Wildlife Viewing
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Wildlife & Birding in the Stevens Pass Greenway

The Stevens Pass Greenway is home to the Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest on the western slope of the Cascades and the Wenatchee/Okanogan National Forest on the Eastern slope of the mountains. The Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie national Forest is home to glacier-covered peaks, spectacular mountain meadows and old-growth forests while the Wenatchee/Okanogan National Forest is home to high, glaciated alpine peaks along the Cascade Crest to the dry, rugged shrub steppe country that sprawls along its eastern edge. These two vastly different ecosystems on each side of the range are home to a wealth of wildlife native to the area. Note that not only will the wildlife that you see on each side of the slope vary, but it will also vary based on how far into the wilderness you go and the individual habitats you encounter as you ascend and descend in elevation.

Wildlife Viewing

Shrews (Vagrant, Trowbridge's, Water and Marsh), American Pika, Snowshoe Hare, Moles (Coast, American Shrew-Moles), Muskrat, Beaver, Marmots (Yellow-bellied and Hoary), Cascade Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel, Chipmunks (Townsend's, Least and Yellow Pine), Squirrels (Grey and Douglas), Northern Flying Squirrel, Deer Mouse (North American and Northwestern), Pacific Jumping Mouse, Bushy-Tailed Woodrat, Voles (Montane, Long-Tailed, Water, Red-Backed and Western Heather), Porcupine, Northern Pocket Gopher, Bobcat, Mountain Lion, Coyote, Red Fox, Black Bear, Raccoon, Short-Tailed and Long-Tailed Weasels, Mink, American Marten, Northern River Otter, Wolverine, American Badger, Skunk (Striped and Western Spotted), Deer (Mule and Black-Tailed), Rocky Mountain Elk, Mountain Goats.

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Wildlife birding

Key Birding Locations

Mount Index/Skykomish River (Index)

Habitat: Index Cliff, a 400-foot granite wall, and nearby river and forestland

Peregrine Falcons can be seen moving to and from their cliff side nests April-early August. Cliff swallows can also be seen from the base of the cliffs. Hooded Mergansers and Harlequin Ducks are often seen in the river

Iron Goat Trail (Stevens Pass Greenway) 

(Discover Pass Required to park at trailhead)

Habitat: Alder wetlands, cedar and fir forest

Western Tanager, Warbler (Wilson's, Yellow-Rumped, MacGillivray's, Orange-crowned and Townsend's), Thrush (Varied, Swainson's and Hermit), Grosbeak (Black-Headed and Evening), Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Sooty Grouse, Red Crossbill


Fish Lake (Near Lake Wenatchee)

(Fee to park at The Cove Resort)

Habitat: 500-acre lake, cattail marsh, mixed coniferous-deciduous forest

Osprey, Wilson's Phalaropes, Red-Breasted Nuthatches, Common Yellow-Throats, Sharp-Shinned Hawks, Violet-Green Swallows, Brewer's Blackbirds, American Coots, Common Loons, Ring-necked ducks, Barrow's Goldeneyes

Birding Guide
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Wildlife Guide
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Field Guides
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Stevens Pass Greenway Lodging, Dining, Activities & Info
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