Palouse to Cascades (Iron Horse) Trail (gravel)

Join us for a ride from Palouse to Cascades State Park on a 42 mile route at 12-14 mph on the flats! This is an out and back on gravel railroad grade. The ride is ~19 miles of gradual uphill. Next, we ride through the dark 2.3 mile long Snoqualmie Tunnel. We take a break at Hyak trailhead (mile 21). At Hyak we turn around and return.

Let's meet at the Palouse to Cascades State Park and please be ready to ride at 10:30 am. 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.

We will climb and descend hills at our own pace, and our goal will be to regroup occasionally. 

Restrooms are available at the start (no water). The turn around (Hyak) at mile 21 has toilets and water. However, no guarantee the water is working.

Special needs for this ride:

• A gravel, touring, mountain, cross, or hybrid bike (able to ride on gravel) with wide, low pressure tires. I will be using 32mm puncture proof tires @ 38-40 psi.
• Headlight for the tunnel! The tunnel is dark, wet, and cold. Part of the tunnel is completely dark. 
• At least  2L of water (2 LARGE bottles will be ok).
• Enough snacks to fuel you.
• Appropriate clothing, especially a good jacket. As we will be in the mountains, you need to be prepared for mountain conditions. As we get near Hyak, weather can become blustery. The temperature can drop instead of getting warmer as ride continues.  
• Spare tube and tools to fix a flat, just in case.
• Discover Pass to park in the parking lot.

Do NOT leave anything valuable in your car or any bags visible at this parking lot. My car has been broken into at this parking lot.

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. Snoqualmie tunnel is scheduled to close for the winter starting Nov. 1, 2021. Schedule is subject to change depending on the weather.

Here are directions from wta.org - "From Seattle, proceed east on I-90. Take exit 32, making a right on 434th Ave, which becomes Cedar Falls Road SE. Pass the Rattlesnake Lake parking area, coming to the entrance and parking area for Iron Horse State Park 3.0 miles from exit 32. The entrance will be on your left. There are 63 parking spots, including 2 for ADA access and 5 for trailers."

We hope you can join us!