Start at Haag Cove
The Sherman Creek Wildlife Area is a shared trail system managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Park Service. Its routes vary in length according to the paths chosen, giving visitors room to shape a short wildlife-viewing walk or a longer link between trailheads. The NPS-managed starting point is at Haag Cove Campground, 10 yards/30 feet to the left of campsite 17. NPS
The trail is mostly flat with a gentle grade, on dirt scattered with grass rather than pavement. That easy profile makes the network suitable for a leisurely hike, while its branching connections mean it helps to choose a destination before setting off. NPS
North to Mellenberger Bridge
From Haag Cove, the northbound route to Mellenberger Bridge Trailhead is 2.10 miles. Along the way, an eastbound branch leads on Reed Farm to Ferry Landing for 0.61 miles; just north of that cutoff, the 0.83-mile Sherman Point Loop branch heads east, then curves south to reconnect with the Reed Farm to Ferry Landing trail. NPS
Beyond Mellenberger Bridge, the northbound trail to Sherman Homes is 1 mile. The Hatchery Loop offers an alternative that heads east, north, and west to reconnect with that route, covering 0.86 miles. These named links let a walk turn back toward its starting corridor or continue deeper into the network. NPS
Connections toward Headquarters
At Sherman Homes, the eastbound Sherman Homes Road Connection runs 0.25 miles to the Wilkie Access Bypass, which continues north for 0.29 miles and reconnects with Wilkie Access Road. Another option from Sherman Homes is the northbound Wilkie Access Road, 0.42 miles, which meets the Sherman Homes Road to HQ trail. NPS
On the way toward the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Headquarters Trailhead, a junction about halfway along offers the northbound Spur Below HQ trail for 0.22 miles. Turning south on the HQ to Sherman Homes Trail ultimately reconnects to Sherman Homes Road Connection. The Headquarters trailhead to Sherman Homes Road is 1.11 miles; Sherman Homes Spur is a further named connection of 0.15 miles back to Wilkie Access Bypass. NPS
Pick an access point
Haag Cove is the convenient NPS-managed access: no Discover Pass is required to park at the campground. The other listed trailheads and parking areas—the Agriculture Field Parking Area, Mellenberger Bridge Trailhead, and Headquarters Trailhead—are managed by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and require a Discover Pass. NPS
Because the network is mostly flat, dirt, and scattered grass, route length and connection choices shape the outing more than steep terrain. Start at Haag Cove for the full chain of options, or use another trailhead when a shorter link between named places better suits the day. NPS
Sources & further reading
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