Hello fellow Washingtonians, I would like to attend Seattle Hempfest Aug 18-19th. During that weekend, I-5 will be closed northbound, and traffic is going to be a mess (and there is a Mariners game on the 19th to boot).

I spend most of my "in the saddle" time on the Orting Foothills trail, the Interurban and the Tenino Trail.

What I would like to do, is drive up on the eastside and take the 520 bridge, then park someplace safe. Then ride to Myrtle Edwards Park on the waterfront. I'd like to keep the trip to about 10 miles.

I have downloaded the several of the maps on the King County website <<here>> (http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/roads/bike/map.cfm) but I am totally unfamiliar with the area. (I live in Puyallup BTW)

Do you have any recommendations for a place to park (like a Park and Ride) or any other safe location to leave my car for a couple hours that is within a easy ride to Hempfest?

405 to 520 will be horrible.

Would you be coming north on 167? When you get to 405 head West (Southbound exit but it actually goes west) and stay on it as it turns into 518 and goes up the hill. If you come North on I-5 instead of 167, take the westbound 518 exit when you get to Southcenter mall.

From 518 go North on 509, this will be about 8 or 9 miles from the 167 exit or 5 miles from the I-5 exit.

You will go North on 509, cross over the 1st S bridge, and the highway will continue North as HWY 99/east marginal way. Before the road ramps up for the viaduct, exit to the right. This will be the Spokane St., West Seattle bridge, E. Marginal Way exit, and should be about 9 miles from where you got on 509 off 518.

After the road jogs over to the other side of the raised hwy, just a few blocks north of this exit, watch for the lots. Under the intersection of the Spokane st viaduct (approach to the West Seattle bridge) and the Alaskan way viaduct (hwy99) there is lots of parking that is virtually empty on weekends. I wouldn't leave a car there overnight but it's not a problem during the day. From there is about a 3 or 4 mile bike ride along the waterfront to Myrtle Edwards Park.

Good luck and hope you don't get busted at Hempfest.
Last I heard, you don't live anywhere near the Pacific Northwest, so why don't you just butt out?

Good luck and hope you don't get busted at Hempfest.

Boondock asked a valid question, and your response was not especially helpful.

Boondock, why not just park at Southcenter Mall, and take Interurban more or less into the city? Either way, you have to negotiate downtown streets. There's a few spots to park right by Interurban/GRT other than Southcenter Mall which are quite safe, as well.

Or do you have a reason for wanting to be on the eastside?

East Hill

Good luck and hope you don't get busted at Hempfest.
Considering that you don't live here, you seem to be unusually concerned with law enforcement matters in the Pacific Northwest. Planning on a relocation?

I really want to go as well. I'd have to get work off though. We'll see.

I am hoping the OP doesn't get busted with a parking ticket or otherwise have problems with parking for the festival.
donnamb, I visit Portland every one to two years to see old friends. Why do you ask?
Some of your posts related to law enforcement matters in the Pacific Northwest have seemed like the sort that trolls make. I'm sure you didn't mean to come across that way. Once plausible reason for your interest that I could think of was that you were going to be moving to the area.


A troll is someone who intentionally posts messages about sensitive topics constructed to cause controversy in an online community such as an online discussion forum or USENET groups in order to bait users into responding.

Good luck and hope you don't get busted at Hempfest.


Fortunatly for us our police (thanks to a vote by our voters) have better things to do than harrass a hemp festival.

Thank you for the help. Old Fart, and Easthill I appreciate your replies. I think I will either approach from the south on the interurban, or park at Seatac Airport and ride up from there.

The other idea I have is to park at the Park and Ride in Federal Way, and take the 174 bus into downtown Seattle. That way I can still take the bike. But I have never taken a bus around here. But it seems like an option.

If any of you guys who ride on the interurban or the Orting Foothills trail, see a guy riding a nondescript Trek 950 and a Brooks saddle and saddle bags, say hello !

I am hoping the OP doesn't get busted with a parking ticket or otherwise have problems with parking for the festival.

Boondock specifically stated that he did not want to park at Hempfest, but ride his bike in. Those of us who live in the area are helping solve that problem.

Boondock, it's also possible to pick up the 174 at Southcenter. That would get you considerably closer to your vehicle on your return trip.

Unfortunately, I will not be in town on the 18th or 19th, or I would probably suggest meeting you (and ElCapitano) near Southcenter, and guide you down there myself :) .

East Hill

Correction for East Hill, the 174 does not stop at Southcenter thats the 150 which would be a good option. Boondock from Federal way the better bus is the 194 it is an express runs along the freeway with a side trip to the airport then back on the freeway to Seattle. It is also less ghetto than the 174.

Correction for East Hill, the 174 does not stop at Southcenter thats the 150 which would be a good option. Boondock from Federal way the better bus is the 194 it is an express runs along the freeway with a side trip to the airport then back on the freeway to Seattle. It is also less ghetto than the 174.


Ooops :o ! You are correct, ngateguy. I was thinking of the 174 because that's the one which I see all the time (because I work at SeaTac) and I was thinking about Boondock's plan to park at the airport. The 150 is the one I used to use all the time before I started riding the bike (so I have no excuse for not remembering correctly :p ).

The 150 would work if you parked at, or near to, Southcenter. I've never taken the bus from FW, so I don't have any experience with the 194.

Incidentally, EVERY Metro bus has at least a two bike rack. Some of them have the upgraded three bike rack.

East Hill

Another option is to carpool.

There is virtually no parking available where the festival is being held.

The bus, or bike, is the most logical way to get there.

East Hill

No, I mean carpool to wherever the cars will be parked, where the bicycles can be unloaded. It would be one less vehicle onhand to worry about. Another option is to approach nearby landowners and ask if you can park in their driveway if they're given $50.00 for their trouble. That technique works like a charm during golf tournaments with people near the course earning bundles of money.

There are no nearby landowners. The festival is being held at Myrtle Edwards Park, which is located on the Seattle waterfront. You should try looking at Google Earth to see where the park is located. You would understand Boondock's concern about parking, and why he wishes to ride his bike to the festival.

East Hill

thanks ngateguy and East Hill, I looked on the Metro Transit website and the Express Bus 194 looks like a great route to get there. I wish I had more experience with the bus system. I've lived in this area since 2000 when I was stationed here. But I was kinda busy for the last couple of years, until recently, when I retired from the USAF. I think I might do a practice run next weekend.

I have not taken the bus here, and I know they have bike racks, my concern is getting to the bus stop, and have the bus there, and incompetently trying to mount my bike on the rack, all the while, the driver and passengers waiting for me to figure out that I am clueless.

thanks ngateguy and East Hill, I looked on the Metro Transit website and the Express Bus 194 looks like a great route to get there. I wish I had more experience with the bus system. I've lived in this area since 2000 when I was stationed here. But I was kinda busy for the last couple of years, until recently, when I retired from the USAF. I think I might do a practice run next weekend.

I have not taken the bus here, and I know they have bike racks, my concern is getting to the bus stop, and have the bus there, and incompetently trying to mount my bike on the rack, all the while, the driver and passengers waiting for me to figure out that I am clueless.

Show up early in case there is a lot of compitition for bike rack spots. And don't worry the bike racks are real easy to use. I even figured out how to use them :D

thanks ngateguy and East Hill, I looked on the Metro Transit website and the Express Bus 194 looks like a great route to get there. I wish I had more experience with the bus system. I've lived in this area since 2000 when I was stationed here. But I was kinda busy for the last couple of years, until recently, when I retired from the USAF. I think I might do a practice run next weekend.

I have not taken the bus here, and I know they have bike racks, my concern is getting to the bus stop, and have the bus there, and incompetently trying to mount my bike on the rack, all the while, the driver and passengers waiting for me to figure out that I am clueless.

Don't worry about looking clueless-new people on buses are a fact of life, and no one will pay any attention probably. And, there's this handy guide:

http://transit.metrokc.gov/tops/bike/loadbike.html

East Hill

Show up early in case there is a lot of compitition for bike rack spots. And don't worry the bike racks are real easy to use. I even figured out how to use them :D

So if the racks are full, I guess I take the next bus? I think I will go to the South Hill Transit Center close to my house, and watch people do it. I don't want to get "stage fright" :rolleyes:

Thank you East Hill, I spent hours searching for a guide like that... :)

Wow. Lotta people jumped Blue Jays for a pretty benign off-the-cuff remark. Are we a little touchy here?
Hempfest? Leave it to Seattle to have a whole festival about hemp.

If carpooling is chosen, use caution because others traveling in the same vehicle to the Seattle Hempfest (http://hempfest.org/drupal/) might be inclined to carry illegal drugs such as marijuana in their pockets or in their luggage. That could lead to problems greater than parking tickets or vehicle tows.

I do not intend to purchase, ingest, or transport any illegal substances. I just want to show my support to "Reform Marijuana Laws" in the US.

So if the racks are full, I guess I take the next bus? I think I will go to the South Hill Transit Center close to my house, and watch people do it. I don't want to get "stage fright" :rolleyes:

Thank you East Hill, I spent hours searching for a guide like that... :)

I think your plan sounds like a good one, and I'm glad you found the guide handy!

East Hill

I do not intend to purchase, ingest, or transport any illegal substances. I just want to show my support to "Reform Marijuana Laws" in the US.

Not to mention the reform hemp laws so we can legally grow it and use it to manufacture a plethora of useful goods.

I am sure in 1933 when citizens of the US were attending anti-prohibition rallies, there was not the kind of parking/access problems we have today.

Thank you Blue Jays for your erudite contributions.

If you take a bike on the bus, be aware that you are not allowed to load or unload bikes in the Seattle downtown core area. Since it looks like you're not planning on busing all the way into town it's probably not an issue but I though it might be a good thing to know.

I am sure in 1933 when citizens of the US were attending anti-prohibition rallies, there was not the kind of parking/access problems we have today.
and none of them had a beer or a whiskey beforehand either...

:rolleyes:


:D


:lol:

If you take a bike on the bus, be aware that you are not allowed to load or unload bikes in the Seattle downtown core area. Since it looks like you're not planning on busing all the way into town it's probably not an issue but I though it might be a good thing to know.

Oh, that is a good thing to know! So, it would be possible to unload in SoDo, but probably not anywhere close to Myrtle Edwards?

This is more complicated than you would think at first glance. Another thing that may wreak havoc with plans is the cruise ship arrivals and departures, which also occur down on the waterfront...I'll have to do some research on that.

East Hill

Ahh, Hempfest. The best place in Seattle to see middle-aged female herb aficionados with tie-dye T shirts get baked and then decide to go topless. I prefer the tie-dye, myself.

LOL. It will be my first time to Hemp Fest. I'm excited. Are there a lot of glass vendors there? I'm assuming there will be.

yes ElCapitano, there will be trinkets and souvenirs for sale. But if you really support the cause, then sign a petition or join one of the activist or lobbyist organizations like NORML or MPP. In the next 10 years marijuana will be legal (its already legal in 13 states as a medical treatment). Nevada or California are states where it will first be decriminalized and legal and (TAXED!)

I'll have to do that Boondock. I'm meeting a few other people there from my paintball website www.pbnation.com (http://www.pbnation.com). Should be fun.

All right, I'm waiting for the report. How'd you do with the transportation issue, Boondock?

East Hill

You're a weekend too early unless I missed some other adventure.

I do this run just about every day from kent to downtown seattle.


Personally, I would park your car at the end of the green river trail (north end). There's a little cul-de-sac parking area near a fenced off park where there's a bathroom. You can get to it off of 99. It's right by the post office distribution center in south seattle (off of 102nd st.)

Then just take the bridge across the river to E. Marginal way south and follow that all the way to Alaskan way and into myrtle edwards park. If you absolutely can't ride on streets, the majority of E Marginal has wide sidewalks. You can also go on 1st avenue then across to alaskan. Should be a fairly nice ride, probably around 10 miles one way. No bike trails, but once you hit South Seattle, dedicated bike trails are hard to find. The bike map shows to cut across to airport way, but with the I-5 closure, that's probably the last place you'll want to be biking.

Personally, I would avoid the buses as much as possible. I hate waiting for the dang things, and I hate leaving early to catch a bus (or waiting around for the next one if I want to leave early).

You're a weekend too early unless I missed some other adventure.

Oops! I thought this weekend, but you're right, next. I saw posters all over the East Hill for the Hempfest as we left yesterday morning heading out to Fort Simcoe :o .


Personally, I would park your car at the end of the green river trail (north end). There's a little cul-de-sac parking area near a fenced off park where there's a bathroom. You can get to it off of 99. It's right by the post office distribution center in south seattle (off of 102nd st.)

I think I gave Boondock this option via PM. It's a great place, and the Tukwila Community Center is a good place too (although a bit further south).

Welcome to BF, bizzz111!

I'll ask again next week :p .

East Hill

Depending on where in the Puyallup area you live, you could consider taking the narrows bridge, parking at either the Southworth or Bainbridge ferry terminals and riding the trail to the festival. Figure 30 minutes to Southworth from Tacoma or 1 hr drive to Bainbridge from Tacoma.

I did not know the Green River Trail went that far north. So the parking area for it is somewhere off of 102?

Yes, I think it actually ends at 102nd. The USPS P & DC is on 27th Avenue S. If you exit from 599 onto 102nd, turn right at the light, and drive past the P & DC (it'll be on your left hand side). It's a dead end road, so proceed all the way to the end and park. Don't even think about parking at the P & DC, it's reserved for employees.

East Hill

I took the bus up today...Or yesterday, i'm posting kind of late. I got my first piece for $10. I was there at 4:20 and there was a small cloud over the stage crowd.

How many people showed up? The PI made it sound as if they were expecting over 150,000 people! That cloud could just have been from that many folks breathing :D .

East Hill

There were hundreds of people in the line to get in the whole day. It never slowed down.I got some vietnamese food there too. Delicious.

Good to know that you had a great time. Now, has Boondock recovered enough to let us know how it went?

East Hill

Hello, I had a great time. I ended up parking at the parking area, at the north end of the Green River Trail, off 102 and riding north on East Marginal Way. It was a fun time, but there were SOOOOOOOOOO many people. I missed being there are 4:20pm (for those of you who don't know, 420 is slang for marijuana).

I'm heading to the Olympia Hempfest this weekend. 25-26 Aug.

<<here's the website (http://www.olyhempfest.com/)>>

I will do the same thing, driving up, finding a place to park, and riding my bike to the festival.

So it sounds as if our direction giving came in handy! Excellent...enjoy the Hempfest in Oly!

East Hill

As it turns out i'll be attending the olympia hempfest tomorrow if everything follows through.