trails

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.

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

Transit Trek with Me and Washington Trails

On April 8, I’m leading WTA staff to Maury Island to share one of my favorite local transit treks

RSVP NOW

What: A Transit Trek

Washington Trails Association accepted my invitation to join me on a transit trek — and you are invited!

Maury Island is one of the best examples of a stunning local hiking and camping destination that is currently transit trekkable — but owing to infrequent transit service and commute-focused water taxi schedules is not particularly convenient as a transit trek. So it’s a place I will keep talking about and coming back to.

We’ll hike Dockton Forest, Maury Island Natural Area, and Maury Island Marine Park.

When: April 8, 2024

This is an all- or most-of-the-day outing.

  • 7:30 a.m. Arrive no later than this to board the water taxi at Seattle Pier 50 / King County Water Taxi
  • 7:40 Water Taxi departs. Sailing time is about 22 minutes to Vashon.
  • 8:07 King County Metro Route 119 departs; the bus is a short walk from the ferry landing
  • 8:30 Route 119 arrives at Dockton Park and Marina
    We’ll stop for the restrooms and to fill up on water, and for me to address the group. We’ll likely start the hike around 9 a.m.
  • Depending on the average pace of the group and our location, around 12:15/12:30 we’ll start heading back to Dockton to catch the 1:00 pm route 119 back to Vashon or the ferry terminal.

Seattle-based trekkers have the option of catching the route 119 back (leaves Dockton at 1 p.m.) to Fauntleroy Ferry for a 1:40 departure, or hoping off the bus in central Vashon for lunch on your own and then catching a 118 to catch a later ferry sailing or to catch the King County Water Taxi 4:58 sailing back to downtown Seattle.

Coming via Tacoma? The quickest way for you to reach Dockton Forest is probably to take the 118 from the Pt. Defiance/Talequah Ferry and bike to Dockton, weather permitting. Alternately, hop off in Valley Center and grab coffee or breakfast before hoping on the Dockton-bound 119 with the Seattle group, if you are up for this leisurely pace.

NOTE: The water taxi at this time runs between Pier 50 and Vashon 3 times in the morning and 3 times in the evening, making the Fauntleroy-West Seattle ferry + Rapid Ride C your best option for a midday return to Seattle. The state legislature just funded temporary increased weekday service for the water taxi, but it’s unclear how soon Metro can roll out those operations (I’ve heard they have the staffing and boat capacity to do this, so I’m optimistic it will be soon). UPDATE: The Vashon Island Chamber of Commerce reports the additional mid-day service is expected to start July 1, 2024.

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

RSVP to get details about meeting up and preparing for the trip. For those who’d like to contribute to a trip audit, please let me know when you RSVP. This consists of taking a few minutes during the trip to note the helpful and “needs improvement” aspects of doing this trip via transit. (See the October transit trek page here if you’re want to read more. And check back, I’ll be posting the audit I completed for that trip here on the blog soon.)

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 may cancel.
  • The total mileage is about 9-10 8-ish miles (that’s a high estimate), with mild elevation gain in the forest with overall elevation changes of 400 to 600 feet. For those who wish to extend their time at Dockton or either of the marine area parks, you can head over to Maury Island Marine Park, but be sure to be back to Dockton in time to catch the next and last 119 at 4:00 pm, or nearby along the 119 route in time to flag the bus down; I can point you to specifics the day of. (Edited to reflect that this hike includes the Marine Park.)
  • Restrooms 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. Alternately, come with us to Dockton and stick to exploring the forest trails and the gravel path above the Natural Area on your own and re-join the group on the 119 leaving Dockton at 1 p.m., or, if you are really loving the area, the 4 p.m. and *last* 119 departure from Dockton. UPDATE: Beginning April 1, there is an additional 119 departure from Dockton at 7:30, if you realllly want to spend a long day there.
  • There is a new playground at Dockton Marina, but it’s unclear if some finishing touches will be done by the time of our hike.
  • 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. 
RSVP NOW
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 hike
Handy Links
View from cliffs above Maury Island Marine Area looking out over western Puget Sound down to the shoreline below

Opt Outside with Transit Trekker

Let’s piggyback on Opt Outside by spending the fourth Friday in November outdoors on a Transit Trek.

RSVP NOW

What: A Transit Trek

We’ll take the King County Metro Rapid Ride C Line to West Seattle to catch the WSDOT ferry from Fauntleroy to Vashon Island, then catch King County Metro route 119 to Dockton Park. From there, we’ll hike through the Dockton Forest and down to the beach at Maury Island Marine Area, a trip of about 6 miles roundtrip, with mild elevation gain through the forest and short but sharp elevation changes en route to the beach and back.

Tacoma residents are welcome. The quickest way for you to reach Dockton Forest is probably to take the 118 from the Pt. Defiance/Talequah Ferry and bike to Dockton, weather permitting. Alternately, hop off in Valley Center and grab coffee or breakfast before hoping on the Dockton-bound 119 with the Seattle group, if you are up for this leisurely pace.

When: Friday, November 24, 2023

Plan to catch the Rapid Ride C Line to arrive at the Fauntleroy ferry terminal by 8:20 a.m., in time to board the ferry departing for Vashon at 8:30 a.m. We’ll catch the 119 to Dockton. For our return trip, we will aim to catch the 119 leaving Dockton at 1:03 pm back to Vashon.. Transit trekkers have the option of remaining on the 119 back to the ferry for a 1:35 departure, or hoping off the bus in central Vashon for lunch on your own and then catching a 118 to catch a later ferry sailing. Info about meeting the group provided when you RSVP.

Why: Enjoy Transit Trekking and Capitalize on Opt Outside

The October transit trek and trip audit to the Grand Forest on Bainbridge was a success and folks asked for more. Opt Outside is the perfect opportunity to continue raising the profile of transit-accessible recreation and the need for more and better rural mobility options, and to have fun.

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

RSVP to get details about meeting up and preparing for the trip. For those who’d like to contribute to a trip audit, please let me know when you RSVP. I’ll have paper and online audit forms on hand. (What’s all this about an audit? See the October transit trek page here.)

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 request 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 may cancel.
  • The total round-trip mileage is about 6 miles, with mild elevation gain in the forest and short, more acute elevation changes of about 400 feet each way to and from the beach at Maury Island Marine Area. For those who wish to extend their hike, you can head over to Maury Island Marine Park, but be sure to be back to Dockton in time to catch the next and last 119 at 4:00 pm, or nearby along the 119 route in time to flag the bus down (I can point you to specifics the day of.)
  • Restrooms access at Fauntleroy terminal, on the ferry, at Vashon Island Terminal, at some Dockton Park, and a portpotty en route to the beach.
  • Kiddos: This trip should be manageable for kids who can walk up to six miles on their own and/or with caretaker assistance. There’s a playground at Dockton Park that is currently closed for upgrades but is scheduled to be open by the time of our hike. UPDATE, November 7: King County Parks now reports that the playground upgrades won’t be completed until December.
  • Dogs: Metro allows dogs on board at driver discretion, so most dogs may be able to make this trip; if anyone joining is uncomfortable with pups, I might ask dog walkers to walk a bit ahead of or behind the main group and to be extra mindful.  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 trails reasonably navigable. The beach section of the hike is 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. 
  • Bicycles are permitted in parts of Dockton Forest trails so cycles are welcome if you’d like to start and end a bike foray by traveling with hikers to and from Dockton, keeping in mind that buses typically have a maximum of 3 bike racks per bus.
RSVP NOW
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
  • Snacks and water (water fountains at both ferry terminals, on the ferry, and at Dockton Park marina)
  • A sack lunch if you want to explore Vashon post-hike but don’t want to buy lunch in town
Handy Links
What About the Water Taxi?
  • The King County Water Taxi between downtown Seattle and Vashon only runs on non-holiday weekdays at this time.

Edited 10/28/23 to add Tacoma information and 11/7/23 to update playground re-opening.