My TrailLink

Judy Wagonfeld

About Me

Author of Short Bike Rides in Western Washington: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd editions
published by Globe Pequot Press

• 

  Green River Trail

  

  State: WA
  Length: 20.5 miles
  Surface: Asphalt

  The Green River Trail currently stretches 20 miles through the industrial heart of the valley from the southern suburbs of Seattle to Kent, connecting to a number of neighborhoods and community trails. When complete, the trail will span 30 miles by continuing north to Seattle's Alki Point and south to King County's Auburn Narrows Park.
  Along the way, you can access other trails such as the Duwamish Bikeway and King County Interurban Trail.
  

• 

  Centennial Trail (WA)

  Rail-Trail

  

  State: WA
  Length: 30.2 miles
  Surface: Asphalt

  Washington's Centennial Trail currently runs for 30 miles from Snohomish to the Skagit County line, linking neighborhoods with businesses and shopping districts. The trail provides a pleasant route for commuters and recreationists alike. The popular Centennial Trail is open to cyclists, pedestrians, joggers and equestrians (adjacent natural surface trail) and is accessible for all levels of physical ability.
  At the Machias trailhead you'll find a replica of the old railroad depot that was built here in the late 1890s to serve the Seattle, Lake Shore, and Eastern Railroad. The railroad branch between Snohomish and Arlington was bought by Northern Pacific then Burlington Northern, which stopped operating by 1987. The railroad once transported timber, ore, mail and people.
  

• 

  Everett-Seattle Interurban

  Rail-Trail

  

  State: WA
  Length: 30 miles
  Surface: Asphalt, Gravel

  The Everett–Seattle Interurban Trail runs for 30 miles between Everett, Washington, on the north (Broadway at 41st Street) and the Seattle suburb of Greenwood on the south (N. 110th Street). The route follows the old right-of-way used by the Interurban Trolley, which served Ballard and Bellingham in the early 20th century. Most of the trail is off-road but there are a few designated bike routes on-road; signs will guide you.
  As the name implies, the trail is a popular connector through an urban landscape north of busy Seattle. It's a great link between businesses and neighborhoods, and even accommodates horseback riders on the segments in Lynnwood and Everett, despite the asphalt surface.
  

• 

  Iron Horse State Park

  Rail-Trail

  

  State: WA
  Length: 82 miles
  Surface: Ballast, Gravel

  UPDATE: Tunnels 46-49 are currently closed, though 48 and 49 are anticipated to be reopened in spring/summer 2013. See the Washington State Parks site for detour instructions.

  The Iron Horse State Park trail was constructed from the western section of the Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad bed and is part of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. The 66.5 miles of trail managed by Lake Easton Area extends from Twin Falls near North Bend above the Snoqualmie River valley, through Snoqualmie Pass and east along the Yakima River valley through riparian woodlands, dry coniferous forest, broadleaf forest and open agricultural lands to Thorp. Here it connects with the Kittitas section of Iron Horse. The trail elevation descends from 3,100' to 1,500' at a 2% grade or less.
  There are 30 substantial trestles, 4 tunnels (one of which is 2.3 miles long), 2 snow sheds and 3 developed trailheads located at South Cle Elum, Easton, and at a US Forest Service area at Hyak.
  A shuttle bus service for hikers and bicyclists operates summer weekends and holidays between Cedar Falls and Hyak on the Western Slope of the Cascades.
  The Iron Horse State Park was featured as a 'Trail of the Month' by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
  

• 

  Tolt Pipeline Trail

  

  State: WA
  Length: 12 miles
  Surface: Dirt, Gravel, Sand

  The Tolt Pipeline serves as a major connection between Duvall, WA and the Sammamish River. This trail follows a water pipeline right-of-way and is not recommended for all trail go-ers. The majority of traffic on this trail consists of mountain bikers and horseback riders. Due to the many steep grades along the trail, as well as the gravel/dirt surface, bicyclists must be aware of the limitations of their equipment. Conveniently, the Tolt Pipeline Trail's western terminus in Blyth Park intersects with both the Sammamish River Trail and the Burke-Gilman Trail. It moves eastward on an ungraded surface - making the many hill climbs exhausting. Additionally, the wide cut of the pipeline's right of way ( up to 100 ft) provides little escape from the sun. At West Snoqualmie Valley Road NE, riders can continue via street access to Duvall's portion of the Tolt Pipeline Trail at nearby Duvall Park.

• 

  Preston-Snoqualmie Trail

  Rail-Trail

  

  State: WA
  Length: 6.5 miles
  Surface: Asphalt

  This trail rewards users with an interesting view of Snoqualmie Falls after experiencing several miles of western Washington forests. A short series of switchbacks near the mid-point can be a challenge to some users.