Name: John Wayne Pioneer Trail: Hyak to Rattlesnake Lake
Rating: 3.0

“A rail-to-trail conversion that features a two-mile tunnel, four tall railroad trestles, and scenic views of the valley.”

— Rick Oakley

GPX File — Driving Directions

Overview

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.
Snoqualmie Tunnel is closed from October to April. Snow and ice are common on the trail in the winter, and the trail passes through avalanche chutes east of Bandera.

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

Dogs: Leashed

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

Rate Trail

Clear

3.0 from 2 votes

Your To-Do List

Your Difficulty Rating

Get On-Trail Navigation

Send to Phone

Your Check-Ins

Check-Ins

Jul 8, 2017

Vikram Sahney

Rode from Hyak to Rattlesnake area as part of a large group ride organized by The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. Great day out for the family! 20mi

Jun 21, 2017

Athena Brooke

May 13, 2017

Katie Fox

Oct 23, 2016

Sean Nessen

Leisurely ride from Hyak down to Rattlesnake Lake 21.4mi — 3h 40m

Stewarded By

Full Details

Trail Ratings

3.0 from 2 votes

#1

in Snoqualmie Pass

#11725

Overall

3.0 from 2 votes

5 Star		0%
4 Star		0%
3 Star		100%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Rankings

149 Views Last Month

1,291 Since Jan 18, 2017

Easy

		100%
		0%
		0%
		0%
		0%
		0%

Conditions

Unknown

Update Conditions — History

Getting forecast...

Add a Photo

Photos

Great views abound from the trail of all the mo...

Alice Creek Campsite is a worthy respite from a...

Crossing one of the many trestles! This one is ...

The trail is smooth and wide... we rode the tra...

Another big trestle adds to the excitement!

Crossing the trestle over Change Creek.

Enjoy phenomenal views from the trestle along t...

Another big trestle! This one is over Mine Creek.

The trail is smooth and the views are great. En...

Getting closer to the end, the smooth tread is ...

Depending on the time of day, riders can catch ...

Small waterfalls and streams are just off the t...

The exist of the Snoqualmie Tunnel. A small ca...

Typical section of trail. Wide and well groomed.

A large group ride prepares to enter the tunnel...

Part of an old avalanche shed that protected th...

The wide gravel trail makes for easy going.

A few blooms add some color alongside the trail.

0 Comments

Thanks for the comment

Slow down, you've reached your posting limit

Nearby Rides

Ripping up the first of many switchbacks along the Ranger Creek Trail.

22.8 mi 36.7 km

Ranger Creek Loop

Buckley, WA

Aaron Bradford making quick work of Fully Rigid.

19.3 mi 31.0 km

Tiger Mountain Loop

Thrilla in Woodinvilla

Kingsgate, WA

MTB Project is part of the REI Co-op family,
where a life outdoors is a life well lived.

Shop REI Mountain Bike

MTB Project is supported by

Support Your Local IMBA Chapter

22.2 Miles 35.7 Kilometers Doubletrack	1,460' 445 m Ascent -3,056' -931 m Descent
3,875' 1,181 m High 976' 298 m Low	4% Avg Grade (2°) 45% Max Grade (24°)
Unknown Update

John Wayne Pioneer Trail: Hyak to Rattlesnake Lake

22.2 Miles 35.7 Kilometers

Doubletrack

1,460' 445 m

-3,056' -931 m

3,875' 1,181 m

976' 298 m

4%

45%

Unknown

“A rail-to-trail conversion that features a two-mile tunnel, four tall railroad trestles, and scenic views of the valley.”