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John Wayne Pioneer Trail: Hyak to Rattlesnake Lake

Easy/Intermediate
 4.3 (9)
  1. Areas
  2. WA
  3. …North Cascades
  4. Snoqualmie Pass
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“A rail-to-trail conversion that features a two-mile tunnel, four tall railroad trestles, and scenic views of the valley. ”

Rick Oakley
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Map Key

22.2

Miles

35.7

KM
Doubletrack

3,875' 1,181 m

High

976' 298 m

Low

1,460' 445 m

Up

3,056' 931 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

45%

Max Grade (24°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Family Friendly Start at Hyak and its all downhill! Riding through the tunnel is a unique experience that the kids will love.

  • Bring a charged bike light and some extra layers. You'll need it for the very long, dark, and cold tunnel.
  • Before you start riding, make sure to leave a retrieval car at the end of the trail. Unless you want to pedal all the way back.
  • The Snoqualmie Tunnel is normally closed from October to April, but the closure may be extended so check w/ the park.Snow and ice are common on the trail in the winter, and the trail passes through avalanche chutes east of Bandera.

Need to Know

There are a few pit-toilets along the which can be a welcome site for a long family ride.

Description

Also known as the Iron Horse Trail, this gentle descending trail is an easy ride for adults and kids and is popular with families as a point-to-point ride that starts at Hyak and ends at Cedar Falls for an enjoyable 22-mile downhill ride. Can be done with bike trailers (e.g., for kids), with hybrid bikes or cyclocross. The trail features many scenic viewpoints of the upper Snoqualmie Valley. Note that the steep climb shown in the elevation profile doesn't account for the tunnel through the mountain.

Bike camping is also possible, with bike-in campsites located at Alice Creek and Carter Creek. Bring $12 cash to complete the on-site self-issue.

Contacts

Local Club: Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance

Land Manager: Washington State Parks - Olallie State Park

Shared By:

Rick Oakley
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 9 votes

#1

in Snoqualmie Pass

#6233

Overall
  4.3 from 9 votes
5 Star
56%
4 Star
22%
3 Star
22%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Snoqualmie Pass

#114

in Washington

#6,233

Overall
35 Views Last Month
13,621 Since Jan 18, 2017
Easy/Intermediate
43%
43%
14%
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Photos

Great views abound from the trail of all the mountains along the I-90 corridor. This is likely Bandera Mountain.
Jul 9, 2017 near Riverbend, WA
Alice Creek Campsite is a worthy respite from a day of summer riding.
Feb 28, 2017 near Riverbend, WA
Crossing one of the many trestles! This one is over Hansen Creek.
Jul 9, 2017 near Riverbend, WA
The trail is smooth and wide... we rode the trail with our two kids in the trailer. You can ride it with a typical hybrid bike or a cyclocross too.
Jul 9, 2017 near Riverbend, WA
Another big trestle adds to the excitement!
Jul 9, 2017 near Riverbend, WA
Crossing the trestle over Change Creek.
Jul 9, 2017 near Riverbend, WA

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Check-Ins

Jun 19, 2022
Monika Whitfield
Beautiful ride 22.5mi — 1h 24m
Aug 29, 2021
nikki gee
Beautiful ride on a clear summer day. Easy 3% grade downhill coast. The tunnel at 2miles long was cool and dark and damp in places. 22.2mi — 2h 18m
Jul 10, 2021
Donnie Hofstrand
Jul 26, 2020
Brian McFarlane
Jun 15, 2019
Jay Wilson
14mi
Jul 27, 2018
Atanas Malamov
4.6mi
May 26, 2018
Bert Hui
Rode in the opposite direction specified. Rode from Cedar Falls, WA to just west of Cle Elum. 32mi
Jan 2, 2018
Danila Popov
great ride. frosty 13mi

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