Looking for a scenic walk rich in Harbor history, flora and fauna? You can find all of the above and more along the Preachers (or Preacher’s) Slough to Blue Slough trail near Montesano. You can catch glimpses of the past and the present along this trail while traveling back some 15,000 years to a time when ice covered the land; learning how a missed chicken dinner gave the slough its name; and discovering the connection between today’s forests and tomorrow’s salmon.
How Preachers Slough Got Its Name
Perhaps the most intriguing story about the slough is how it got its name. A slough, by the way, is a swamp or shallow lake system, usually a backwater to a larger body of water. The word “slough” is typically used to describe wetlands. That’s a perfect description of this 7.2 mile out-and-back trail hugging the Chehalis River Surge Plain Natural Area Preserve.
“In 1859, the young Methodist-Episcopal minister, J.S. Douglas got around the newly formed Grays Harbor circuit by rowboat, shoes, saddle, and canoe,” explains the DNR and trail-side signs. “One fall afternoon, Reverend Douglas set out to row from the Byles home (Cosmopolis) to the Scammon family claim (South Montesano). Thoughts of a fine chicken dinner filled his mind until he found himself at the ‘end of the river.’ He had missed the main channel and entered a slough. He was late for his dinner and his bed, but the story so amused the people of Grays Harbor that they named the waterway before you Preachers Slough.”
Local Grays Harbor History Runs the Course of Preachers Slough Near Montesano
History buffs will also find much to engage their interest and whet their appetite for more. For example, in the 1930s, trains loaded with logs passed by the area, bound for sawmills in Grays Harbor.
Before most of the surge plain was returned to the plants and animals, people tried to farm it. They were more successful at growing children. The Peterson and Willis families had 12 each. Because transportation was difficult, a school was needed right on the surge plain. The Petersons donated the land for it, according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The school was located across the highway from the trail. Every month, Mr. Willis rowed to Montesano and then hiked to city hall for school supplies. Native Americans also came to the area to gather resources, including cattail.
Where to Walk Near Montesano: Preachers Slough
Today the Preachers Slough Trail is nestled amid tall trees a stone’s throw from Highway 107. You can hear the hum of traffic. But the dense foliage and winding river make you feel like you’re as far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life as Douglas was from his elusive chicken dinner.
The Preachers Slough Trail is level, well-maintained and family friendly. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots are recommended. Be advised that it can be muddy in places during wet weather. Leashed dogs are welcome. Please remember to clean up after your pet.
A Discover Pass is required. You can purchase an Annual Pass for $35.00 or a One-Day Pass for $11.50 here.
As you walk, the Chehalis River plays hide-and-seek through trees wearing thick fleeces of moss. The trail is dotted with interpretive signs tucked among the trees. Signs explain the natural systems at work and provide information about salmon habitat. They also explain why the railroad no longer runs on this side of the slough.
A bench overlooking the river can be found at about the halfway point. This is a good place to have a snack or a water break. It makes a good turnaround point if you so desire. Some hikers enjoy sitting here and soaking up some solitude or listening to bird song. We’ve also watched otter frolic and osprey fish from a nearby observation platform.
Hemmed by verdant forest and Renoir palettes of wildflowers in season, the interpretive trail highlights the important part the forest and surge plain play in a healthy ecosystem. This surge plain “contains the largest and best quality tidal surge plain wetland in the state,” notes the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This includes sloughs that shelter young salmon and other fish as well as plants and animals that thrive in wetlands. The area offers a treasure trove for birders and walking enthusiasts young and old. It’s also a hidden gem for those interested in exploring the area’s lush biodiversity.
The Preachers Slough Trail is open year-round. However, if you decide to hike this trail in fall or winter, please be sure to check Chehalis River levels and tide charts for Montesano. This will help you avoid floods related to rising or falling tides.
How to Find Preachers Slough Trail Near Montesano
Located off Highway 107 between Cosmopolis and Montesano, the Preachers Slough to Blue Slough Trail is easy to miss. But nature lovers and those seeking a soul-saturating stroll along the Chehalis River will enjoy this local gem.
From Montesano, at the junction of U.S. 12 and Highway 107, travel south and west on Highway 107 for about 3.8 miles. Turn right at Preachers Slough Road and then left into the trailhead parking area (130 feet). Trail parking and a few picnic tables are on the left.
