Formally known as the the John Wayne Pioneer Trail.
Eventually, visitors will be able to travel on the trail across the entire state of Washington on the gentle grade of the former Milwaukee Road right of way. With more than 100 miles of trail extending from Cedar Falls in the Cascade Mountains to the Columbia River in central Washington, the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail is perfect for long or short trips. The trail leads travelers past high trestles with spectacular views of the valley below, mountainous terrain, sagebrush desert, arid scrublands and charming countryside farmlands of the Columbia Basin.
The trail is open year-round so that hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, wagoners, cross-country skiers, snowshoers and dog sledders can discover the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The family-friendly trail has a light gravel surface, a gentle and easy-to-negotiate grade and camping along the way. Interpretive panels along the trail and offer a peek into the history of the area.
Travelers also can look for the speck of light at the end of the 2.3-mile Snoqualmie Tunnel under Snoqualmie Pass - the nation's longest tunnel open to nonmotorized traffic. The Milwaukee Road built this tunnel in 1914 to improve the grade over the pass.
The trail, much of it managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, meanders through and past a number of Washington state parks, as well as public campgrounds managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Kittitas County Fairgrounds and several other hiking trails that intersect the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. So, travelers can make the most of any trip by taking advantage of a number of other recreational and interpretive opportunities.
