We were looking forward to trying out the ERC today since we were short on time but wanted to get in a ride. We arrived at Newcastle to find that the trail is closed for paving for the 2 miles bet Newcastle and Seahawks training facility. Riders are using on-road detour but hills were prohibitive for my new rider and we prefer trails to shared roads for kiddo’s safety. Decided to head to Cedar River Trail instead (which also had a detour but a shorter one on sidewalk)

This trail begins with a few confusing blocks through an industrial part of city, but then becomes its own path through a largely shady stretch that is very pleasant. On the river, you can connect with the river walk. For a mile of so of s broad boardwalk, there are nice river views, parks, playgrounds, art, casual restaurants. The trail becomes rough gravel after passing warehouses.

Walked the section between 356th st and Tokul Trestle with the dog. The 2.4 mile walk to the trestle is easy and flat, mostly shaded, and has a couple of open spots with valley views. Around 1.7 miles in you can hear range noise from the Snoqualmie Gun Club. The Tokul Trestle is amazing and high above the river below, and we passed about half a dozen bikers, runners and hikers.

Rode 30 miles roundtrip on this trail last week of August in gorgeous weather - cool, sunny & dry. This section fo trail is not in Olympic National Park. Traverses a variety of landscapes - city, ocean front, forest & farmland. There are many sections that are not on the original rail grade so there are some climbs and descents along with a few river crossings on original trestles. On my return, I got caught in the dark. Fortunately, I had a light!!! All in all a good ride!

I rode a small section of this trail in late August, from the Sol Duc trailhead east to Ovington with a short diversion to Lake Crescent, about 10 miles roundtrip. The trail was closed for improvements at points further east. I was extremely impressed by the lush trail and beautiful lake. The portion of the trail I rode on was terrific and fairly level. At Ovington, one can easily access Lake Crscent which is pristinely gorgeous. I also visted the unique bridge spanning the Elwha River. Due to time constraints, I only drove the bridge which is a double decker with autos on top and the trail bridge suspended below. The Spruce is set to re-open in the next month and look forward to opportunity to ride more it!

I really enjoy this trail. I only run from Lynnwood to green lake. I guess it’ll be closing until the light rail construction is finished. Great run

Amazing, peaceful and lovely flat trail with lots of shade.

Whitehorse Trail is essentially open now, but access from the popular Centennial Trail to the rail bridge west of Trafton Trailhead remains closed due to unstable soil. This isolates an otherwise hidden gem of a trail. This means that you can have 23 miles of scenic, gentle rail trail all to yourself, with the possible exception of a few fellow travelers “in the know” and local swimmers and fishers. The trail runs parallel to Oso Slide Memorial Hwy (State Rte 530) and the north fork of the Stillaguamish River. The repurposed former BNSF rail route, disused after 1990, offers solitude just off the highway, lush forest vegetation and an inviting river, a refuge from dappled sun and light rain. There are openings to spectacular views of the river and encircling mountains, abandoned mills, rustic farms and homesteads, and sometimes flashes of wildlife, and beach life. There are several planked or concrete bridges, long straightaways and shallow curves, and two, busy, no-signal highway crossings, but otherwise few notable road crossings. The trail is wide and smooth, freshly resurfaced with fine, coarse gravel suitable for road bikes in the western- and mid-sections. It’s even paved in two places, near lively Twin Bridges and serene Cicero Pond, and fronting the somber Oso Landslide Memorial site. East of the Swede Heaven Rd crossing toward Darrington, the trail narrows and is swallowed up by thick forest and dense bogs. It gets much bumpier or more muddy in season, suitable for mountain bikes. There is an easily passable (though not officially) slide area east of the rodeo and bluegrass music arenas. Nearby is a mountain bike “skills area”. Parking is offered in the mid-section of the trail north of the highway at a paved lot on Fortson Mill Rd, a dirt lot immediately off C-Post Rd, and an extensive pullout at Hazel Hole. Trailheads at Trafton (Kroeze Rd/115th, at Cloverdale Farm) on the west end and Darrington (Price St, past the IGA) to the east offer space for about a half-dozen vehicles each. There are many unnamed pullouts along the highway. Per Snohomish County rules, the multi-use trail is open to bicyclists including class 2 ebikes, hikers and horses only (no motorized vehicles). Hours are 7 am to dusk, pets must be on-leash, no fires, dumping or alcohol, and the trail doesn’t offer latrines, water, or other services at this time

Started at the Seattle end of the trail. The run is a combination of slight uphills and downhills, but completely manageable. Running though the bridge and the tunnel is fun. Ended up at Factoría, and caught a Lyft back to the starting point where I parked. A total of 8 miles was the run.