Engine and Caboose

They don't actually use cabooses anymore. An END-OF-TRAIN DEVICE (EOD) is now typically in its place.

Navigating the Iron Horse

Seth Rides Along Lake Keechelus

Through the Heat

Snoqualmie Tunnel

After crossing the hazard over some strategically placed logs and getting reloaded, we come upon the entrance to the tunnel. It's a grand entrance. There is a link fence gates with large signs reading:



But there was no turning back, it was too late in the day and to far to go back to North Bend, and the thought of crossing the washout again gave us no real choice but to try and brave the tunnel. Aus did a little reconnaissance on foot and realized that the pin hole of light at the end of the tunnel was the other side. Despite being able to see all the way through, the overwhelming dark did nothing to bolster our spirits. We were all a little nervous as we pulled out our lights and put on our jackets.



We capitalize on a small hole in the corner to squeeze ourselves and our bikes through. The tunnel is cold, wet, in dis-repair, and very, very, very Dark. We put on all of our lights and head into the inky depths. At its deepest, the interior temperature is in the forties and humid. Fallen tiles are strewn about a road covered in sand and riddled in washouts filled with puddles of black water.



Did I mention it was DARK?

About midway through, I had switched with Seth and was riding at the back. Turning over my shoulder I realized that the entrance, like the exit, was now but a pinhole of light. Seth wonders aloud, "If something did happen, how long would it take before someone realized we were in this tunnel?" Aus laughed uncomfortably and would not let me stop for a photo.

After what seemed to be five times as long as it actually was, we near the end of the tunnel. There is a lot of water seeping through the ceiling, though the road on this side is in better shape. Riding behind Aus, I realize I can see breath in the moist cold air. At this end we encounter a gate like the one on the other side.

This one, like the road, is also in better shape on this side. So much so, we had to unload in the cold and pass everything over the fence including our bikes. There is a strong humid wind on this side and, like a cold breath, moisture is visible coming from the vacant darkness.

After a long day on the Iron Horse we are buoyed by our adventure and head on with relieved smiles.

Unload, Reload

Day One on the John Wayne Iron Horse Pioneer Trail:



We start with hearty breakfast at Ken's and head for Rattlesnake lake from North Bend where we stayed at the Edgewick Inn. I accidentally ran over a slug at the lake (sorry slug) on route to the 'Iron Horse. The old rail road grade is a steady 2-3% on varying sizes of gravel. In some places it's small, packed and easy to ride on, in other sections in and around Cle Elum it was medium, deep, and loose.

The short bridges were covered in a larger gauge that was slightly difficult to ride on. The larger brides were sturdy steel beauties covered with oxide and in great condition. Thank you AT&T, the service of your lines along the trail actually help keep it rideable.

We are almost upon the Snoqualmie Tunnel and have not seen any obvious detours. We know the tunnel is closed thanks to the Park Service Ranger who works at the Seattle REI. As we get nearer to the tunnel, we encounter caution tape blocking a 35 foot washout in the trail with running water through it.

We've come nearly 20 miles at a steady 2%. At nearly ~1700 feet of climbing over gravel, we were not going to turn around. Aus somehow manages to get his rig across in a one piece, Seth and I, unload and reload, crossing with our gear in pieces.

On the Iron Horse