Halloween Tunnel Ride on Gravel

Ride 43 miles of gravel on the Snoqualmie Valley and Palouse to Cascades (formerly Iron Horse) trails, from Rattlesnake Lake to the Hyak trailhead and back. In celebration of Halloween, we will ride through the 2.25-mile long, pitch-dark Snoqualmie tunnel twice--once on the way out and again on the return. It also happens to be the last day we can ride through the tunnel before it is closed for the winter!

We will maintain a steady pace (12 to 14 mph on flats), adjusted for gravel and the long, gradual climb out and descent back.

Let's meet at Rattlesnake Ledge Trailhead parking lot; this is the lot nearest the trailhead. See the marker on the map for the precise location. No Discover Pass or fee is required for this parking lot. Please be ready to ride at 10 a.m. We will start with a required safety briefing, and roll out when that's done.  If you miss the briefing you will not be able to ride with the group.

What to bring: A road bike with 30mm or wider tires, or a gravel or mountain bike. A WORKING HEADLIGHT and TAIL LIGHT are MANDATORY, for the tunnel! ID; spare tube, pump, patch kit, tools, and skills to repair flats; a cell phone; and a plan should you have mechanical failures that you can't fix on the trail. Warm layers and gloves to put on for the tunnel and for the descent. Water and food to sustain you for the distance. Hand sanitizer and/or wipes and toilet paper.

What to expect: Easy-riding gravel, with generally a 1 to 3 percent railroad-grade slope. Our goal will be to stay together or regroup frequently. The tunnel has no light; it is stunningly dark. It has potholes, and usually there are pedestrians without lights or reflective gear. Hence, the requirement for good lights. The tunnel is cold; hence, the extra layers, which we will stop to put on before entering. Water drips from overhead at points in the tunnel. Because of the date, there will likely be numerous people in the tunnel, some in costumes and howling like ghosts. Along the route, there are several pit toilets at decent intervals. At the 21-mile turnaround point, where we will take a break, there are heated restrooms and water. Also expect: a seriously gorgeous ride, into the woods, along the edge of the mountain, over a spectacular trestle bridge, past streams, high rock faces, and waterfalls.

Note: If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criterion listed above or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions, the Ride Leader will post a ride-canceled note in the Comments section below at least two hours prior to the start and Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location.

I hope you can join the ride! I am NOT going to ride through that spooky tunnel all by myself.