car-free adventure

View from cliffs above Maury Island Marine Area looking out over western Puget Sound down to the shoreline below

Week Without Driving 2026: Transit Trek with King County Parks

Join me and King County Parks on a Transit Trek to one of my favorite places, Maury Island Natural Area, Marine Park, and Dockton Forest on Thursday, October 1.

The outing takes place on the first day of the 2026 National Week Without Driving.

What: A Transit Trek Trip Audit

Maury Island is one of the best examples of a stunning local hiking and camping destination that is currently transit trekkable. Transit access has improved since we hiked this with Washington Trails Association in 2024 in the form of a more frequent weekday schedule for King County Metro route 119 and Water Taxi service. The water taxi now runs weekends, opening up much of Vashon’s pleasures to transit-reliant people. But the 119 continues to run only on weekdays, and is the only transit route serving Maury Island.

We’ll hike Dockton Forest and Maury Island Natural Area, with the option to extend the hike to Maury Island Marine Park. We’ll spend some time talking about current access to the area for nondrivers and what changes would increase and improve access. I’ll also review some of the other transit-accessible destinations on Vashon Island.

When: October 1, 2026

This is an all- or most-of-the-day outing. Check back for more details and to RSVP, including information for those starting from Tacoma using the Talequah Ferry.

How: Hiking boots on the ground and ORCA cards in hand

Check back to complete the RSVP form and get details about meeting up, preparing for the trip, and, if you want to, volunteering to help with the audit. You can see the audit volunteers helped put together at the Grand Forest hike on Bainbridge a couple years back at this link to get an idea of what we’ll produce.

Who: You

Info to help you decide if this is a trip you feel comfortable joining:

  • Attending is free, but participants are responsible for their own transit fare, lunch, and so on. Please note when RSVPing if you need assistance with fare; I’ll see what I can do.
  • I suggest that folks wear masks when we’re riding the bus together (about 25 minutes each way).
  • We’ll go rain or shine, but extreme weather or poor air quality may cancel.
  • Check back for details on estimated miles we’ll be hiking. There is only very mild elevation gain in the forest with overall elevation changes of 400 to 600 feet. Read a trip report here for more details.
  • Restroom access at Fauntleroy terminal, on the ferry, at Vashon Island Terminal, at Dockton Park, and some portapotty access during the hike.
  • Kiddos are welcome, but note the mileage and short but abrupt elevation changes on this hike. It’s probably best for older kids who can handle the mileage. That said, see the trip report above, which included a 6-year-old.
  • Dogs: Metro allows dogs on board at driver discretion, so most dogs may be able to make this trip. Dockton Forest and the marine area are both dog-friendly; leashes required. Ferry policy is here.
  • Service dogs are always permitted on transit.
  • These paths are generally not wheelchair friendly, though those who use some motorized mobility devices may find the forest trails reasonably navigable. The beach sections of the hike are generally not navigable for mobility devices.
  • For deaf or hard of hearing participants, please note your access needs in the RSVP form. While I don’t have the budget to hire an interpreter, I will do my best to work with you to find a good alternative. 
What to Bring
  • ORCA card or cash for fare
  • Dress for weather. We’ll go rain or shine, but extreme weather may cancel. 
  • A mask to wear on our two bus rides, which will be more crowded than usual
  • Snacks and water (water fountains at both ferry terminals, on the ferry, and at Dockton Park marina)
  • A sack lunch if you plan to eat on our quick lunch break during the hike
Handy Links

Paradise Should Be For All of Us

When my friend and fellow transportation advocate Jason Rock pointed me to this recent OpEd in the Seattle newspaper bemoaning the pilot timed entry system that Mt. Rainier National Park rolled out this year to manage the parks ever-increasing car traffic, I had a few things to say. Jason, our friend and trailblazing nondriver advocate Anna Zivarts, and I drafted an Op Ed in response, and it just dropped in The Urbanist. Take a look. Be sure to check out the video excerpt from a PBS documentary that explains why the Puyallup Tribe is pushing for the renaming of the mountain.

The park service took public comment on the timed-entry pilot in the fall and I suspect a lot of the public asked for transit access to the park. So I’ll be keeping an eye out for any developments as a result of the public comment process and updating here. Stay tuned.

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Idyllic scene of a small river bounded by trees on each side with a steel bridge in the distance and, further in the distance, mountains. It is near dusk and the sky is partly cloudy with much sun glowing through in the distance.

Transit Trek with Me to Snoqualmie Valley

This month, Snoqualmie Valley Transportation at long last launches weekend service on their Valley Shuttle route. Join me Sunday, August 18 for a celebratory outing to ride the shuttle and enjoy Tolt-MacDonald Park — or an outing of your own.

RSVPs are NOW CLOSED

What: A Transit Trek and Informal Celebration

Later this month, Snoqualmie Valley Transportation launches much-awaited and much-needed WEEKEND service on its North Bend to Duvall Valley Shuttle line.

This is big news that improves mobility for everyone in the Snoqualmie Valley. And it’s a big deal for car-free access to the area, putting the jewel that is King County’s Tolt-MacDonald Park into easier reach and improving access to the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. There’s SO MUCH to enjoy in the Snoqualmie Valley. Come and celebrate with me.

Want a social outing? Join a group to explore trails in Tolt-MacDonald Park. Or Choose Your Own Adventure if you want to be part of the celebration but prefer to do your own recreational thing. Keep reading for ideas, and important details, then RSVP to join.

When: Sunday, August 18, 2024

This is an all- or most-of-the-day outing. RSVP to get the exact schedule.

Option A: Group Outing to Tolt-MacDonald Park in Carnation
  • We’ll depart Seattle from Broadway and Denny on one of the earlier runs of Trailhead Direct to North Bend Park and Ride. Feel free to hop on at later stop if that works better for you.
  • We’ll hop off at North Bend Park & Ride and mosey to a local joint for some free celebratory treats before hopping on the Valley Shuttle to Carnation and Tolt-MacDonald Park.
  • Depending on the size of the group and preferences, we’ll explore the trails in the hills above the park. Or, if folks prefer to amble along the easier river trails, that’s is an option, as is breaking into two groups.
  • We’ll plan to catch the Valley Shuttle as a group back to North Bend in the afternoon.
  • Bring your own lunch or plan to grab something in town before the return trip. We’ll leave ample time for this in the schedule.
Things to know about Carnation and Tolt-MacDonald
  • It’s about two blocks to the park from the bus stop.
  • There’s an offleash dog park at nearby Valley Memorial Park. (The park map linked below is incorrect — the old offleash area is no more.)
  • There’s a playground at the park.
  • There are restrooms and sanicans throughout the park.
  • The paths in the park nearest the river are flat, but quite gravelly. There are shorter but lovely paved paths on the east side of the park.
  • The annual Refuge Outdoor Festival will be in its final day during our visit. Please be mindful and courteous of folks there to enjoy the festival.
  • There are several food options in town and a grocery store with a deli counter.
  • More details below.
Option B: Choose Your Own Adventure

After meeting up for our informal celebration and treats, there are plenty of options for those who want to strike out on their own. The following trips can be mostly started from North Bend without transferring to the Valley Shuttle:

  • Take your pup to the expansive Three Forks Off-Leash Dog Park, which is right off the Snoqualmie Valley Trail.
  • Fishing/swimming/water sports in Three Forks Natural Area along the Snoqualmie River.
  • Take a short hike on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, then exit at Tollgate Farm Park, a kiddo favorite from what I hear.
  • Mt. Si Golf. Golf club rentals are available; or call SV Transportation 425-888-7001  (at least a day in advance; more is better) to ask for flexible service to get dropped off and picked up closer to the entrance. UPDATE: Route deviation is a separate service launching in the coming months.
  • Hang around near the Elk Fields to see if any of the herd are around.
  • Get on/ back on Trailhead Direct to continue on to the Mt. Teneriffe, Mt. Si or Little Si trailheads.

The following trips require catching the northbound Valley Shuttle from North Bend. Destinations are listed in the order they are served by the northbound Valley Shuttle, from south to north:

  • Snoqualmie Falls — use the SE Fall City-Snoqualmie Rd & Tokul Rd stop, just after you pass under the wooden overhead walkway (which you can use to get to the falls and avoid crossing the busy highway here).
  • Remlinger Farms — Pony rides and steam train rides; U-pick raspberries — About a 20-minute walk from the Entwhistle St bus stop in Carnation, mostly via the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, or call SVT ahead of time to request a route deviation to the entrance at 425-888-7001 for both drop off and pick up. UPDATE: Route deviation is a separate service launching in the coming months. You would request a ride from a bus stop in Carnation ahead of time.
  • Camlann Medieval Village — use the Kelly Rd NE & 320th Way NE stop, or ask the driver if a flag stop is possible at the entrance to Camlann.

To return, hop on the Valley Shuttle or under your own power to return to North Bend. The westbound Trailhead Direct back to Eastgate Park & Ride and Seattle stops in front of the Pour House Bar & Grill.

How: Hiking boots on the ground and ORCA cards in hand

RSVP so I know to expect you, to get last-minute updates, and so I can order about the right amount of celebratory treats.

Who: You

Info to help you decide if this is a trip you feel comfortable joining. All apply to the Tolt-MacDonald outing but some apply to any destination:

  • Attending is free, as are celebratory treats, but participants are responsible for their own transit fare, lunch, and so on. Please note when RSVPing if you need assistance with fare; I’ll see what I can do.
  • I suggest that folks wear masks when riding the bus.
  • We’ll go rain or shine, but extreme weather may cancel or alter our plans.
  • Hiking mileage: as little as you want, up to 12 miles of trails in Tolt-MacDonald Park.
  • Restrooms access: there are portapotties throughout the park and flush toilets in the RV section.
  • Water: Access at the RV restroom and spigots just west of the suspension bridge
  • Kiddos are welcome, and Tolt-MacDonald Park has a playground. Trail elevation is variable, with the option to stick to easy riverside trails or to hike up into the hills west of the camping area.
  • Dogs: Welcome, but please see both Metro and Snoqualmie Valley Transportation’s guidelines (see the Service Animals/Pets tab) about bringing dogs on board, and if you aren’t joining the hike, be sure you know if dogs are welcome at your destination. (Metro doesn’t make it easy to find this on their site these days, so, sorry, no link.)
  • Service dogs are always permitted on transit.
  • Some paths on the east side of Tolt-MacDonald are paved and more or less flat, and thus wheelchair friendly. The flat, gravel trails along the Tolt River in that section of the park are much less so, as are the flat trails on the west bank of the Snoqualmie River
  • For deaf or hard of hearing participants, please note your access needs in the RSVP form. While I don’t have the budget to hire an interpreter, I will do my best to work with you to find a good alternative. 
RSVPs are NOW CLOSED
What to Bring
  • ORCA card or cash for Trailhead Direct fare, plus $2 for the suggested cash donation for the Valley Shuttle ($1 each way)
  • Dress for weather. We’ll go rain or shine, but extreme weather may cancel or alter our plans. 
  • A mask for our bus rides
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen, and other sun protection you need
  • Snacks and water
  • A sack lunch if you don’t want to grab lunch in Carnation or if needed for your chosen outing
  • Any permits (like for fishing) or other necessities for your chosen outing
Handy Links

Header photo of the Snoqualmie River looking south, taken circa fall 2020 or 2021 from the suspension bridge at Tolt MacDonald Park.