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A rail-to-trail conversion that features a two-mile tunnel, four tall railroad trestles, and scenic views of the valley.


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Map Key

22.2

Miles

35.7

KM

Point to Point

3,875' 1,181 m

High

976' 298 m

Low

1,460' 445 m

Up

3,056' 931 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

45%

Max Grade (24°)

Dogs Leashed

Family Friendly Start at Hyak and its all downhill! Hiking through the tunnel is a unique experience that the kids will love.

  • Bring a charged light and some extra layers. You'll need it for the very long, dark, and cold tunnel.
  • Before you start hiking, make sure to leave a retrieval car at the end of the trail. Unless you want to hike all the way back.
  • Snoqualmie Tunnel is closed from October to April. Snow and ice are common on the trail in the winter, and the trail passes through avalanche chutes east of Bandera.

Description

Also known as the Iron Horse Trail, this gentle descending trail is an easy hike for adults and kids and is popular with families as a point-to-point hike that starts at Hyak and ends at Cedar Falls for an enjoyable, possibly multi-day, 22-mile downhill hike. The trail features many scenic viewpoints of the upper Snoqualmie Valley. Note that the steep climb shown in the elevation profile doesn't account for the tunnel through the mountain.

Camping is also possible, with campsites located at Alice Creek and Carter Creek. Bring $12 cash to complete the on-site self-issue.

Contacts

Shared By:

Rick Oakley with improvements by Logan Jackson

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 5 votes

#27297

Overall
  3.0 from 5 votes
5 Star
20%
4 Star
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3 Star
40%
2 Star
40%
1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#1,294

in Washington

#27,297

Overall
5 Views Last Month
1,753 Since Aug 9, 2017
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Photos

A small tributary cascades near its confluence with Humpback Creek.
Jun 29, 2017 near Riverbend, WA
A nice little trail side blossom near Rattlesnake Lake
Sep 15, 2018 near Riverbend, WA
Annette Lake and McClellan Butte trail sign.
May 6, 2015 near Riverbend, WA
A wet leaf on a wet Autumn morning
Dec 7, 2019 near Riverbend, WA
Small waterfalls and streams are just off the trail, offering an opportunity to refill (treatment recommended) or just cool off!
Dec 10, 2018 near Riverbend, WA
Great views abound from the trail of all the mountains along the I-90 corridor. This is likely Bandera Mountain.
Dec 10, 2018 near Riverbend, WA

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Check-Ins

Nov 10, 2023
Michael Young
Jun 26, 2021
Jared Stewart
Only hiked the trail from Hyak through Snoqualmie tunnel. It was a great way to escape the heat! 5mi
Nov 11, 2020
Dan Hanus
Hiking up near Oallie...winter is coming!
May 22, 2020
Dan Hanus
wet friday, quik hike!
May 15, 2020
Dan Hanus
Another Friday late afternoon hike...
May 8, 2020
Dan Hanus
quick one today!
May 1, 2020
Dan Hanus
quick hike at Olalie!
Apr 24, 2020
Dan Hanus
Friday afternoon...on the trail to somewhere!
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