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.
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.
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.
Transit Trekker 