Road and Trail News

10 Fall Trail Rides for Fabulous WA Foliage

Paul Tolmé — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 22:26:54 +0000

10 Fall Trail Rides for Fabulous WA Foliage Paul Tolmé Mon, 09/15/2025 - 15:26

Publication/Release Date

Tue, 09/16/2025 - 12:00

News Category

Road and Trail News

Author

Paul Tolmé

Read time

5 min read

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September and October are two of the most beautiful months to ride bikes in Washington state, thanks to crisp fall temperatures and abundant trails.

With the first day of autumn just around the corner on Sept. 22, here are a few trails we recommend for enjoying colorful fall foliage–minus the cars.

East Lake Sammamish Trail

Spanning the eastern shoreline of Lake Sammamish from Redmond to Issaquah, this 11-mile trail is one of the Eastside's most beautiful paved bike paths. Stop for lunch at one of the picnic tables or extend your ride by continuing on to the Issaquah-Preston-Snoqualmie Trail.

King County completed the East Lake Sammamish Trail in 2023 following decades of advocacy by Cascade and a long legal fight to reclaim this public right-of-way from homeowner encroachment. Read more in our story, “Come Ride the Eastside’s Most Beautiful Trail.”

Locks to Lakes Corridor

Feeling ambitious? Pedal all the way from Seattle to the East Lake Sammamish Trail and beyond on the 44-mile Locks to Lakes Corridor that links the Burke-Gilman Trail to the Sammamish River, Marymoor Connector, East Lake Sammamish, and Issaquah-Preston trails.

Snohomish Centennial Trail

A key segment of Cascade’s Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party, the Snohomish Centennial Trail is a 30-mile paved rail trail that extends between postcard-pretty City of Snohomish and the Skagit County line north of Arlington.

Be sure to visit the Nakashima Heritage Barn at the trail’s northern terminus. Built in 1908, this historic red barn and surrounding farmlands were stolen from the Nakashima family in 1942 when the U.S. government rounded up Americans of Japanese descent and sent them to internment camps.

Whitehorse Regional Trail

Spanning 27 miles between Arlington and Darrington, the Whitehorse Regional gravel trail follows the path of the former BNSF railroad and meanders from farmlands to forests through the North Stillaguamish River Valley. Map.

There are two closures on the Whitehorse: the first near its connection to the Snohomish Centennial Trail, and the second near Darrington, where the French Creek Bridge is under repair. “The remainder of the trail is open to the public and much of the trail has recently been resurfaced with compacted gravel,” says Snohomish County Parks.

Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail

Washington state’s longest trail, the Palouse to Cascades offers opportunities to ride amidst a variety of autumnal landscapes–from the deciduous forests of the Cascades foothills to the arid high desert sagelands of eastern WA.

Last fall, my wife and I escaped overcast Seattle for the sunnier and drier eastern side of the Cascades and booked a room in Ellensburg for two days of riding: westward 25 miles to Cle Elum on day one and eastward to the Renslow Trestle and back on the second.

The trailside willows provided a burst of bright yellow against the creekside reflections of vivid blue skies.

Klickitat State Park Trail

One of five long-distance trails operated by Washington State Parks, the Klickitat Trail follows a former rail corridor in south-central Washington along the Oregon border. Bring a gravel or mountain bike to ride the 16-mile segment between Lyle and the small town of Klickitat, and then pick up the trail at Wahkius and ride through Swale Canyon.

Note that Swale Canyon is closed until Oct. 8 due to fire danger. Learn more from the Klickitat Trail Conservancy.

Willapa Hills State Park Trail

Pedal from farmlands to the coast on this relatively flat long-distance rail that connects the farmlands near Chehalis to the oyster farms of Willapa Bay in southwestern WA. Not yet completed but rideable for most of its 56 miles (aside from a few old railroad bridges you may want to walk over) this east-west trail parallels State Route 6 and follows the Chehalis River and Rock Creek.

Washington State Parks Planner Eric Olmsted provided us with this update: “We have repaired decking on one of the bridges, surfaced a section with compacted gravel, and the SR6 overpass has been completed.“ There is one detour due to a washout West of Menlo at Hunt Club Road where Olmsted suggests using the adjacent highway bridge to cross the creek.

Read our 2021 story, ”From Farmlands to Oyster Beds,” for ideas on a two-day out and back ride with an overnight in South Bend.
Get info on trail detours from State Parks.

Foothills Trail

Recently re-opened fully in July, this paved rail trail stretches for 24 miles from Puyallup to Buckley, now including the new Spiketon Ditch Bridge. Start at Farm 12 for a delicious brunch and coffee and ride from there. One of the most scenic sections begins in Orting where the trail follows the Carbon River through farmlands and offers unobstructed views of Mount Rainier.

Cross the White River Bridge in Buckley and continue on to Enumclaw on the Enumclaw Trail. Look for eagles in the tall trees along the river. Learn more on the Pierce County website, including the new Spiketon Ditch Bridge and how to ride it.

Snoqualmie Valley Trail

Spanning the Cascade foothills from Duvall to North Bend, this 31-mile gravel trail (with a short road detour through Snoqualmie) brings riders through the lush green farmlands and forests of the Snoqualmie River Valley.

At the trail terminus in North Bend you can connect with the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail that climbs up to Snoqualmie Pass and then stretches all the way to Idaho. Download a map of the entire trail on the North Bend website.

Olympic Discovery Trail: Port Angeles to Sequim Bay

Beginning in the sailing community of Port Townsend and ending in La Push on the Pacific coast, this trail corridor is a key segment of the Great American Rail Trail. While there are many great trail segments, much of the corridor requires people to bike on roadways.

For a stress-free paved trail ride (with a few short gravel segments), my wife and I love the East Central-River and Prairie section between Port Angeles and Sequim Bay State Park. Approximately 26 miles each way, this ride makes a great out-and-back–with abundant food and lodging options in Port Angeles or camping in Sequim Bay State Park.

Kitsap Color Classic

While not a trail ride, Cascade’s annual fall rolling hills ride on Sunday, Oct. 12, offers the chance to bike our state’s beautiful Kitsap Peninsula with food and rest stops and a finish line party. The abundant maples that line the streets of historic Port Gamble offer a colorful explosion of oranges, yellows, and reds.

The Emotional Journey of Riding Solo (Mostly) Across WA

Paul Tolmé — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 16:16:23 +0000

The Emotional Journey of Riding Solo (Mostly) Across WA Paul Tolmé Wed, 10/16/2024 - 09:16

Publication/Release Date

Wed, 10/16/2024 - 14:33

News Category

Road and Trail News

Author

Paul Tolmé

Read time

8 min read

Content Blocks

It was a solo, long-distance, “bucket-list ride” meant to inspire others, and prove to herself that she could ride across Washington alone.

On May 26, Let’s Go Program Coordinator Shannon Mangan headed east from La Push on the Pacific coastline toward Idaho. Her 650-mile, 12-day route included portions of the Olympic Discovery Trail and the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail.

“I want to inspire others to take wild bikepacking trips of their own,” Shannon says. “If I could make this trip as a second-year bikepacker, then others can, too.”

Long days in the saddle enabled Shannon to experience the profound joy of simple pleasures: a visit from a friend, the luxurious comfort of cheap motels, the satisfaction of gas station corn dogs. She also persevered through moments of loneliness, wrong turns, and torrential rain.

Riding across Washington isn’t for everyone, but it’s a trip you’ll remember forever. Read Shannon’s trip report below, and get her gear tips at the bottom.

Day 1: La Push to Forks, 16 miles

My spouse dropped me off in the rain at First Beach in La Push on Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula in the northeastern corner of the state. I was nervous but excited to begin after months of planning.

A couple dogs chased me out of town as I headed toward Forks on La Push Road/State Route 110. Sixteen miles later, I checked into my AirBnB and bought dinner at Three Rivers Resort. It was an easy start to what I knew would be a challenging adventure.

Day 2: Forks to Littleton Horse Camp, 26 miles

It rained most of the day. I spent much of the time on shoulders or sharing a car lane while riding along U.S. Highway 101. Just before the town of Sapho, I turned onto the paved Olympic Discovery Trail. The beginning of the ODT transports you deep into the woods, and you can’t hear a single car.

I intended to stay at Fairholme Campground but learned in the morning that it has no guaranteed bike camping. I spotted Littleton Horse Camp on the map and headed there, hoping for the best. There was a toilet but no water, no shower, or amenities.

Day 3: Littleton Horse Camp to Sequim State Park, 72 miles

Most of my stuff was wet from two days of steady rain, so I reorganized my bags to separate wet from dry before rejoining the Olympic Discovery Trail. I passed Lake Crescent and expected to arrive in Port Angeles in two-and-a-half hours to fill up on food and water. Instead, it took almost four hours because I made a wrong turn. Luckily I found a Texaco near Lake Sutherland and I hydrated and fueled myself.

The Olympic Discovery Trail between Port Angeles and Sequim is beautiful and hilly, although I walked my bike up several steep hills on the way to Sequim Bay State Park.

This park is amazing. The camp sites, beach views, and bathrooms were glamorous compared to my rough accommodations at the horse camp. I took a hot shower and used the hand dryers to dry my bibs, socks, and gloves.

Day 4: A Detour Home to Dry Out

I got rolling around 11 a.m. and it immediately started raining. Within 30 minutes, all my layers were soaked. It got worse when I left the trail for Hwy 101, where I got pelted by rain spray from passing cars.

Around 12:30 p.m., I stopped at Fat Smitty’s restaurant to warm up and shelter from the rain. An hour passed and the rain worsened. So I went with my gut and made a decision to dry out at home in Seattle instead of camping at Kitsap State Park.

I caught the Clallam 123 (The Strait Shot) bus at the Discovery Bay stop outside Fat Smitty’s. The bus took me to the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal, where I took the ferry to downtown Seattle. From there it was a quick trip home. Sometimes you gotta improvise.

Day 5: Rest Day

One day ahead of schedule, I dried my gear and prepared for the long ride up and over the Cascades toward Idaho.

Day 6: Seattle to Lake Easton State Park, 78 miles

The Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail between North Bend and Lake Easton is uphill most of the way on firm gravel, with a steady two-percent to three-percent railroad grade. This is where I got my start on gravel and distance riding, and I recommend this trail to anyone who wants to try gravel riding.

Near the summit of Snoqualmie Pass the route passes through the two-mile-long Snoqualmie Tunnel. The tunnel is exciting, but also cold, dark, and spooky if you’re alone. Bring a jacket and lights. No light? No go.

Exiting the tunnel, it’s a fast descent to Lake Easton State Park–one of my favorite camping spots in the state. My head and legs were rested, and I was refreshed and excited to keep cycling east.

Day 7: Lake Easton State Park to a hotel in Ellensburg, 40 miles

Almost rolled over a rattlesnake. And then another. I went through three more shorter tunnels before arriving in Ellensburg, where I got a room at one of the cheapest motels in town. It felt like a palace. If it's in your budget, I recommend crashing in a motel occasionally. I fell asleep at 8 p.m., and it was an excellent end to one of the longest and most tiring days of my trip.

Day 8: Ellensburg to Wanapum State Park, 36 miles

I passed through the staging area of the Ellensburg Pride Parade and wanted to linger and enjoy the festivities but, alas, I had to reach the Columbia River before dark. Onward.

The Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail heading east out of Ellensburg was softer, looser, and slower than to the west but I pushed through. The campground at Wanapum State Park was green, lovely, and comfortable although it has a reputation for being windy. The sunset was breathtaking. If not pressed for time, I could have stayed a couple extra days.

Day 9: Wanapum State Park to Othello Hotel, 40 miles

I awoke to a beautiful sunrise, packed, and headed out. The route east of Wanapum State Park is remote and services are limited so you must be prepared to repair your own bike and have all the supplies and tools necessary. I spent most of the day on roads, with a mix of gravel and pavement.

Othello is my dream town. It’s small, with a centralized town center and a superb park. I ordered a big meal at Ramiro’s Restaurant, then headed across the street to stock up on bread and pastries for the next day. I checked into my hotel at 3 p.m. and washed my stinky and dirty shirt in the sink with shampoo.

Day 10: Othello to Potholes State Park, 25 miles

My route brought me through the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. I tried to ride on hiking trails through the refuge but they were rough and thorny and I walked a lot. Stay on the main road through the refuge!

The good news? I had pastries and cold water my entire ride toward Potholes State Park.

O'Sullivan Dam Road, the only route to Potholes, has almost no shoulder. But I made it safely and discovered a gas station and convenience store with hot foods nearby. I got some corn dogs and ate them at my campsite. High winds prevented me from setting up my tent so I laid on a tarp under a tree until the winds calmed. I was excited for Day 11 because my friend Melanie would be joining me.

Day 11, Potholes State Park to hotel in Ritzville, 45 miles

Melanie arrived in the morning and we stocked up on snacks at a gas station, tossed my bike in her car, and drove to the town of Warden, where we parked her car at the police station and rode onto the Palouse to Cascades trail.

Having company for an entire day was a treat. I kept telling Melanie how happy I was. Then, six miles from Ritzville, as side winds slammed us, Melanie crashed at the bottom of a descent. Luckily, she wasn't badly injured and her bike still worked so after calming down and dusting off we rode onward to Ritzville.

The hotel staff in Ritzville offered us extra towels because we looked dusty and beat up. After a shower, we feasted at a nearby Mexican restaurant. Simple pleasures are so important following a long day on the bike.

Day 12: Ritzville to Rosalia, 60 miles

Melanie’s spouse picked her up in the morning and I got a lift to the next town. I was alone again.

The Rosalia City Park is located right off the Palouse to Cascades trail. I called ahead and got permission to camp there. With seven miles to go, my rear tire went flat. I did not anticipate my tubeless tires failing, and I made a mistake by only bringing one tube, no sealant, and no patch kit. I installed the tube, hoped I wouldn’t get another puncture, and completed my journey to Rosalia.

After a big sandwich and a caffeinated beverage at Pine Creek Provisions I set up camp in the park. The sun was setting, and I had the whole place to myself. After a shower (park staff unlocked the showers for me), I began thinking about whether I should continue the journey or stop here.

I didn’t have any more tubes or a patch kit. Also, I had biked to Idaho the year prior, so I knew that the remote stretch of trail ahead would be risky without flat protection. So I called my loved one, who agreed to pick me up the following day. This was the end of my 12-day adventure.

Despite stopping short of Idaho, I was completely satisfied. The goal had been to push myself, to explore our beautiful state, and to escape the normalcy of everyday life for the wonders and challenges of the natural world.

Things Shannon Wishes She’d Packed:

more chamois cream
a first aid kit
another tube or a patch kit

Things Shannon’s Glad She Packed:

a Kula reusable antimicrobial pee cloth
pepper spray
pocket knife
a second pair of socks.

Bike Gear Setup

Specialized Diverge Comp with 42 mm Specialized Pathfinder Pro tires
Topeak 8L seat bag
custom full-frame bag from Kat Litty Designs
Swift Industries Zeitgeist handlebar bag.
Two feed bags (one from Ellum Bag Works, the other a Swift Industries Gibby Stem Bag)
Craft Cadence Top Tube Bag.

Sleep System:

Sea to Summit Ether Light XT sleeping mat
Pillow Strap pillow and pillow case
Sea To Summit Ultralight Quilt
Sea To Summit Reactor Fleece Sleeping Bag Liner

Hydration:

a 24-ounce bottle and a 1.5 liter Nalgene

Clothing:

one bibshorts
two hooded sun shirts
a merino thermal shirt
thermal leggings
one mid-layer jacket
rain jacket
cycling cap
two pairs of underwear
neck gaiter
two pairs of socks
clip-in bike shoes
flip flops

Biking Tacoma’s Trail Network & Closing Shoreline’s Interurban Gap

Paul Tolmé — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 18:25:35 +0000

Biking Tacoma’s Trail Network & Closing Shoreline’s Interurban Gap Paul Tolmé Wed, 09/25/2024 - 11:25

Publication/Release Date

Wed, 09/25/2024 - 14:51

News Category

Road and Trail News

Author

Paul Tolmé

Read time

6 min read

Content Blocks

Cascade Bicycle Club recently organized two bike rides in Tacoma and Shoreline that brought together state and local elected officials, bike advocates, municipal traffic engineers, and members of the Leafline Trails Coalition to celebrate local regional trails, and learn about opportunities to close trail gaps and improve active transportation in both cities.

The first ride took place on Sept. 11, when we led 25 individuals on a 12-mile loop of Tacoma that linked three of the city’s best bike trails–the Prairie Line, Water Flume Line, and Scott Pierson multi-use paths.

Heading out on the Prairie Line Trail through downtown Tacoma.

The second ride took place on Sept. 20 in Shoreline, where 35 people including state Senate Transportation Chairman Marko Liias and elected officials from Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace toured the Interurban Trail Gap.

Both were organized by Davíd Urbina, Cascade’s Puget Sound policy and community rides manager. Urbina is the project manager for the Leafline Trails Coalition, which is working to link 900 miles of trails in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.

“These trail activation rides are an opportunity for community members, elected officials and transportation professionals to get a firsthand look at trail conditions and to visualize potential solutions for connecting our regional bike network,” Urbina says. “Our goal is to bring trail supporters together to strategize and share ideas so that we can collaborate and advance progress.”

Barb Chamberlain, director of the Active Transportation Division for WSDOT, participated in the Leafline Tacoma ride on her Gazelle electric bike.

Tacoma Prairie Line Ride

The Tacoma ride took place on the eve of Washington Bikes’ two-day Bike, Walk, and Roll Summit. We started downtown near the Tacoma Art Museum, where the city is building an extension of the Prairie Line Trail from South 21st Street to South 25th Street. Known as Phase 2 of the Prairie Line Trail Development, this new segment of shared-use path in Tacoma’s Brewery District will link the Prairie Line to the existing Water Flume Line Trail.

The Prairie Line Trail is a short but attractively bricked pathway that passes through the University of Washington-Tacoma campus. “It’s a wonderful example of incorporating historically significant rail transportation corridors into modern day active transportation infrastructure,” Urbina says.

Before starting the ride, the 25 participants listened to comments from Liz Kaster, Tacoma’s principal transportation planner and active transportation coordinator, who described the city’s ongoing work to connect the Prairie Line to the Water Flume Line trail in 2025.

Liz Kaster

Check out the Tacoma Bike Mobility Map to see the overlay of existing, funded, and planned bike infrastructure. Local historian Michael Sullivan then spoke about the history of the Prairie Line.

After a safety briefing, we pedaled off and began our tour. At the conclusion of the Prairie Line, we used city streets to reach the painted bike lanes along heavily trafficked South Tacoma Way, which led us to the Water Flume Line Trail.

The four-mile Water Flume Line Trail passes through South Park and Oak Tree Park, green spaces, parallels tree-lined streets, and skirts past South Tacoma schoolyards.

On the Water Flume Line Trail.

At the end of the Water Flume Line our group pedaled in unprotected bike lanes along South Clement, some protected lanes on South 66th, and South Tyler streets to reach the Scott Pierson Trail, which brought us back toward downtown and our starting point. As in many cities, portions of Scott Pierson have been populated with people experiencing homelessness. See our Ride With GPS map of the route.

One key takeaway is that many of the on-street segments were stressful due to close proximity to automobile traffic.

The trail segments felt safer and more comfortable for many individuals in our group. Thankfully, the city of Tacoma has funded plans to make Tyler a separated bike lane, as well as 66th. South Tacoma Way is also currently being retrofitted to include a protected extension of the Water Flume Trail and better signage and markings along the portion of the road with painted bike lanes.

Much work remains, but there is good trail news: the Washington State Department of Transportation is working on a plan to connect the Prairie Line and Water Flume to the planned Spuyaləpabš Trail, creating a 12-mile regional shared-use path that connects South Tacoma and downtown Tacoma to the communities of Fife and Puyallup. Spuyaləpabš is the Lushootseed name for the Puyallup People, translated as "people from the bend at the bottom of the river." Lushootseed is the native language of 13 Pacific Northwest tribes, including the Puyallup Tribe.

Learn more about the history and future of the Prairie Line Trail, and the Prairie Line Phase 2 project.

Closing the Interurban Trail Gap

The Interurban Trail spans from North Seattle to South Everett, largely following the right-of-way of the former Interurban Railway that closed in 1939. Some segments of the Interurban right-of-way have been usurped for road construction, creating gaps that require people to bike along busy roadways before reconnecting with the trail.

One of these gaps is caused by State Route 104 at the border of King and Snohomish counties in Shoreline. This is where the local bike advocacy nonprofit, North Sound Bicycle Advocates, proposes building a bike and pedestrian bridge over SR 104 to reconnect severed segments of the historical Interurban right-of-way.

State Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Marko Liias, left, and Urbina

Last Friday, Sept. 20, the Leafline Trails Coalition and North Sound Bicycle Advocates organized a group ride and walk where 35 people including local and state elected officials gathered to learn about and advance efforts to close the gap by building a bike and pedestrian bridge over SR 104. Participants included state Sen. Marko Liias of Edmonds, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and a supporter of trails and bike infrastructure statewide; Christine Frizzel, mayor of Lynnwood; Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, Lynnwood City Council; and Rory Paine-Donovan, Mountlake Terrace City Council.

“Bridging State Route 104 would be a big step forward in making the Interurban Trail a continuous, car-free route,” says Urbina. “This is an infrastructure gap that affects all residents of Shoreline, Edmonds, Lynnwood and the entire region, and closing it will be a huge improvement for everyone who wants to bike, walk, or roll between North Seattle and Snohomish County.”

First, our group walked a quarter-mile section of grassy and unused rail line corridor that trail supporters and elected officials hope to convert into a paved segment of the Interurban Trail. The right-of-way dead ends at a steep, bramble-covered slope that leads up to SR 104. This is where one end of the bridge project would begin.

After walking the route, our group then biked through the busy intersection of SR 104 and Meridian Avenue/76th Avenue West, which requires people to cross four lanes of fast-moving traffic. Our group re-gathered on the other side of SR 104 to visualize how a bridge over the highway could re-connect the trail corridor and avoid diverting onto busy surface streets.

Rolling out to ride the Interurban Gap.

North Sound Bicycle Advocates played an instrumental role in educating their local elected officials about the importance of closing the Interurban Gap, and they have secured funding to initiate a design study that will identify the most feasible alternatives for a bike and pedestrian bridge over 104.

Supporters hope to tap federal and state funds to pay for the bridge and associated trail routing. Learn more at InterurbanGap.org.

“We have the opportunity to think big and design a solution that provides a safe and easy to use infrastructure solution that will benefit people for many years to come,” Urbina says.

Learn about Leafline

Both events were a collaboration between Cascade and the Leafline Trails Coalition, a partnership of government agencies, nonprofits, trail managers, businesses including REI, community groups, bike advocates, and engaged citizens working toward a shared goal: to connect the 900 miles of biking and walking trails throughout King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties to form an interconnected regional network that would enable more people to bike and walk for sustainability, health, transportation, and recreation. Learn more about Leafline here.

Bridging Bellevue’s I-90 Gap on the 42-Mile Eastrail

Paul Tolmé — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 19:44:32 +0000

Bridging Bellevue’s I-90 Gap on the 42-Mile Eastrail Paul Tolmé Thu, 07/25/2024 - 12:44

Publication/Release Date

Thu, 07/25/2024 - 14:44

News Category

Road and Trail News

Author

Paul Tolmé

Read time

6 min read

Content Blocks

People eager for completion of the 42-mile Eastrail received great news recently with the announcement of $30 million in federal funding to close the Interstate 90 trail gap in Bellevue and extend the Eastrail northward through Woodinville.

The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grants announced by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and the Biden Administration in June will:

provide $25 million to upgrade an old steel railroad bridge over I-90 in Bellevue and build 1.7 miles of paved trail that will enable people to bike over 16 lanes of I-90 traffic. Learn more from King County Parks.
provide $5 million to extend the Eastrail northward through Woodinville, where railroad tracks were removed last year in preparation for completing about two miles of trail that will extend to Snohomish County. Learn more from the City of Woodinville.

The I-90 steel bridge that will be renovated into a paved multi-use segment of the Eastrail, allowing people to safely bike over freeway traffic. Photo courtesy of King County Parks.

These two projects represent a huge step forward in the effort to complete the Eastrail by 2030. When it’s finished, people will be able to bike 42 miles from Gene Coulon Park at the trail’s southern terminus near Renton through downtown Bellevue, crossing over I-90 and Interstate 405, continuing through Kirkland all the way through Woodinville.

“Eastrail will be a major artery for active transportation and recreation that connects our biggest population hubs on the Eastside, allowing more people to bike, walk, roll, and connect with Sound Transit’s new Eastside light rail stations,” says Davíd Urbina, Cascade’s Puget Sound policy and community rides manager.

Urbina represents Cascade on the Leafline Trails Coalition, which is working to link 450 miles of trails throughout the Puget Sound region. The Eastrail will be a backbone of the Leafline trail network, connecting to trails in Snohomish County, Seattle, Renton and beyond.

“Completing the Eastrail is a big deal,” Urbina says. “It will allow more people to travel car-free throughout our region to get to doctor’s appointments, work, and see friends–improving equity, reducing climate pollution, and promoting public health.”

Riding the Eastrail through Kirkland with David Urbina, left, and Colin Petkus, right. The trail is gravel now but there are plans to improve it to pavement in the future.

Riding the Eastrail

Built on a historic rail corridor, about 18 miles of the Eastrail are currently bikeable. To get a bike rider’s perspective on the trail’s progress, I rode the Eastrail’s northern half with Urbina and Colin Petkus, community collaborations manager for the nonprofit Eastrail Partners. Cascade is a member of the Eastrail Regional Advisory Council.

Colin Petkus

Our first stop was the Wilburton Trestle, a historic 1,000-foot-long, 100-foot-tall railroad bridge in Bellevue. Work is underway to turn the majestic wooden structure into an 18-foot-wide multi-use trail. King County hopes to complete the project in 2026.

The Wilburton Trestle will be a destination for scenic views and a key link in the Eastrail through Bellevue. King County Parks photo.

Artist rendition of Wilburton Trestle. Courtesy of King County Parks

The trestle’s completion will add about four miles to the Eastrail by connecting to a new bike and pedestrian bridge over I-405 that was built by the Washington State Department of Transportation. See King County’s photo album of the Wilburton Trestle.

Completing the Wilburton Trestle and renovating the steel bridge over I-90 will bridge a colossal gap, enabling riders to pedal over a sea of freeway infrastructure and speeding traffic.

People riding south on Eastrail currently hit a dead end at the intersection of Northeast Fourth Avenue, where fences block access to the Wilburton Trestle while construction continues. People who want to bike southward around this gap to reach the southern portion of the Eastrail must detour onto Bellevue streets.

The Bellevue Gap

Petkus from Eastrail Partners provided a Ride with GPS map, Eastrail North to South Connection, for getting around the Bellevue trail gap. “It has bike lanes for much of the route, and some sharrow sections,” he says.

Northeast 8th Avenue Bridge

Departing from the Wilburton Trestle construction zone, we pedaled northward and stopped at the new bike and pedestrian bridge over Northeast Eighth Avenue, one of the busiest traffic corridors in Bellevue.

Pedaling up the new bike bridge over one of Bellevue's busiest roadways.

Opened in June, the bridge enables people to cross over six lanes of traffic and provides an important connection to the new Wilburton Link light rail station located beside the bridge, which is adorned with murals and educational plaques that detail the region’s racist past.

During World War II, Japanese residents who owned strawberry farms in the area were rounded up and put on trains bound for internment camps where the U.S. government imprisoned about 120,000 Japanese Americans.

“They were actually put on trains here along the Eastrail,” Petkus says. “It’s very much part of the history of our railway that it was used to ship people away to concentration camps.”

The bridge and its murals are an important reminder of the systemic racism and theft of land that shaped our nation and modern Bellevue. Learn more about the bridge and its artwork from King County.

Pedaling northward on the Eastrail, we passed the Northup Connector bridge that opened in December, linking the Eastrail to the SR-520 Trail that connects Seattle to Redmond. Learn more about the Northup Connector.

Northup Connector.

We ride onward through Kirkland to the Totem Lake Connector that opened in 2023, allowing people to bike over one of Kirkland’s busiest intersections.

Totem Lake Connector

From the Totem Lake Connector, the Eastrail continues for 3.2 miles toward Woodinville’s Tourist District, ending at 145th Street. From here, you can connect with the Sammamish River Trail that connects with the Burke-Gilman and East Lake Sammamish trails.

The Eastrail corridor after 145th remains covered in railroad ballast. Woodinville will use the $5 million federal RAISE grant to plan and design the trail segment from Wilmot Gateway Park to the Snohomnish County line. Completing this segment opens the possibility of connecting to the Snohomish Centennial Trail.

The next several years will bring big progress to the Eastrail, which is to receive about $29 million in funding from the state’s Climate Commitment Act. But an effort to repeal the historic climate law threatens that funding.

Climate Commitment Act Repeal Risk

In November, voters will be asked to vote yes or no on Initiative-2117 to repeal the Climate Commitment Act, which has raised billions of dollars for climate action, equity initiatives, and sustainable transportation projects including $18 million to close the Interstate 90 gap and complete the Eastrail corridor through Bellevue.

The Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes Boards of Directors recently voted to endorse No on 2117 to protect access to bicycling, clean air, and a healthy environment.

Katherine Hollis, executive director of Eastrail Partners, says there is a “high risk” of losing that $18 million if voters repeal the Climate Commitment Act. Here are some of the other Eastrail projects at risk from the repeal effort:

$6 million to acquire land to extend the southern end of Eastrail into Gene Coulon Park. Extending the trail through Gene Coulon Park opens the possibility for connecting the Eastrail to the Interurban and Maple Valley Trails in Renton.
$5 million for the SR-202 trestle widening in Woodinville.
Check out the clickable map here to see other projects statewide that would be threatened if the Climate Commitment Act is repealed.

Let’s Complete the Eastrail

Cascade was instrumental in kickstarting the effort to turn the former rail corridor into a trail, helping to create and co-lead the Eastside Greenway Alliance in 2016 that gathered community support and led to the formation of Eastrail Partners and the current vision of the trail as an active transportation corridor for the Eastside.

We advocate for the timely completion of Eastrail to enable more people to safely travel by bike.

Eastrail Facts:

About 18 of the 42 miles are completed, with the longest span of about 11 miles stretching from N.E. 4th Ave in Bellevue to 145th St. in Woodinville.
The Wilburton Trestle is projected to open in 2026, closing a three-mile gap.
On the south end, the Eastrail currently ends just before Gene Coulon Park along Mountain View Avenue North. To continue south into Renton, take North 33rd Street to the bike lane on Lake Washington Boulevard North.
Link to Eastrail interactive map.

Touring Tacoma on the Water Flume Line Trail

Sara Kiesler — Wed, 15 May 2024 20:48:12 +0000

Touring Tacoma on the Water Flume Line Trail Sara Kiesler Wed, 05/15/2024 - 13:48

Publication/Release Date

Wed, 05/15/2024 - 15:00

News Category

Road and Trail News

Author

Sara Kiesler

Read time

4 min read

Content Blocks

Did you know there’s a fully separated trail in Tacoma that you can bike to visit restaurants as diverse as a Cuban goth bar, a Mexican vegan bakery, and an LGBTQ-owned bagel shop? It’s called the Water Flume Line Trail, and it allows you to bike to two splash pads, three public playgrounds, and multiple hiking trails, among other wonders.

The Water Flume Line Trail is a hidden gem in South Tacoma spanning 2.5 miles from 40th to 80th streets parallel to South Tacoma Way. The trail is central to the history of Tacoma biking. Over 100 years ago, the trail allowed people on bikes to travel from South Tacoma to the foothills of Mt. Rainier and boasted the “longest, highest, and oldest bike bridge.”

Today, its short span might fool you into thinking it’s simply a protected local route for off-street pedestrian strolls and limited bike trips. However, it connects to a number of fun places worth exploring if you’re visiting the City of Destiny, or live here and don’t often visit the trail.

Starting from the north via the 40th Street on-ramp:

At the intersection of South Tacoma Way and 40th Street, the trail begins. To the west, you will see the former home of Browne Flowers, now Emerald City Orchrids with stunning floral displays to explore.

To the east is the entrance to Tacoma’s cemetery, which offers great walking views of landscaping, flowers, and a wide variety of local trees (photo at the top of this blog).

50th Street:

Head south on the trail past the future renovation site of the Asian Pacific Cultural Center and turn right just before South Park to the trail exit to 50th Street.

From there, you can bike down 50th to visit coffee stand “Cheers” or head further down 50th to Washington Street, turn left, and visit “Pastelos Finos del Angel” a Mexican vegan bakery with a delightful owner, Miguel Angel Hernandez, and even tastier pies and cakes. Hernandez does have some dairy and egg baked goods, too, but after a major health renaissance from going plant-based, most of his donuts, cookies, cakes, and French pastries are vegan.

Get back on the trail and keep heading north. After passing South Park with its splash pad, playground, and basketball court, bike another four blocks past gorgeous Garry oaks and turn right on 54th Street.

54th Street and South Tacoma Way: 54th includes painted bike lanes leading from the trail down to Washington Street. I have a library book to drop off at the South Tacoma library, so my first stop is a left turn off 54th onto Warner Street. There are no bike lanes here, sadly, but the street is relatively quiet.

From there, you can zip down the sidewalk on 56th Street to access dozens of unique small businesses on South Tacoma Way. My favorites are:

The Mule Tavern, a dive bar that makes its own house cocktail mixes for old fashioneds and, fittingly, ginger beer-based mule drinks;
Fernseed offers a lot of fun plant babies and modern clay pots;
The Church Cantina is a Cuban goth bar where it’s Halloween year-round and food options include a fan-favorite Krunchwrap;
Pho V&V is a Vietnamese restaurant known for playing jazz music 24/7;
and Howdy Bagel is an LGBTQ-owned bagel shop emblazoned with the motto “y’all means all”.

To get back on the trail, I always take 54th Street back up instead of 56th because the traffic on 56th is dirty and fast. Thankfully, once you are back on the trail, there is a great stoplight at 56th so bikes and pedestrians can cross.

62nd Street:

Head down the trail past Edison Elementary School to 62nd Street. Turn east and head down the road until it curves south and runs into Wapato Hills Park. The park has no bike parking, but if you don’t mind locking your bike to a tree, there are so many things to do. The park has a splash pad, playground, picnic spots, a basketball court, a combo soccer/softball field with backstop, and seven short trails ranging from .17 miles to .87 miles for you to explore on foot.

I packed my basketball and a library book into panniers on a recent warm spring weekend to shoot hoops and have a nice little relaxing read.

To leave the park, head back east on 62nd until you reach the trail. Turn south and we have a few more places to explore! Bike past Arlington Elementary School until you hit 74th Street.

74th Street:

Use the stoplight crosswalk to head into Oak Tree Park, where you can find 25 acres of Garry oak habitat and three short kid-friendly trails. Garry oaks are special ecosystems that grew out of the gravelly soil left by glaciers 15,000 years ago, according to the City of Tacoma’s Metro Parks. By 2013, Garry oak habitat from British Columbia to Northern California had been reduced by 90 percent. These special trees still thrive in Tacoma, thanks to conservationists.

80th Street:

Finally, head up the brief hill to the end of the trail at 80th Street. You will find a bike parking spot here at the intersection. I recommend locking your bike, crossing the street, and walking into the B&I International Market.

If you have never been to this South Tacoma/Lakewood specialty shop, it is hard to describe but quite incredible. Authentic South American cuisine, dollar stores, auto tinting services, alterations services, a full arcade complete with skee-ball and mechanical bull riding, knock- off purses….you name it, this place has it. Get lost and find a new treasure (or new taste) to reward yourself for completing the South Tacoma Water Flume Line Trail tour!

P.S. Want to learn more about the Water Flume Line Trail’s history as a bike lane, and its future 3 miles of planned infrastructure linking South Tacoma with downtown, Tacoma Dome, and the Thea Foss Waterway? Curious about its original purpose of carrying water from Spanaway Lake all the way through Tacoma? Watch this YouTube video from the City of Tacoma.

Come Ride the Eastside’s Most Beautiful Trail

Admin Example — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 21:29:04 +0000

Come Ride the Eastside’s Most Beautiful Trail Admin Example Mon, 10/16/2023 - 14:29

Publication/Release Date

Mon, 10/16/2023 - 07:29

News Category

Road and Trail News

Author

Paul Tolmé

Read time

3 min read

Content Blocks

The East Lake Sammamish Trail is now complete following 26 years of work by King County and organizations, including Cascade Bicycle Club.
We attended the grand opening celebration for the 11-mile trail, which completes the 44-mile Locks to Lakes Corridor from Seattle to Issaquah.

One of the Eastside’s most beautiful bike rides has gotten even better.

King County recently paved and opened a 3.6 mile segment of the East Lake Sammamish Trail, closing a gap that had existed for many years due to waterfront homeowners who had usurped the public right of way.

Now, all 11 miles of the East Lake Sammamish Trail between Redmond and Issaquah are fully paved–and amazing.

Cascade joined a grand opening ceremony on Oct. 7 where elected officials including King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Council Member Claudia Balducci, and many others spoke about the 26-year effort to complete the trail. See King County’s press release and watch their beautifully shot and informative video here.

A Trail for the People

The East Lake Sammamish Trail is among the most beautiful segments of the 44-mile paved Locks to Lake Corridor that connects Seattle to Redmond, Issaquah, and other Eastside communities.

The final 3.6-mile segment features a 12-foot-wide asphalt surface with two-foot-wide gravel shoulders on each side, plus rest areas, picnic tables, signage, a kiosk, and driveway crossings where bikes have the right of way and cars must stop.

The trail follows the old BNSF railroad along Lake Sammamish’s eastern shoreline. Completing the gap in the East Lake Sammamish Trail took decades due to the fact that King County had to go to court to get homeowners to vacate the railroad corridor right-of-way owned by the county.

Cascade has been involved in the fight to complete the trail for decades–organizing supporters, submitting testimony, speaking at public hearings, and working with King County and Eastside elected officials to overcome opposition while building public support.

Now, all the years of hard work have paid off. This lovely stretch of waterfront trail is open and available to everyone–with opportunities for long bike rides that link the East Lake Sammamish Trail to other paved regional trails.

Trail Connections

At its southern end in Issaquah, the East Lake Sammamish trail links to King County’s Issaquah-Preston Trail that continues to the community of Preston and then to the Preston-Snoqualmie Trail.

To the north, the East Lake Sammamish Trail links up with the Marymoor Connector Trail, which connects to the Sammamish River Trail that links to the SR 520 Trail that passes over the 520 Bridge and onward to Seattle.

Or, instead of turning onto the SR 520 Trail, people can continue northward on the Sammamish River Trail to Woodinville and pedal around the top of Lake Washington to connect with the Burke-Gilman Trail, which leads all the way to Ballard and the Seattle waterfront.

A Locks to Lakes Corridor Overnighter

To check out the exciting possibilities that the completion of the East Lake Sammamish Trail offers, my wife and I rode our e-bikes from Seattle on the SR 520 Trail and stopped in Redmond to join the grand opening ceremony, where Cascade organized a bike rodeo course for kids. Cascade Ride Leaders Jeri Bernstein (below right) and Windsor Lewis-Gloy (below left) led a Free Group Ride from Issaquah to Redmond as part of the festivities.

After the ceremony, we pedaled down the East Lake Sammamish Trail, paused to enjoy waterfront views, and stopped in Issaquah. Nearly all of our journey was on paved bike trail (with just a 1.5 mile segment of roadside bike lane in Bellevue along Northup Way and NE 24th Street).

We booked a hotel room in Issaquah and spent the night near Lake Sammamish State Park, going for a sunset stroll on the park’s nature trails and grabbing a beer and dinner at Formula Brewing.

The next morning, we pedaled home. The fall foliage was vibrant along the East Lake Sammamish Trail, which was busy with trail users including people bicycling, jogging, skating, and strolling with baby carriages.

This new trail segment is the latest gap to be filled in the Leafline Trails initiative, a network with more than 500 miles of paved, non-motorized trails across King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties.

Watch the video from Cascade Ride Leader and Best Side Cycling founder Hanoch Yeung to see the newly completed East Lake Sammamish Trail and the grand opening ceremony.

If there was a competition for the Eastside’s most lovely paved trail, the East Lake Sammamish Trail would surely be a top contender. Go ride it.

A Win for Biking on the Seattle Waterfront

Admin Example — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 17:12:11 +0000

A Win for Biking on the Seattle Waterfront Admin Example Fri, 06/30/2023 - 10:12

Publication/Release Date

Fri, 06/30/2023 - 03:12

News Category

Road and Trail News

Author

Paul Tolmé

Read time

2 min read

Content Blocks

Seattle commits to building a continuous two-way bike lane along the city's waterfront
Cascade's advocacy helped lead to this policy win for safer bicycling on one of the city's most popular bike corridors

In a big win for safer bicycling on the Seattle waterfront, the city has announced that it will build a continuous two-way protected bike lane along Alaskan Way. This fills a critical gap in the bike network between the Elliot Bay Trail and the almost completed Seattle Waterfront Trail.

Seattle leaders initially proposed a bike route that jogged away from the waterfront to the east side of Alaskan Way for five blocks before crossing back. It was an impractical and confusing design that prompted a negative community response.

For the last year-and-a-half, Cascade staff has met with dozens of decision makers, conducted site visits, and urged collaboration and negotiation among the parties to improve the design. Success. The city announced today (July 3) that it will instead build a continuous trail on the waterfront side of Alaskan Way–a huge win for people who bike.

Continuous bike path shown above. Below is the detour for when cruise ships are loading or unloading. Images from SDOT.

People riding bikes will still be required to detour across Alaskan Way during hours when cruise ships are actively loading or unloading. This is a big improvement over the original plan that required people biking to cross the street twice at all times, regardless of whether cruise ships were loading.

“Cascade Bicycle Club would like to thank the Seattle Department of Transportation, the mayor’s office, and the Seattle Port Commissioners for listening to the community and coming up with a new design that represents a huge improvement,” says Executive Director Lee Lambert. “Enabling people to ride on a continuous bike path on the west side of Alaskan way for the majority of the year is a safe and sensible compromise.

“This new design shows that when we work together and collaborate we can find compromises that work for everyone. This new design benefits people who bike and meets the business needs of the Port,” Lambert says.

One of Cascade’s Top Five Seattle Priorities

Revising the Waterfront Bike Connection was one of Cascade’s “Top Five Projects for Making Seattle Safer for Bicycling.”

Cascade staff members and Lambert met with every member of the Seattle Port Commission and had many meetings with SDOT leadership and the mayor’s office to advocate for this improved design.

“After a year-and-a-half of advocacy, we have a much-improved plan that will allow people to ride along the waterfront side of Alaskan Way for the majority of the time, only detouring across the street during busy port operations,” Lambert says.

“I’m pleased to see the robust design we’ve all arrived at having worked rigorously within SDOT including input from our Chief Safety Officer and collaborated closely with the Port of Seattle and Cascade Bicycle Club in the last year. The new facility closes a crucial gap in the bike network to make it safer and works with the complex needs at this cruise ship gateway,” says Francisca Stefan, Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Deputy Director.

There’s a lot more process to go. The city expects to finalize its design in December, put the project out to bid next year, and finish construction in 2025. Many details still need to be finalized related to making the bike detour and street crossings across Alaskan Way safe and easy to use. “We are excited to work with the city and port on a final design that meets all users’ needs and results in a world-class bikeable waterfront,” Lambert says.

This is the second win for Cascade’s top five Seattle priorities following the construction earlier this year of a protected two-way bike lane on the Duwamish Trail. We hope to see all five completed – making Seattle a safer place to bike.

Seattle to the Pacific: A Dream Bike Route Gains Momentum

Admin Example — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 16:03:32 +0000

Seattle to the Pacific: A Dream Bike Route Gains Momentum Admin Example Tue, 06/13/2023 - 09:03

Publication/Release Date

Tue, 06/13/2023 - 02:03

News Category

Road and Trail News

Interests

Recreational

Author

Paul Tolmé

Read time

6 min read

Content Blocks

National and regional trail advocates are collaborating on plans to create a trail that would link the Puget Sound to the Pacific Ocean via the Sound to Olympics Trail and Olympic Discovery Trail.
The Puget Sound to Pacific Collaborative has won a $16 million federal grant to fast track planning for this segment of the 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail.

Within a few minutes of beginning a group ride on the Olympic Discovery Trail it became apparent that Gov. Jay Inslee loves to bike.

We pedaled hard to catch up as he sped off down the trail on a sunny weekday morning.

But Inslee was in a rush for good reason. He was scheduled to speak and receive a national trails award in two hours in Sequim, 30 miles away from our starting point in Port Angeles.

I was among a lucky group of a dozen trail advocates offered the fun task of riding to the event with Inslee. How often do you get to draft the governor on a long bike ride?

The occasion was a two-day gathering in early June of regional and national trail advocates convened by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and including the Peninsula Trails Coalition, the Puget Sound to Pacific Collaborative, Cascade Bicycle Club/Washington Bikes, the Washington Trails Association, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, state officials from the Washington Department of Transportation, Washington State Parks, plus many local government officials.

Photo: Jesse Major/Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

The goal of the gathering was to build momentum for completing a 200-mile multi-use trail that will connect Seattle to the Pacific coast. About 100 miles have already been completed. Now, supporters want to fast-track the remaining 100, which would tie together the Olympic Discovery Trail and the fledgling Sound to Olympics Trail for a continuous off-road route dubbed the Puget Sound to Pacific Trail.

“Imagine being able to get on a ferry in downtown Seattle with your bike, enjoying a beautiful ferry trip across Puget Sound, disembarking on Bainbridge Island or in Kingston and then being able to ride to Port Townsend or all the way to the Pacific coast on a multi-use trail,” says Vicky Clarke, policy director for Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes.

“It would be a world-class bike route with incredible economic, health, climate, and equity benefits that would attract people from around the nation and the world. This trail would also serve as a crucial transportation corridor for non-motorized travel linking many suburban, rural, and tribal communities to one another, as well as to our state’s economic center of Seattle,” Clarke says.

Federal Funding for Trail Planning

Supporters of this trail initiative recently received big news from the federal government.

On June 22, the Puget Sound to Pacific Collaborative learned that it has won a $16 million federal grant to fast-track plans for filling trail gaps and completing the remaining 100 miles.

The U.S Department of Transportation RAISE grant will fund the planning and design phase of the Puget Sound to Pacific Trail, which would connect the Olympic Discovery Trail in Jefferson and Clallam counties to the Sound to Olympics Trail in Kitsap County–creating a seamless ride from the Puget Sound ferry terminals to the Pacific.

Completing the Puget Sound to Pacific would fill a gap in the 12-state Great American Rail-Trail that is more than 50 percent completed from Washington, D.C., to the Pacific coast town of La Push. La Push is the “Western Gateway” to the Great American Rail-Trail and the westernmost location on the Olympic Discovery Trail.

The big vision is to eventually link these western Washington bike routes to the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail that travels from just outside of Seattle to the Idaho border, enabling people to travel by bike from the Pacific to Seattle, onward to Idaho, and beyond.

Winning the RAISE grant is a huge milestone for the Puget Sound to Pacific Collaborative. The City of Port Angeles was the lead applicant, and co-applicants include the Quileute and Suquamish Tribes; Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap counties; the cities of Forks, Sequim, Port Townsend, Poulsbo, and Bainbridge Island; the Port of Port Townsend, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The Puget Sound to Pacific Trail will be “a huge resource and asset for our region that connects six cities and six tribes” says Steve Durrant, project director for the initiative. “Best of all it’s halfway done thanks to more than 35 years of work by trail advocates and government agencies.”

Inslee and Durrant share a laugh during a rest stop on the ride.

Drafting the Governor

Durrant was among the group of trail advocates who joined Inslee for the ride on the Olympic Discovery Trail. Inslee joked and chatted with other riders throughout the two hour ride. The scenery was spectacular: ocean views, fir forests, farmlands.

Photo: Jesse Major/Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

At 73 years old, Inslee remains fit due to his passion for riding bikes. He wore a green bike jersey with the Washington state seal and rode a large Specialized Allez.

At the conclusion of our ride, Inslee quickly showered and changed into his suit to give a luncheon address and accept a national trails award in Sequim on Jamestown S’Klallam tribal lands.

The Rails to Trails Conservancy named Inslee its 2023 trails champion thanks to his efforts to devote state funding for critical trail infrastructure such as the Beverly Bridge, as well as the monumental $1.3 billion in spending for bike infrastructure and youth bicycling education in the Move Ahead Washington program.

Inslee was the first governor to support the Great American Rail-Trail, and thanks in part to his efforts, Washington state has the largest amount of existing trail among the 12 states along the Great American Rail-Trail route.

In addition to their recreational benefits, trails are “a critical element of decarbonizing our economy,” Inslee says. “We have to beat climate change, and these trails are one mechanism for beating climate change.”

Photo: Jesse Major/Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Trails are more than recreational assets, they also serve as transportation corridors that allow people to bike, walk or roll rather than drive, Clarke says. The Washington Recreation and Conservation Office calculates that trails contribute more than $8.2 billion to Washington’s economy and support more than 81,000 jobs annually.

“Trails are a catalyst for many economic, health, and sustainability goals,” Clarke says. “They are active transportation highways, and once created they lead to more community investments in on-street biking and walking networks. The goal is to enable people to ride a bike to the doctor’s office, to school or the grocery store, or to travel to the next town, or across the state and beyond, by bike.”

Progress on the Olympic Discovery Trail

Even without the RAISE grant funding, some big new segments of the Olympic Discovery Trail will be completed in the next two years, according to Jeff Bohman, president of the Peninsula Trails Coalition.

One new trail segment that has funding will connect the Larry Scott Trail and Four Corners near Port Townsend to and through Anderson Lake State Park. This trail segment should be completed within two years, Bohman says.

On the westernmost segment of the Olympic Discovery Trail, Clallam County and Olympic National Park are working to complete an 11-mile segment from Forks to La Push. A big segment of this trail will be completed in two years as well, Bohman says.

Meantime, the Jamestown S'klallam Tribe is on the verge of completing several short segments on tribal lands along the Olympic Discovery Trail.

Cascade Bicycle Club is excited to see this progress and will continue to collaborate with national, state, and local agencies to complete the Puget Sound to Pacific route. “When finished, this route will be one of the most beautiful and exciting long distance bike trails in the world,” Clarke says. “A big thank you to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy for bringing all of these stakeholders together to unite behind a vision for a world-class trail that will benefit our region in so many ways.”

Check out more photos from Inslee's ride on the Olympic Discovery Trail below.

Riding Across WA on the Palouse to Cascades Trail

Admin Example — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 19:10:41 +0000

Riding Across WA on the Palouse to Cascades Trail Admin Example Tue, 01/03/2023 - 11:10

Publication/Release Date

Tue, 01/03/2023 - 03:10

News Category

Road and Trail News

Interests

Gravel Ride

Author

Paul Tolmé

Read time

10 min read

Content Blocks

Cascade staffer Amy Korver rode the entire length of the Palouse to Cacades State Park Trail last fall.
Her trip report is a great resource for anyone considering this scenic bikepacking trip across Washington state.

Spanning more than 250 miles from the Idaho border to the foot of the Cascade Range near Seattle, the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail is one of Washington state’s greatest recreational bicycling assets--and one of the nation’s most epic rail trails.

In early 2022 we wrote about the opening of the Beverly Bridge over the Columbia River, a milestone achievement that linked the eastern and western halves of the Palouse to Cascades trail.

Amy Korver was among the many people who were excited by the bridge’s opening and inspired to hit the trail. From Sept. 24 to Oct. 3, Cascade Bicycle Club’s community education manager rode the entire length of the Palouse to Cascades, covering 261 miles over seven days.

Upon reaching the end of the trail at the Idaho border, Korver traveled onward to Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, and then pedaled back to Spokane, Wash., tacking on 73 more miles over two days before taking a bus back to Seattle. In all she rode 333 miles.

Korver wrote detailed daily reports for each segment of the trail, its detours, and surface conditions. She also noted where she camped, booked room nights, and found food and water.

With its gear tips, scenic descriptions, and strategies, Korver’s trip report is a great resource for anyone considering a through-ride of the Palouse to Cascades. We have condensed her report here, but you can access all her comments on the Friends of the Palouse to Cascades Facebook page.

Her favorite aspects of the journey include “the quiet,” with “nothing but the sounds of the occasional birds and the gravel under your tires.” She also enjoyed seeing the landscape change from west to east, and reported that she felt “very strong and very resilient after the trip.”

Korver’s most important gear tip: use wide tires, two-plus inches, to avoid sinking into soft gravel.

Gear and Bike:

Surly Bridge Club bikepacking bike with 35mm tires, ∓30 lbs
Total weight of bike and gear: 90 pounds
Secondhand Ortlieb panniers and used racks from Recycled Cycles

Day 1: Olallie State Park to Lake Easton State Park

33 miles, mostly uphill
Trail conditions: firm packed dirt and compacted gravel
Camped at Lake Easton State Park

Highlights: Riding over high trestles, views of the forested mountains, pedaling through the Snoqualmie Tunnel.

Lowlights: Pedaling through the Snoqualmie Tunnel! It’s dark, damp, and cold. Losing two crank bolts that she forgot to tighten when working on her bike before departing. Figuring out the packing set-up.

“I started the day at Olallie State Park, but if you have time, start at Rattlesnake Lake or in North Bend. The trail between North Bend and Rattlesnake Lake is beautiful even though it’s not technically part of the Palouse to Cascades trail.”

“The trail was busy with weekend riders and hikers but despite the steady uphill climb to the Snoqualmie Tunnel I was able to move quickly due to firm conditions. There was lots of shade, several toilets, and many spots to picnic. I stayed at Lake Easton State Park at one of two hiker/biker sites. Four dudes shared the site next to me, all on their first bikepacking overnight. It was lovely chatting with them.”

Day 2: Lake Easton State Park to Ellensburg

43.9 miles
Packed gravel with a few loose sections
Camped in backyard of a WarmShowers host
Thorp Fruit Stand

Highlights: Riding through small tunnels, beautiful fall colors, spotting wild turkeys, deer, two horseback riders, and hawks.

Lowlights: Sections of soft gravel that made her wish for wider tires.

The views expand as the trail descends from Lake Easton toward Cle Elum. “I had to make a detour to Roslyn to get replacement crank bolts for the two that fell out. Ride Roslyn Bikes is a great shop and Roslyn is a neat little town.”

After Cle Elum the trail surface got looser. “I could barely ride. I considered detouring for a few miles. Lower Peoh Point Road from Cle Elum to the intersection of Watson Cutoff Road might be a good choice.”

This trail segment has many small tunnels. “None are long but an easily accessible light would be a good idea.” Korver stayed overnight in Ellensburg “with a delightful Warmshowers host and ate dinner in town.”

Warmshowers.org is a nonprofit community of bike travelers who offer free overnight accommodations to one another, ranging from yard space for a tent to spare bedrooms and couches.

Day 3: Ellensburg to Wanapum State Park Campground near Vantage

34.3 miles
Detoured onto the paved road to avoid sections of sandy trail
Wanapum State Park Campground

Highlights: “This was my first glimpse of how dry and desolate central Washington can get, and it felt like a whole different world.”

Lowlights: Slow going at times, developed two small gashes on the side walls of her tires that she patched with a candy bar wrapper and duct tape. Minimal water access.

“This was a short day and I was glad for it. I detoured after Kittitas and took Parke Creek Road from Hemingston Road to Prater Road. After the Renslow Trestle the terrain becomes sandy and difficult to ride. If you don't want to struggle, I'd recommend taking Stevens Road, which appeared to have little traffic. The detour around the Boylston Tunnel is rocky, sharp, and winding.”

Korver advises packing extra water because there is no water source between Kittitas and a public potable water station northeast of Doris on Google Maps at 46°52'13.9"N 120°00'15.0"W.

“Reached Wanapum State Park Campground via Huntzinger Road, which had light traffic. The campground was expensive but also well-kept and green.”

Day 4: Wanapum State Park Campground to Othello

50.9 miles
Lots of gravel road riding and some highway segments
Othello Inn and Suites

Highlights: Fruit orchards, the sparse landscape, the Beverly Bridge. Saw a snake on the trail, and later a hawk flying with a snake.

Lowlights: No water access. Hot and exposed. Some steep climbs and highway detours. Got chased by small dogs. Broke a spoke.

“This was the hardest day of riding.” Pedaling over the Beverly Bridge and seeing the views of the Columbia River was a highlight. “I biked through Beverly to stop at the 76 gas station and mini-mart and was chased by at least four small dogs.”

Korver detoured to Lower Crab Creek Road to avoid a sandy section, and she saw only three vehicles in five hours on the gravel road. She recommends avoiding State Route 26 due to fast traffic.

The temperature hit 88 degrees Fahrenheit and “I was wilting. I couldn’t imagine doing this in hotter weather. There was no shade and no drinking water sources between Beverly and Othello.”

Korver planned to stay at the Adams County Fairground, “but I mistakenly arrived at the wrong section of the campground where there were no other people so I instead rode into town and got a room at Othello Inn and Suites. Sheets and refrigeration never felt like such a luxury.”

Day 5: Othello to Ralston

54.1 miles
Ralston City Park

Highlights: Views of grain silos. Met a riding companion.

Lowlights: Got a flat from a goathead thorn. Developed saddle sores.

“I sent my family a video because this section looks so much like Iowa where I grew up. Gently rolling hills covered in wheat and other crops. Traffic was light on West Lee Road and Booker Road, although the few vehicles were large trucks.”

Korver met a fellow bikepacker whom she nicknamed Dave the Bike Dad. “He was taking his time and heading the same direction. I was very glad to have a buddy. We camped in Ralston’s city park, which is well-taken care of with potable water. Ralston is tiny and camping solo could be spooky, so I was glad to have a buddy.”

Day 6: Ralston to Saint John

54.5 miles, plus two miles each way for dinner in town
Loose trail conditions in spots
Saint John Creekside Farm, LLC

Highlights: Cow Creek Crossing.

Lowlights: The day was too long, it drizzled, saddle sores.

“This was another tough day of riding. The highlight was near the start. Riders are asked to detour for about seven miles due to a small bridge being closed. But a farmer has agreed to let folks cut through his pasture at Cow Creek Crossing. It is literally through an active cattle field and you ride where the farmer’s truck has created two tracks through the vegetation.”

Korver and Dave took their second detour of the day onto Texas Lake Road “and I got discouraged. I was tired, feeling slow, and my saddle sores were uncomfortable. Dave’s Bike Dad instinct and motivation helped.”

After a long day of gray skies and drizzle, they set up camp at Creekside Farm and rode into town for dinner–returning to their tents just before it poured.

Day 7, Saint John to Tekoa

40 miles
Some paved highway riding with slow traffic
Guest room in locals’ home

Highlights: great breakfast and convenience stores in Saint John, considerate drivers, beautiful views near Rosalia, apple trees.

Lowlights: trail closed between Saint John and Rosalia.

“I was in good spirits and ready to complete the trail, but Saint John is a cute town of about 600 people so Dave and I took our time and stopped at a cafe for breakfast. The owners and customers were friendly, and one fella told us about riding Seattle to Portland in 1982, back when there were only a few hundred riders.”

“Pine City Road out of Saint John was gorgeous and the drivers gave us wide margins. Due to detours and construction, we were on the road until Rosalia when we finally got back onto the trail. Dave and I parted ways with well wishes.”

The trail got muddy as Korver approached Tekoa, and thick mud stuck to her tires and caked on her derailleur and fenders.

Many apple trees lined the trail. “They were delicious and I could smell them from my bike. Near the end of the trail, I rode over the new Tekoa Trestle and arrived in the last town on the route. Tekoa allows camping in the city park and I planned to stay there but a friendly local couple invited me to sleep in their guest room. They were wonderful.”

Korvers says that, “Tekoa is an adorable town, and residents should think about capitalizing on the increased bike traffic the town will get in future years” by creating more amenities for bike tourists.

Day 8, Tekoa to Coeur d'Alene

15.5 miles to Plummer, plus another 15 miles riding around Coeur d’ Alene for fun
Muddy

Highlights: Great Warmshowers hosts.

Lowlights: Pushing my bike through mud, wiping it off, and losing my water bottle and bottle cage in the process.

“This day ended up being quite the adventure. I rode along the last remaining segment of the Palouse to Cascades trail and then along Agency Road toward Plummer. The trail was muddy from the previous day’s rain and I often had to carry it to avoid mud as well as goat heads.”

Korver originally planned to ride all the way to Coeur d’Alene “but Dave informed me this ride would be dangerous due to traffic and strenuous due to many hills. Instead I pedaled to Plummer and caught the free bus (with bike racks) to the Coeur d’Alene Casino, and then onward to downtown Coeur d’Alene.”

In Coeur d’Alene, Korver went for a scenic ride on the North Idaho Centennial Trail that wanders for about 10 miles along the waterfront.

Day 9 Coeur d’ Alene to Spokane

40.5 miles on paved trail
Warmshowers host

Highlights: The Centennial Trail extends all the way from Coeur d’Alene to Spokane. Lovely fall colors, and the Japanese garden in Manito Park.

Lowlights: Lack of wayfinding and signage on the Centennial Trail.

“I took the Centennial trail nearly the whole way from Coeur d’Alene to Spokane. Following this paved trail was wonderful and scenic at times, confusing and stressful at other times. Signage was lacking, and on some stretches the trail runs right alongside the highway with just a line of paint between you and the motor vehicles.”

Korver ended the day with great Warmshowers hosts. The next day, she loaded her bike onto the FlixBus and headed home to Seattle.

Considerations, Gear, and Resources:

What would Amy do differently?

Wider tires, two-inches-plus, for the sandy segments.
More water storage.

What gear would she leave at home?

The Shewee female urination device and shovel. These were unnecessary due to pit toilets, public bathrooms, and the solitude of the trail.
The solar panel she packed for charging her phone. “Never used it.” She carried two backup batteries as well, but hardly used them due to the abundance of outlets at her evening accommodations.
Water filter system. In sections of the trail with no towns or facilities for getting water, there are also no streams. Bring large water bottles and carry as much water as you can handle for these segments.

What are Amy’s must-have gear items?

Lots of zip ties and duct tape for trailside repairs. Extra bungee cords.
Sandals and waterproof socks.
Bear spray. “I never used it, but I was glad to have it for peace of mind, especially when chased by angry dogs.”
Da Brim. “Bring your own shade!”

Korver’s Resources:

Washington on the Verge of a Trail Building Boom

Admin Example — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 18:18:48 +0000

Washington on the Verge of a Trail Building Boom Admin Example Fri, 08/12/2022 - 11:18

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Fri, 08/12/2022 - 04:18

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5 min read

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From the Puget Sound region to the Methow Valley and beyond, trail advocates and government agencies are working to build new trails between communities.
Check out some promising trail projects underway that will greatly improve both transportation and recreation.

Trails have many benefits, from health and wellness to carbon-free transportation and improved mobility.

They also bring in lots of money. Recreational trails contribute more than $8.2 billion to Washington state’s economy and support more than 81,000 jobs annually, according to a 2019 report from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

Here are some of the biking and walking trails being developed that will boost economic activity--and offer more opportunities for healthy recreation and transportation.

Eastrail

The Eastrail bike and multi-use trail received $29 million in state funding earlier this year to accelerate work and close gaps in the regional 42-mile route. Read our previous post about how the Move Ahead Washington funding will fast-track completion of two bridges and other projects on the Eastrail.

King County recently opened more than two miles of new gravel trail on the Eastrail between Kirkland and Woodinville. People can now ride north from the former end of the Cross Kirkland Corridor to Woodinville, where a new crossing connects to the Sammamish River Trail. Watch a video of this new segment from Best Side Cycling, or check out the map on the King County Parks Facebook page.

The new Wilburton light rail station in Bellevue is among the light rail stops that people will be able to reach via the Eastrail. In 2023, a new 500-foot-long bike and pedestrian bridge will allow people to safely cross over Northeast 8th Street, one of the busiest streets in Bellevue, to reach Wilburton station from the Eastrail. Read more here.

East Lake Sammamish Trail

Construction is underway on the final segment of King County Parks' East Lake Sammamish Trail, where King County is working to pave the last gap in this favorite Eastside trail. Construction is expected to wrap up in late 2023, according to a King County Parks press release.

Lake to Sound Trail

Scheduled to be completed in 2023, Segment C of the Lake to Sound Trail will close a 2.2-mile gap between Des Moines and Normandy Park. The Lake to Sound Trail will stretch from the southern tip of Lake Washington to Puget Sound when finished, connecting five South King County cities and two Sound Transit light rail stations.

Click here for more information on Segment C and the Lake to Sound Trail.

Leafline Trails

The Leafline Trails Coalition is working to connect about 500 miles of existing trails in the Puget Sound region into an integrated 900-mile network that would allow people to bike and walk throughout King, Pierce, Kitsap, and Snohomish counties. See an interactive map of the network here.

“The process for building and planning trails is often long and time-consuming,” says Claire Martini, Leafline project manager. “Having Governor Inslee’s support for the Leafline is great, and it will enable us to hopefully close these gaps and complete the work faster.”

Sound to Olympics Trail

The proposed Sound to Olympics Trail (STO) would be a major component of the Leafline network, and it would fill a gap in the cross-country Great American Rail-Trail. A short paved segment of the STO called the Sakai Pond Connector recently opened on Bainbridge Island.

Learn more about the STO in our post, “Big Progress Coming on the Olympic Discovery and Great American Trails.”

The North Sound to Olympics Trail would be a northern route across the Kitsap Peninsula from Kingston to the Forest Heritage Park in Port Gamble. This northern route would be in addition to a southern route from the town of Winslow on Bainbridge Island. Learn more about efforts to build the North Sound to Olympics trail here.

South King and Pierce County

The Tacoma to Puyallup Trail Connection would create a safe route between Tacoma and Puyallup for people biking and walking. Design work is underway on a proposed segment between Fife and Tacoma. “It’s very exciting and much needed,” Martini says.

in Federal Way, the city is designing a 1.25-mile trail parallel to Pacific Highway between 288th and 308th, "part of longer-term work to knit together south King County and Tacoma," Martini says. Another effort is underway in Sumner, Milton, Edgewood, and Pacific to close gaps in the Interurban Trail between south King County and north Pierce County.

Foothills Trail

Artistic rendering of the Foothills Trail bridge, courtesy of King County Parks.

Construction is about to begin on a new bike and pedestrian bridge over the White River on the Foothills Trail, a beautiful trail with farm and mountain views through Pierce County. Once completed in 2023, the bridge will close a 1.5-mile gap--shown below--and connect the Foothills Trail from Enumclaw to Puyallup for a 30-mile ride.

North Creek Regional Trail

This trail will link Bothell to North Creek County Park in Snohomish County. The North Creek Regional Trail will become part of a regional system that will connect the Sammamish River and Burke-Gillman trails with the Interurban Trail in Everett.

Willapa Hills State Park Trail

We pedaled segments of this 56-mile rail-trail underway between Chehalis and Willapa Bay last winter in our post, “From Farmlands to Oyster Beds,” calling it an “epic destination ride in southwestern Washington state.”

One of the major projects on the trail is the construction of a new bike and pedestrian overpass in the small town of Adna, where the state hopes to complete the bridge “by fall 2022 or early winter 2023,” says Michael Hankinson, a State Parks planner who is overseeing the Willapa Hills trail development.

A rider enjoying an unimproved segment of the Willapa Hills trail. Photo courtesy Jeremiah Meacham.

The state is also working to improve many of the small former railroad bridges and install compacted gravel on segments of unimproved trail in Pacific County.

Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail

At 289 miles, this is the longest rail-trail in the nation and a key portion of Great American Rail-Trail. More work is underway to complete unfinished segments, including multiple bridge projects.

In April, the state finished work on the Tekoa Trestle in the town of Tekoa near the Idaho border.

“The Tekoa Trestle has been an icon of the town since its construction in 1909 by the Milwaukee Railroad Co.,” writes the Spokesman Review newspaper. “Now, after years of advocacy from locals and trail riders alike, the 975-foot bridge is open to the public, and the little town of Tekoa hopes it becomes an economic driver for the rural community.”

State Parks has also secured funding to rebuild the Crab Creek bridges located about nine miles east of the newly opened Beverly Bridge over the Columbia River, according to State Parks trail planner Randy Kline. Restoring the bridge will have a beneficial economic impact on small towns nearby that rely on bike tourism, according to the Columbia Basin Herald.

Washington Bikes was instrumental in securing funding to rebuild the Beverly Bridge, which State Policy Director Alex Alston calls “one of the most exciting new pieces of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in the country.”

TWiN Trail

The Methow Valley is renowned for its recreational trails, but a proposed trail between the towns of Twisp and Winthrop would function as a safe transportation corridor for schoolchildren and others to safely bike or walk between the two communities. Learn more about the TWiN Trail from Methow Trails.

Share Your Ride, Share the Road

These are just a few of the trail projects are eagerly watching. Are there trail projects that you are excited to ride in your community? Share them with us social media.

Want to support our efforts to advocate for more safe places to ride across the state? Buy a Share the Road license plate, which generates $28 per plate for Cascade’s advocacy team.

Road and Trail News

10 Fall Trail Rides for Fabulous WA Foliage

East Lake Sammamish Trail

Locks to Lakes Corridor

Snohomish Centennial Trail

Whitehorse Regional Trail

Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail

Klickitat State Park Trail

Willapa Hills State Park Trail

Foothills Trail

Snoqualmie Valley Trail

Olympic Discovery Trail: Port Angeles to Sequim Bay

Kitsap Color Classic

The Emotional Journey of Riding Solo (Mostly) Across WA

Day 1: La Push to Forks, 16 miles

Day 2: Forks to Littleton Horse Camp, 26 miles

Day 3: Littleton Horse Camp to Sequim State Park, 72 miles

Day 4: A Detour Home to Dry Out

Day 5: Rest Day

Day 6: Seattle to Lake Easton State Park, 78 miles

Day 7: Lake Easton State Park to a hotel in Ellensburg, 40 miles

Day 8: Ellensburg to Wanapum State Park, 36 miles

Day 9: Wanapum State Park to Othello Hotel, 40 miles

Day 10: Othello to Potholes State Park, 25 miles

Day 11, Potholes State Park to hotel in Ritzville, 45 miles

Day 12: Ritzville to Rosalia, 60 miles

Things Shannon Wishes She’d Packed:

Things Shannon’s Glad She Packed:

Bike Gear Setup

Sleep System:

Hydration:

Clothing:

Biking Tacoma’s Trail Network & Closing Shoreline’s Interurban Gap

Tacoma Prairie Line Ride

Closing the Interurban Trail Gap

Learn about Leafline

Bridging Bellevue’s I-90 Gap on the 42-Mile Eastrail

Riding the Eastrail

Northeast 8th Avenue Bridge

Climate Commitment Act Repeal Risk

Let’s Complete the Eastrail

Eastrail Facts:

Touring Tacoma on the Water Flume Line Trail

Come Ride the Eastside’s Most Beautiful Trail

The East Lake Sammamish Trail is now complete following 26 years of work by King County and organizations, including Cascade Bicycle Club.

We attended the grand opening celebration for the 11-mile trail, which completes the 44-mile Locks to Lakes Corridor from Seattle to Issaquah.

A Trail for the People

Trail Connections

A Locks to Lakes Corridor Overnighter

A Win for Biking on the Seattle Waterfront

Seattle commits to building a continuous two-way bike lane along the city's waterfront

Cascade's advocacy helped lead to this policy win for safer bicycling on one of the city's most popular bike corridors

Continuous bike path shown above. Below is the detour for when cruise ships are loading or unloading. Images from SDOT.

One of Cascade’s Top Five Seattle Priorities

Seattle to the Pacific: A Dream Bike Route Gains Momentum

National and regional trail advocates are collaborating on plans to create a trail that would link the Puget Sound to the Pacific Ocean via the Sound to Olympics Trail and Olympic Discovery Trail.

The Puget Sound to Pacific Collaborative has won a $16 million federal grant to fast track planning for this segment of the 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail.

Photo: Jesse Major/Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Federal Funding for Trail Planning

Inslee and Durrant share a laugh during a rest stop on the ride.

Drafting the Governor

Photo: Jesse Major/Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Photo: Jesse Major/Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Progress on the Olympic Discovery Trail

Riding Across WA on the Palouse to Cascades Trail

Cascade staffer Amy Korver rode the entire length of the Palouse to Cacades State Park Trail last fall.

Her trip report is a great resource for anyone considering this scenic bikepacking trip across Washington state.

Gear and Bike:

Day 1: Olallie State Park to Lake Easton State Park

Day 2: Lake Easton State Park to Ellensburg

Day 3: Ellensburg to Wanapum State Park Campground near Vantage

Day 4: Wanapum State Park Campground to Othello

Day 5: Othello to Ralston

Day 6: Ralston to Saint John

Day 7, Saint John to Tekoa

Day 8, Tekoa to Coeur d'Alene

Day 9 Coeur d’ Alene to Spokane

Considerations, Gear, and Resources:

Korver’s Resources:

Read More Cascade News about Washington’s Long-Distance Trails: