Chehalis Western Trail:
Washington
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Description:
The Thurston County Parks and Recreation Department acquired 15.5-miles of the Chehalis Western Railroad corridor from Weyerhaeuser Timber Company in 1989 and 1996. The County recently took over the northern 5 miles from Lacey to Woodward Bay and is currently building three bridges over I5, Martin Way, and Pacific to connect the segments together. To navigate this stretch, use the existing at-grade crossing of Pacific Avenue, approximately 100 yards east of where the trail touches the road. After you cross Pacific, continue east another one block until Sleater-Kinney Road. Turn right, or south, and go 100 yards to 12th Avenue. Take a right on 12th and follow until the end (approximately 300 yards). You'll find an "on-ramp" at the end of the road that leads you back to the main trail.

The line operated from 1926 through the mid-1980's and was used to haul timber from the Bald Hills to Puget Sound mills. The trail runs north-south through the heart of Thurston County and features access to the Puget Sound, Chambers Lake, the Deschutes River, wetlands, forests, prairies and other habitats and scenic views of Mt. Rainier. It also features a scenic overlook at Chambers Lake and an award-winning pedestrian overpass at Yelm Highway. Trailheads are located approximately every two miles on the Thurston County Parks-owned section. The 21.5-mile trail links with the 14.5 mile Yelm-Tenino Trail.
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Parking & Trail Access:
Directions to the Chamber Lake Trailhead:
From I-5 northbound, take Exit #108 to Sleater Kinney Road. Head south, cross Pacific Avenue, at the 4-way stop sign, turn right onto 14th Avenue. Follow approximately 1/2 mile. The entrance is after the trestle on the left.

Directions to the 67th Avenue Trailhead:
Take Exit #109 southbound (College Street) or #108 northbound (College Street) and travel south. Cross Pacific Avenue and Yelm Highway. College Street becomes Rainier Road. Follow approximately one (1) mile. Turn right onto 67th Avenue and follow to the end. No restroom facility.
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Seasonal Restrictions:
None
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Reviews: [2 trail ratings]
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My personal opinion
By sunrize24 in September, 2011
I live right next to the chehalis western trail and walk or bike it atleast three times a week. It is a nice trail but needs wayyyyy more bathrooms!! My young children need somewhere they can go to the bathroom when we are on our walks or bike rides. And it would also be very nice if there was more access to rivers, lakes, or streams. The Fir Tree access is wonderful! But as far as the Lacey accesses, they are not so great.
MUST READ BEFORE GOING ON TRAIL. IMPORTANT
By adamg4life in June, 2010
my girlfriend and I just completed this bike trail and we loved it. There are only 2 things we didn't like about it. The first problem we had was finding where the path continued once we got in the city, near Pet smart.
The trick is to cross the road and go towards a fence in the back, there is a small opening to keep going.
An interesting thing as well is, we seen a sign that says "trail ends" which is not true. This sign was right before you cross the road, have no idea why its there.

The second thing we didn't like was it was not in a loop. which is not to big of an issue just have to be ready to go 20 miles back the other way.

BE AWARE that some jerk broke some glass on trail, it can cause a flat. I was riding with a spare but some people don't have the tools to replace on the spot.

Awesome trail we plan on doing it again very soon.
if you got any questions about the trail just email me id be happy to help

adamg4life@comcast.net

Adam
"great trail, great time to ride it"
By Bill Burgess in September, 2006
I live here and use the trail often. Fall is a great time because of the many fruit trees along the way.
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