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Ride Summary:
Maintained gravel roads with long climbs.
Trail Description:
Though this trail is a well maintained gravel road for most of its length, it is an intermediate ride because of some long steep hills. You will also find some fun singletrack branching off from this trail. One highlight of this trail is to ride it when the Salmon are spawning. There are several creeks crossing under bridges and they are packed with exhausted salmon trying to make it the last bit to their spawning grounds. Because of this, it is essential you use the bridges and don't cross through the streams. This trail gets heavy equestrian traffic so be polite.
O miles turn right onto Sammamish River Trail.
.3 miles turn right onto the rough gravel Tolt Pipeline Trail.
.6 miles cross the road and head up the extremely steep trail on the other side.
1.1 miles This is the most technical section of the trail. The gravel road ends here and a steep winding singletrack drops down to a busy street below. There is no shoulder on the road and no way you can see cars coming or they can see you. So do everyone a favor and walk down this section of trail.
3.5 miles the trail levels out and crosses three streams. This is where you can see the spawning salmon if your lucky.
From here, just keep going straight following the pipeline.
How to get there:
Park near the soccer fields where 175th and the Sammamish River Trail intersect.
| Posted by: Todd on 9/6/2010 |
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First of all, the hardest part of this trail is out of the Sammamish River valley. It is the first hill out of the valley but I disagree with the reviewer above who said the rest isn't all that bad. I think it is. The rest of it is not easy. There are four hill peaks beyond the opening hill that will definitely test you. And there are more beyond that but you get some reprieve with some nice downhills. I have a hybrid bike which was suitable and I had no issues. The trail is wide enough that you probably could drive two semis through it side by side. I personally was not all that impressed with its surroundings and in my view, unless you are very fit (I'm a 43 year old who rides about 100 miles a week), you are going to spend quite a bit of time pushing your bike up a gravel incline... not my idea of fun. But I suppose it warrants a test drive and probably should be experienced at least once. But I'm not going out of my way to do it again. Oh wait I don't have
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| Posted by: jim on 4/8/2010 |
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The very begining of this trail is actualy next to 405 near 160th street exit.If you go down 116th ave N.E.which is next to the gas station in about a quarter mile you will see it.This will take you on a good amount of down hill all the way to the red hook brewery where all it takes is a quick ride on the road to cross the samamish river and link up to the sam.river trail and back to the rest of the pipeline trail.
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| Posted by: Dan on 8/30/2001 |
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Wicked climbs and very pain full downhills on the gravel, headed east just after the pedestrian bridge a couple miles past the redhook brewery if you look back to your left you get a good view of the seatlly sky line far in the distance if it's not too cloudy.
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| Posted by: David on 10/11/2000 |
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I ride this pipeline road almost weekly because of its proximity to work and home. The technical single track is gone. There is now a bridge that crosses the road. Because of the sustained climbs, I suggest weekend warrior status. Salmon streams are a must-see, really cool. Connection to the Redmond watershed adds over 8 more miles to the ride. Can also make this a loop by heading south out of the watershed and connecting to the Puget Power trail via a short on-road route. Once back at the Sammamish River bike path, head north to the starting point. I estimate the loop to be between 22 and 24 miles long. I have done out-and-back rides on both segments but not the loop. Great intermediate ride without the long drive.
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| Posted by: Greg on 12/30/1999 |
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Try this: start at Avondale Road, and go east on the Tolt trail for about 5 miles, then find the small singletrack on the right. You can follow it all the way to the Redmond Watershed.
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| Posted by: Will on 6/5/1999 |
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This starts with a wicked steep climb. Then it goes on and on seemingly forever. Keep your eyes open for singletrack that spurs off this gravel road. That is where the fun is to be had.
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