Wiildrose Goes for a Bike Ride ~Palouse 2 Cascades Traditional Cache

The Palouse to Cascades Trail (previously the John Wayne Pioneer Trail/ Iron Horse and Milwaukee Road) is a 285 mile rail trail spanning the state of Washington, from the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains to the Idaho border. Designated a National Recreational Trail, it is enjoyed by bikers, hikers, backpackers, snowshoers, skiers, dog sledders, horse riders, rail historians, and trail enthusiasts of all sorts. The trail highlights Washington's diverse and scenic landscape, traveling through evergreen forests and dark tunnels, over high trestles and spectacular rivers, and across open farmland and high desert. It meanders through a variety of ecosystems and geological zones.

The Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail is one of the longest rail-trail conversions in the United States. It was part of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad from 1909 to 1980. The trail passes through remote and sparsely populated areas of Washington state that are rich in wildlife and natural beauty. The trail is also part of the Mountains to Sound Greenway, a 1.5 million-acre landscape surrounding I-90 between Seattle and Ellensburg. Eventually, visitors will be able to travel on the trail across the entire state of Washington. Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail will link up with regional trails in King and Snohomish counties, the Columbia Plateau Trail from Pasco to Spokane, and the Spokane River Centennial Trail, which connects to Idaho’s trail system.

Anyone traveling the entire length of the trail will experience many landscapes: mountains, dense forests, irrigated farmland, arid scrubland, and the rolling hills of the Palouse region. The route crosses the Cascade Mountains in a 2.3-mile-long, unlit tunnel and traverses numerous canyons and rivers via bridges and trestles that offer spectacular views.

The trail follows the corridor of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, also known as the Milwaukee Road. Workers completed the railroad's rugged western mainline that connected Chicago with Seattle and Tacoma in 1909. Electric trains are part of the Milwaukee Road’s legacy, believe it or not! By 1980, the railroad had ceased operations on the right-of-way. The state acquired most of the corridor and originally named it for John Wayne after a lobbying campaign by outdoorsman Chic Hollenbeck, a big fan of the cowboy actor. Hollenbeck also founded the John Wayne Pioneer Wagons and Riders Association, whose members make an annual trek along the trail by wagon and horseback.

The western segment of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail runs 110 miles between Cedar Falls and the Columbia River. In this section (formerly known as Iron Horse State Park), most of surface comprises well-packed crushed rock, except for the 20 miles of loose sand in the U.S. Army Yakima Training Center. State trailheads are located at Cedar Falls, Twin Falls, Hyak, Easton, South Cle Elum, Thorp, Ellensburg West, Ellensburg East, Kittitas, Army West, and Army East. In this segment, four trailside primitive campsites are also available: two between Cedar Falls and Hyak and two between Hyak and Easton.

The westernmost trailhead is nestled in the Cascade foothills, just 35 miles from downtown Seattle. Beginning near the old Cedar Falls train stop, this 22-mile uphill railroad grade gets the most visitors. Many users like to take advantage of the grade and ride downhill from Hyak to Cedar Falls.

Washington State Parks now manages the eastern section, the entire trail from Beverly to the Idaho border. Users must pre-register to use this section of the trail. To experience the trail east of the Columbia River, travelers are required to obtain a free permit from Washington State Parks. This is a simple free online form. When the permit is obtained, trail users will receive the combination for the locked gates on the trail route and a map showing on-road detours.

East of the Columbia River, the trail is mostly track ballast and fat-tire bikes are recommended. (Even with fat tires, it may be too much, as I have read in the trail reviews. This rock would injure a dog’s feet, and I would wear boots if I were going to walk on it.) Beginning in Beverly, trail users return to irrigated farmland and wildlife refuges. In this section of the trail, trailheads are planned for Malden, Rosalia, Pandora, and Tekoa.

Although travelers will encounter some interruptions in the corridor between here and the Idaho border, improvements to the trail experience are actively being worked on by trail advocates. Currently, the longest gaps, which can be circumnavigated via roads, are between Smyrna and Warden, Ralston and Marengo, and Ewan and Kenova. Travelers should note that these on-road connections do not currently have trail signage marking the way. Many trestles have been burned by fire, and there are some private property issues, too, and these have caused several trail detours. (Some of these detours are long, and are on dusty gravel roads, that are shared by cars. As stated, detours are UNMARKED.) There are plans to have a trailhead at Lind by the end of 2021.

TRAIL INFO

• Discover pass is required at official trailheads.
• Free permits are required for trail use east of the Columbia River.
• Due to long distances between some of the towns, visitors are encouraged to carry water and snacks.
• Dogs or soft shoes are not recommended on the trail east of the Columbia River, and there are many long detours at the moment, along dusty gravel roads, shared by cars. Even fat tire bikes will have a hard time east of the Columbia, due to the sharp and deep railroad rock.
• No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail except for snowmobiles in winter, which are allowed from Stampede Pass Road to Cabin Creek.
• Winter sport opportunities are available. Sno-Parks require a seasonal or day permit from Dec. 1 - March 31. Hyak, Crystal Springs and Lake Easton sno-parks also require a groomed trail sticker with the seasonal Sno-Park Permit. A sticker is not required with a daily Sno-Park Permit. For more information, call (509) 656-2230.

Through the Snoqualmie Tunnel:
Look for the speck of light at the end of this 2.3-mile tunnel under Snoqualmie Pass — the nation’s longest tunnel open to non-motorized traffic. The Milwaukee Road built this tunnel in 1914 to improve the grade over the pass. The MEGA APE Event is a fun yearly geocaching event that takes place at the Hyak trailhead and proceeds through the tunnel to the APE cache and back. It is LOTS of fun!

West tunnel entrance — The Homestead Valley Trailhead (I-90 exit 38) is the first trailhead on the Iron Horse State Park Trail west of the tunnel (Discover Pass required). The US Forest Services’ McClellan Butte Trail (exit 42) and the Annette Lake Trail (exit 47) both intersect with the Palouse to Cascades Trail approximately 1 mile from their respective trail-heads (Northwest Forest Pass required).

East tunnel entrance — From I-90 in either direction, take exit 54 (Hyak/Gold Creek). Head south off the freeway to the stop sign. Turn left (east) on Route 906, which parallels the freeway. Follow signs to the Snoqualmie Tunnel.

Inside tunnel right of way — Hikers yield to equestrians. Bicyclists yield to hikers and equestrians.

PARKING AND TRAIL ACCESS

A Discover Pass, displayed in your motor vehicle, is required at trailheads.

TRAILHEADS:

Cedar Falls (Exit 32) Head south on Cedar Falls Road for 3.5 miles. After passing the Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area entrance, go left to the Iron Horse State Park parking lot (60 parking spaces). A trailhead leads to the Palouse to Cascades Trail. This is the western terminus of the trail. Connection to King County Parks Snoqualmie Valley Trail is located at the northeast corner of the Cedar Falls Trailhead parking area.

Homestead Valley (Exit 38) Eastbound traffic: Go right off the exit, cross the river and park in the lot marked Homestead Valley Trailhead. Westbound I-90 traffic: Go left off the exit for approximately two miles and park in the parking lot on your left marked Homestead Valley Trailhead. You can go both east and west from this trailhead.

Hyak (Exit 54) Head south off the freeway to the stop sign. Turn left (east) on the road that parallels the freeway (Route 906). Follow signs to Snoqualmie Tunnel. Sno-Park permits are required in winter. For information on winter recreation and to purchase a Sno-Park permit, visit www.parks.state.wa.us. Head westbound into the 2.3-mile Snoqualmie Tunnel (open May 1 to Oct. 31) or eastbound past Lake Keechelus to Lake Easton State Park. To continue east, detour on roads in the town of Easton to re-enter the trail. Sno-Park permits and Discover Pass can be purchased at the automated pay station near the full service restroom.

Easton (Exit 71) From the freeway, follow signs to Easton. At the stop sign, continue straight and cross the railroad tracks. Turn left onto the Palouse to Cascades Trail as it crosses the road. Drive about .25 mile east on the trail to the parking lot. An alternate trail route through Lake Easton is signed and provides access to camping, swimming and other amenities.

South Cle Elum (Exit 84) Follow the signs to South Cle Elum, then to Iron Horse StatePark. You can go east or west on the Palouse to Cascades Trail from this trailhead. The historic South Cle Elum Depot is along this section of the trail. Bullfrog Trailhead: 47° 10.809'N 121° 1.882'W

Thorp (Exit 101) From the exit, go north on Thorp Highway .25 mile. Turn left on Thorp Depot Road and continue another .25 mile to trail crossing. Park in the parking lot south of the trail. You can go east or west on the Palouse to Cascades Trail from this trailhead.

Ellensburg West (Exit 106) Ellensburg East (Exit 109) Hikers and bicyclists can follow signs to the campus of Central Washington University, north of I-90, to get to the Palouse to Cascades Trail on Water Street or Kittitas County Fairgrounds. You may enter and exit the trail either at the fairgrounds (east of campus) or at Water Street near Kiwanis Park (west of campus). To go through Ellensburg, you must travel on city streets.

Kittitas (Exit 115) Head north from the freeway into the town of Kittitas. Turn left onto the trail and park near the depot. You can go east or west on the Palouse to Cascades Trail from this trailhead. To continue east through the U.S. Army Yakima Training Center to the Columbia River, you will need a free permit - available at both Army trailheads.

Army West (Exit 115) Head north on Main Street past the Kittitas Trailhead to First Street. Turn right. First becomes Parke Creek Road and parallels the trail for 2.5 miles. Turn right on Prater Road, cross over the freeway, then take a left and proceed alongside the freeway for 3.4 miles to a T-intersection with Stevens Road. The trailhead is on the right. Register at the kiosk for your free trail permit.

Army East (Exit 136) From the freeway, travel south on Huntzinger Road past Wanapum Recreational Area. Cross the trail. After approximately 300 feet, turn right onto the Yakima Training Center access road. Go 2.5 miles to the trailhead parking. Register at the kiosk for your free trail permit.

To the Idaho border and beyond The eastern portion of the trail goes from the Columbia River (at Beverly) to the Idaho border. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources manages the trail from Beverly to Lind and requires permits for groups of 20 or more; call (509) 925-8510 for information. Washington State Parks manages the trail from Lind to the Idaho border. Permits are required for everyone using the trail in the trail section from Lind to the Idaho Border; the permit is free for groups of 20 or less. Permits for the Lind to Idaho border trail section may be obtained by calling (509) 337-6457.

DISTANCE BETWEEN TRAILHEADS (WEST):

Cedar Falls — Homestead Valley .................................4.5 miles
Homestead Valley — Hyak ..........................................16 miles
Hyak — Easton .............................................................18 miles
Easton — South Cle Elum ............................................11.5 miles
South Cle Elum — Thorp .............................................18.5 miles
Thorp — Ellensburg West ..............................................7 miles
Ellensburg West — Ellensburg East ..............................1.6 miles
Ellensburg East — Kittitas .............................................4.9 miles
Kittitas — Army West .....................................................6 miles
Army West — Army East .............................................20.6 miles

DISTANCE BETWEEN TRAILHEADS (EAST):

Beverly – Royal City Jct..............................................16 miles
Royal City Jct – Warden...............................................37 miles
Warden – Lind..............................................................21 miles
Lind – Ralston..............................................................18 miles
Ralston – Marengo.......................................................19 miles (Detour via Kline Road)
Marengo – Benge-Ritzville Rd Xing...............................5 miles
Benge-Ritzville Rd Xing – Revere................................10 miles
Revere – Ewan.............................................................15 miles (Detour via Cayuse Lake Rd.)
Ewan – Kenova.............................................................15 miles (Detour via Stephen Rd.)
Kenova – Pine City.........................................................2 miles
Pine City – Malden.........................................................4 miles
Malden – Rosalia.........................................................10 miles
Rosalia – Tekoa...........................................................20 miles
Tekoa – Idaho Border....................................................5 miles

The Palouse to Cascades Trail Coalition (formerly the Friends of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail) is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization devoted to promoting, maintaining and developing the Palouse to Cascades Trail (PTCT. I talked with a parks employee and asked how we can help their cause, and he told me that if we want to help with funding, we should call our congressmen and plead for more funding. I know that this trail will attract droves of users when it is finished!

This trail is a gateway to The Great American Rail Trail, a nearly 4,000 mile developing trail that will connect the country from Washington, D.C., to Washington State. Gateway trails represent those iconic trails that make possible the Great American Rail-Trail in each of the states it connects.