The state parks department has reopened the westernmost trailhead on the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. The Cedar Falls Trailhead, located in the vicinity of Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend, had been closed since March to promote social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.
The reopening means bicycle riders can park at Cedar Falls for the 18-mile ride up to the 2.2-mile-long Snoqualmie Tunnel at Hyak. Also shuttle riders can park at Hyak and Cedar Falls for a one-way trip downhill on their bicycles.
In the map, the Cedar Falls Trailhead is at left, and the Homestead Valley Trailhead is at the right. Follow the gravel trail/road to the Palouse to Cascades trail. (Zoom out to find Snoqualmie Pass and Hyak.
Because of the popularity of the Cedar Falls trailhead, and the reduced parking made available by the Seattle Public Utilities for recreation at Rattlesnake Lake, state officials expect Cedar Falls to fill up on weekends.
If arriving after 9 a.m. on weekends, the state recommends considering the Homestead Valley Trailhead, which connects to the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail about 5 miles up the trail from Cedar Falls.
The Cedar Falls Trailhead can be reached by taking Exit 32 from I-90; the Homestead Valley Trailhead is accessed via Exit 38 from I-90.
The trail (formerly known as the John Wayne Pioneer Trail and the Iron Horse State Park Trail) runs from North Bend to the Idaho border, and is considered a “cross-state” trail. Sections of the 285-mile corridor are closed due to missing bridges, landslides and flooding. Check for updates at the state park’s Covid-19 website for the latest information.
Also check out the Palouse to Cascades Trail Coalition for information about trail conditions and construction along the trail.
Recent Comments