Like
getting
a bargain at the second hand store, trail users have their own
tunnel.
It's the 2 mile long "Snoqualmie Tunnel." Such an engineering
feat
would never be afforded to mere bicyclists, but the railroad was
"important
business" back in the days when this tunnel was built. Now that
Milwaukee
Railroad is gone, its tunnel is like a prize piece of furniture that
has
been cast away to a second hand shop. Cyclists and other trail
users
can take advantage of this significant facility that the rest of
society
has no more use for.
West
end of
trail located near North Bend, Washington about 30 miles east of
Seattle.
More of my Iron
Horse
Trail photos
2001, 2005, On
Flickr
Photos by region,
by subject, contact.
Scroll down for more photos.
Tunnel
is not lighted so bring a light.
In
1980 the
Milwaukee Road railroad ceased operation. Its old facilities
still
cross the Cascade Mountains just east of Seattle. Recently, the
right
of way has been turned into a linear state park called the Iron Horse
State Park. Trail is called the John Wayne Pioneer Trail.
Eventually
this trail may cross the entire state, but only sections of it are
completed
today. A significant segment starts by North Bend, WA.
There
are several places to access the trail from. A good westerly
starting
point is at Rattle Snake Lake just south of North Bend.
Iron
Horse
Trail crosses the Cascade Mountains just south of I-90 and Snoqualmie
Pass.
It goes over several trestles and through a tunnel that is two miles
long.
Trail is snowed in during much of the winter. The long tunnel is
usually closed November 1-May 1, or so.
Lake
Easton
State Park, about 10 miles east of Snoqualmie Pass, serves as an
eastern
headquarters point.
Contact
Washington State parks for the latest information. 1-800-233-0321
Some
ways
to get there.
Trail
crossing
an old trestle
Some
rusty
rail equipment still visible.
Bring
a light
and enjoy. Trail heads through tunnel and comes out by Lake
Keechelus.
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Comments
submitted by readers
Some History
Hello,
I read your article on your trip on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. I
felt compelled to fill you in with a very short history of the
Snoqualmie Pass Tunnel (Tunnel No 50). The reason for the addition of
Tunnel No 50 was to provide protection from avalanches for trains
traversing the summit. The survey for the tunnel was completed in 1908.
In 1911 work had begun on Tunnel No 50. The tunnel was completed on
January 1, 1915 for $2,000,000.00. On January 15,1915 the first
eastbound train passed through the tunnel. At 11,888 feet the
Snoqualmie Pass Tunnel was the longest tunnel on the Milwaukee Road's
system. It took 700 men to compete the tunneling. The process was
started from the west portal and the east portal. The road crews meant
in the middle on August 4, 1914. The Snoqualmie Pass Tunnel
construction was unique in that it used the European Method of heading.
The actual name of the trail is Iron Horse State Park and John Wayne
Pioneer Trail. The trail starts at Cedar Falls and continues to Vantage
on the Columbia river for a distant of 109 miles. There are 5 train
tunnels on the trail between Cedar Falls and Thorp. Lake Easton State
Park is approximately 16 miles east of Snoqualmie Pass.
Cheers!
Maurya
Interpretive Assistant
Lake Easton State Park
Sent Jan. 2007.
More comments
My wife and I
enjoyed bicycling
through the Snoqualmie tunnel at Hyak, though it was slippery, wet and
dark. Luckily, we had headlamps. The views at the tressle were
spectacular.
Today they had a special bicycling event. We also bicycled in the
opposite direction and again, were impressed with the vista. Thanks for
all your information.
Marcus
Another reader writes
The section from
Easton up to the
pass and the tunnel is a great ride, The rangers have secure
overnight
parking at Easton State Parks. I had a bike trailer and camped
along
the Keechelis Lake. The section past the Lake is wonderful with
lots
of biker and hiker users today. The tunnel seems to be quite the
tourist spot and will likely develop a big reputation over time.
Parks may have to do some fix up on it as some of the folks were
ridding
and walking with out lights and the side wall drain have holes to fall
in. Had a couple young guys ride back through with me whom had
rode
through without lights and crashed.
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