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Go from Rattlesnake Lake all the way to the Columbia River on this dirt and gravel trail. Though this trail goes over Snoqualmie Pass (~3000 feet) it has a very gentle grade -- in the 19 miles to the pass you'll go up only 1100 feet. From the 2.3 mile tunnel [closed until further notice] at the Pass (bring a light, open May 1 - Oct. 31) to Easton it goes down only 400 feet in 14 miles. During winter there is cross country skiing and snowmobiling in the highest elevations of the trail. Sections east of Easton are said to be less condusive to biking. One segment in the east may require advance planning since it traverses an area that may be closed off at times.
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An old railroad trestle is now a trail bridge about 10 miles east of Rattlesnake Lake.
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Location: King County
City(s): North Bend, Snoqualmie Pass, Easton, Thorpe, WA
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Length: 110 miles.
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Popularity: Somewhat
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Elevation: Approx.
Gain
1100
Loss
1000 |
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Facilities |
Trail Condition |
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Drinking Water:
No
Restrooms:
Yes
Benches:
Yes
Picnic Tables:
No
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Surface Type:
Unpaved
Surface Quality:
5
Scenery:
9
Lighting:
0
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Ratings: 0 = none/ the worst
5 = average
10 = excellent
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Website: http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Iron%20Horse
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Maps:
Cle Elum/Coal Mines Trail area
Greenway Overview map
King County Bike Map
North Bend to trail map
Rattlesnake Lake to Pass Map
Rattlesnake Mountain trail map
Snoqualmie Valley Trail Map
Train depot renovation article
Tunnel to Hansen Creek Topo
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Connections:
1. Connects to the Snoqualmie Valley Trail near Rattlesnake Lake
2. The eastern end (at the Columbia River) is near the Milwaukee Road Corridor Trail (another 143 miles to the Idaho border.) To get to this other section of trail, one must cross the Interstate 90 bridge - a harrowing feat!
3. Connects to the Annette Lake Trail about 2 miles west of the tunnel. Bikes allowed on this trail only north of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail.
4. Connects to the McClellan Butte Trail. Bikes allowed on this trail only north of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail.
5. Connects to the Columbia Plateau Trail.
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Expansions:
1. Members of the Greenway Trust coalition are working to connect the Coal Mines Trail to the John Wayne Pioneer Trail.
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Directions: Western trailhead: Exit 32 off of I-90, and head south on 436th Avenue SE (Cedar Falls Road). Follow this directly into the parking area for Rattlesnake Lake, which is also the trailhead for the John Wayne/Iron Horse Trail. The trailhead is at the north end of the lake on the left (east) side of the entrance road. Parking is free.
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Photo Gallery
The trail is mostly dirt and gravel.
This snowshed was once used to protect trains coming through the pass.
The tunnel at Snoqualmie Summit is 2.1 miles long and very dark, so bring lights!
A primitive campsite, complete with pit toilet, awaits the adventurous biker.
About the most significant hazard on the trail are a couple areas that could have rockslides.
The surface condition is good enough for hybrid bikes, though it degrades somewhat past Easton.
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