By
HandbalMan
in
6/11/2008 12:41:41 AM
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Holy cow, this trail has got to be one of the bumpiest trails I've ever ridden on for one that claims to be asphalted. The entire trail is not as bad, but most of it is, unfortunately. My wife & I started at SE 182nd Avenue & biked west on a beautiful June day all the way to the amusement park (& onward). Around Gresham the scenery is very nice as one passes through rather bucolic settings. There's a bridge that has been condemned where you will need to veer onto local streets in Gresham, but the ride is fine. The absolute best part is the section that has brand new pavement as one approaches a cable bridge.
Be warned: SE Umatilla Street is currently undergoing construction. There are signs that tell you this.
I would ride this trail again, but not east of SE 122nd Avenue.
By
HandbalMan
in
9/22/2006 12:00:00 AM
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"This is one of my favorite trails in the Seattle area. My wife & I have ridden numerous times between Tracey Owen Park & Redmond, a distance of about 12 miles, I think. The trail is 99% flat & there are usually many people jogging, skating or walking along the trail, especially when it's sunny outside. On occasion I see a cyclist speeding way too fast & it can get crowded in the summertime. The previous post mentioned looking out for ducks on the trail. I've come close to hitting geese & on my last ride, a chicken was crossing the road (this is not a cheap attempt at a bad joke). This trail is definitely worth taking the family on. There's a nice play area near the Woodinville restroom facilities.
I use the Sammamish to get to the Tolt Pipeline Trail, a great ride for mountain bikes only. There is a sign barely visible from the Sammamish River Trail telling you that you are approaching the Tolt. I found it accidentally one day & unfortunately do not recall where the turnoff is located.
Incidentally, the Sammamish River trail is an extension of the Burke-Gilman Trail."
By
HandbalMan
in
2/22/2006 12:00:00 AM
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"I rode (what I think is) the entire route between N 145th Street (the southern trailhead in Shoreline) & Alderwood Mall Parkway (a total distance of about 12 miles) this past weekend. The trail is still being built, with construction of a trail bridge over Aurora Avenue at N 155th Street currently going on, but the portions which are ready are smooth & easy. As of 02/2006, there are three portions that are complete:
(1) N 145th Street to N 155th Street
(2) N 158th Street (or close to it) to N 175th Street
(3) N 192nd Street to the Aurora Village Transit Center
In between you’ll need to ride on local streets which fortunately have decent bike lanes or shoulders (except Ashworth Avenue). My advice is that you look at the map provided at the trailhead for clear images of where you need to turn, although in Shoreline there are a decent number of signs which tell you this. The most scenic portion is traveling along the eastern edge of Echo Lake (portion #3).
After the transit center, you’ll need to rely on local streets all the way to 228th Street in Edmonds & will then need to make a right if you’re coming from the south to rejoin the trail. There are no signs in Edmonds telling you where to turn off 76th Avenue (Mountlake Terrace does a way better job of this). There is a slightly steep hill around the Shoreline/Edmonds city line. Once you do find the paved portions (near 228th Street & 73rd Place), it’s a mostly flat ride to Alderwood Mall (although the trail is not continuous; don’t worry, you won’t get lost in Mountlake Terrace). The northern portion isn’t very scenic, but it is fast & I take this route to go from Greenwood to Alderwood. You can easily see Mt. Rainier on the section over 196th Street (right next to I-5) on a clear day as I did.
If you don’t mind discontinuity, this trail is decent.
"
By
HandbalMan
in
9/30/2005 12:00:00 AM
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"Last weekend I finally decided to venture out to the western portion of this trail. By far, this is one of the coolest treks that I have taken. The 40+ mile round trip from North Bend across the Cascade Mountains and through the Snoqualmie Tunnel is phenomenal. For the most part, the trail was in very good shape, save a couple of trestles which had too much ballast on them. Restrooms are plentiful along the route, but not water fountains. The western origin, Rattlesnake Lake, merits a hike in & of itself to its butte.
About the tunnel: I've read reviews of folks walking or cycling through the darkness with no lights. While not recommended personally, it does make it much more sensational (but I had both of my lights turned on for the entire length). I had a couple of close run-ins with folks who were walking in big groups. I would recommend gloves; you do feel chilly, especially if you're starting at the tunnel. Water did fall on me, but nothing of significance.
So my vote: I can't wait to do this portion again. The scenery is incredible."
Duwamish Bikeway
"Yeah, where Is the rest of it?"
By
HandbalMan
in
2/18/2005 12:00:00 AM
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"I have to agree with the previous reviewr. The trail feels rather nice on a bike, but the scenery leaves much to be desired (if you can call it scenery). I had a hard time accessing it the first time and wouldn't recommend taking the family on it."
By
HandbalMan
in
2/18/2005 12:00:00 AM
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"It's so nice to be able to see some cranes and ducks, which appear to be following you as you travel on this very nice trail. With numerous spots where one can sit on benches along the way, I definitely recommend this for a family of four. Watch out for the various (unannounced) duck crossings -- I've almost run into a couple."