Rangers with the Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest are introducing a new interpretive program near Snoqualmie Pass later this month.

Rangers from the Snoqualmie Ranger District at North Bend will guide visitors through 90-minute nature walks to Gold Creek Pond in the Gold Creek Valley just east of Snoqualmie Pass summit, according to a news release from the U.S Forest Service.

Rangers will explain how restoring the pond created a variety of wildlife and natural systems, teach about resident bull trout, beaver and the nature of invasive plants and animals. Visitors also will have the chance to see osprey, beaver, elk and kokanee, which are landlocked sockeye salmon.

Gold Creek Pond has a Watchable Wildlife designation, indicating the trail accommodates all ages and abilities. The walk follows a one-mile paved loop with no climbing involved.

“We are really excited about this new program that the public can enjoy and learn about an interesting place in the forest,” district ranger Jim Franzel said in the release. “Participants will enjoy hearing the unusual history of the pond.”

The nature walks will be at 10 a.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. on Sundays, beginning July 19 and running through Sept. 14.

For more information and to make reservations, call the Forest Service Visitor Information Center at 425-434-6111 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays. Reservations are required. A $10 donation per person is requested to offset the cost of the program.

On The Web

Go to www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs for more information, places of interest and a list of activities at the forest.