RENSLOW VIADUCT ~ PALOUSE TO CASCADES TRAIL
Welcome to the newest addition to the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail project. The $1.23 million Renslow Viaduct rail trail trestle was just opened in May 2021. The old railroad trestle sports a fresh new look, complete with new decking and railings. This renovation will improve safety and will eliminate one of the few remaining trail detours between Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend and the Columbia River, resulting in 32 miles of continuous trail. Crossing the renovated trestle will also add a new and exciting element to the trail experience. The 100-mile portion of the trail from Cedar Falls, near North Bend, to the Columbia River south of Vantage has been developed and is managed as the Iron Horse State Park.
The Renslow Trestle is a very visible and recognizable landmark for any Washington motorist traveling the Interstate between Ellensburg and the Columbia River. The trestle was constructed as part of the corridor of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, also known as the Milwaukee Road. Workers completed the railroad’s rugged Pacific Coast Extension that connected Chicago with Seattle and Tacoma in 1909. Passenger trains ran until 1961, and the railroad used this crossing as part of their mainline operation from 1909 until it ceased operations in Washington in 1980. The State of Washington then purchased most of the line between the North Bend area and the Idaho state line.
This trestle, which spans Johnson Creek Canyon, was initially built as a timber trestle in 1908. After the line opened in 1909, the railroad replaced the wooden trestle with a steel viaduct that was completed in 1910. 800 tons of steelwork was erected inside and around the wooden trestle while it was still in use. The steel bridge crosses the valley on twelve spans, some 679 feet long and 114 feet above the valley floor to the top of the bridge deck. Conveniently, the lanes of I-90 were able to fit under the 1910 bridge when the highway was constructed in the 1960s.
Later this year (around September) the Beverly Bridge, spanning the Columbia River, will be finished. The progress on this trail has been amazing!
NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES ALLOWED ON THE BIKE TRAILS
Army West Trailhead (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 on Boylston 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.
SECTION MAP:
East Kittitas County
MORE P2C TRAIL INFORMATION:
Wiildrose Goes For A Bike Ride ~ Palouse to Cascades Trail
This cache has an approved Permit to be placed at this location on property managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Visitors are responsible for acquainting themselves with policies and rules pertaining to State Parks areas.
The following items shall not be placed in the geocache: Food items; illegal substances; medications; personal hygiene products, pornographic materials; inappropriate, offensive, or hazardous materials or weapons of any type.
By searching for the cache, visitors agree that they are responsible for their own actions, and acknowledge that neither the State of Washington nor the cache owner is responsible for any loss or injury that may occur in relation to such search.
Report any incident, problem, or violation to State Parks staff.