Get back to nature at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

This story begins in the majestically-forested foothills near Mount Rainier. Dr. David and Connie Hellyer purchased land there in 1937, and lived on it for over 40 years. In 1971, the Hellyers donated their land to the Tacoma Metropolitan Parks District, with the explicit intent to create a conservation habitat that the public could enjoy. After four years of diligent fundraising and planning, Northwest Trek officially opened its doors on July 17, 1975.

Northwest Trek: Experience Washington’s wildlife in the outdoors

Washington Our Home
April 23, 2014
Family, Mt. Rainier, Recreation, Western Washington, Wildlife
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In a split second, I knew it was a bald eagle as it shot by about ten feet overhead. I had never been that close to one in flight before. The unmistakable white markings, yellow beak and talons and gargantuan wingspan that easily distinguished it from the more common ravens and falcons in Ocean Shores were clearly visible just before it disappeared over the roofline as quickly as it had materialized.