2025 CCE - TOOLS OF THE TRADE (TOTT) Community Celebration Event

The focus of this CCE is geocaching Tools of the Trade (TOTT).  Many TOTTs are available online. However, geocachers are quite creative and many times design their own.  Please bring your favorite TOTTs along for display and demonstration.  

There are many caches along the trails in the NSRA.  Enjoy caching before, during, and after this CCE. Click here for trail MAPs and future trail development activity

NORTHERN STATE RECREATION AREA

History - In 1991, Skagit County purchased a 726-acre portion of the former Northern State Hospital from the State of Washington for the purpose of developing a major regional recreation facility for the citizens of Skagit County and beyond. The site, now called the Northern State Recreation Area (NSRA), is located on the eastern edge of the urban growth area of Sedro-Woolley in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.

Prior to closing in the 1970's, NSRA was the working farm associated with the Northern State Hospital. Perched on a plateau overlooking the southern meadows are the abandoned dairy barns from the farm operations, built in 1921.  It was once the largest facility for mentally ill people in Washington State, Northern State Mental Hospital was a town unto itself. The hospital was established in 1909 after the over-crowded conditions at Western State Hospital came under public criticism. Northern State’s grand opening happened in 1912.

The Olmstead Brothers, whose father was famous for having designed New York City’s Central Park, designed the landscape at Northern State. Renowned architects Saunders and Lawton designed the hospital’s buildings. They worked in close collaboration with Northern State’s farm superintendent to create a self-sustaining and therapeutic colony for the mentally ill. The hospital site included patient and staff housing, a water reservoir, sewage system, lumber mill, quarry, steam plant, greenhouse, canning facilities, gymnasium, library, laundry, dining room, bakery, dairy, and 700-acre farm for growing vegetables and raising livestock. A cemetery was also included in the site plan.  At one time in the 1950s about 2,700 patients lived at Northern State. 

The public perception of mental hospitals began to change in the 1970s, and Northern State Mental Hospital closed its doors in 1976 after the State Legislature cut off funding. Some of the buildings, including the farm’s housing ward, have since been torn down

Today - Disc golf, picnicking, geocaching, and hiking are some of the activities open to the public at NSRA.  Dogs (on leash) and horses are also allowed.  Please note that the active buildings at Northern State are off-limits to members of the public.