mile trail. He said it was worth every minute.

There was another aspect of the trail that Zielinski and her husband enjoyed. It is close to their Anacortes home.

“It’s really easy to get to and access,” she said.

The bottom line, however, is the opportunity to experience an area they wouldn’t normally see.

“Streams, ferns, moss, old-growth timber,” Zielinski said. “We just don’t have many opportunities to see things like that. The old-growth aspect of the trail is something special. It was very neat.”

So, will Zielinski and her husband return?

“We’ll be back in the fall and again in the late spring,” she said. “We’ll go for the changing seasons. It will be like a new trail each time.”

Nickerson hopes that’s the feeling most will have once they’ve trekked the West Loop Interpretive Trail.

“It’s all about giving people who normally wouldn’t have an opportunity to get out and experience the area and the environment an opportunity to do so,” he said. “So far, it seems to be doing just that and the response has been terrific.”

Nickerson can expect use of the trail to increase.

“It’s one of these little gems that we need to get the word out about,” said Gerner. “There’s always a lot of grumbling about not having enough ADA accessible trails. But there is plenty of blame to go around. In a lot of instances, people with disabilities really don’t look for them. Then on the other hand, we don’t get much help in finding such things as trails.

“This one won’t remain a secret for long. It’s top-notch. This place really makes you come alive. It heightens all your senses. A trail like this for someone like myself is a real treat.”

Vince Richardson can be reached at 360-416-2181 or by e-mail at