Pacific Northwest - Interurban Trail in Auburn, WA

I was wondering where can you park at to ride on Interurban Trails starting in Auburn??
Can anyone tell me the cross street names in Auburn?

Thanks!

You can park at the YMCA off 15th and Perimeter Rd, the Supermall on the Northside of theater, W. Main St., Emerald Downs, and 37th St NW. Those are the Auburn locations.

I park at the Y also....

So they won't tow your car away if you park at the Y?

I usually ride to the trail from my house (East Hill), but there are a few spots in the gravel lot off West Main Street. On the weekends there are often a handful of cars there during the day. Probably not safe for overnight though.

I have never had a concern or complaint while parking at the Y. I do see other cyclists parking there also. It is a pretty big lot that doesn't fill up.

Last night we tried to connect the Orting valley trail with the Interurban. Took a little searching but we found our way. Look forward to the day when these trails are one.

Don't count on Sumner to be part of it they have been putzing around on this thing for years. I can't take credit for this verse but it sums it up pretty well and I quote " The sun has 4 billion years of light left, Sumner's portion of the trail will be completed in the dark" Now I really don't know how many years of light really are left in the sun but it sounds good anyway. Sumner isn't part of the rails to trails coalition either. Can't figure our city officials out on this one and its been that way forever it seems. Very few bike lanes and not too much concern at city hall for them either.

Don't count on Sumner to be part of it they have been putzing around on this thing for years.

I can attest to that poor attitude.

My buddy and I were trying to connect from Lakeland Hills to the Bridge across the White/Stuck River on 24th St E just south of the City's golf course on a recent Saturday morning for a trip down to South Praire and back. Looking at the aerial photos of the area, we figured that the eastern most cart path would be the safest route between the Pierce Co. trail and the bridge, instead of East Valley Hwy or Stewart St over to Valentine. I also figured that the City would have figured a temp trail connection while a permenant trail is being completed, but that is not the case. Upon passing the maintenance shop, we were quickly stopped by a golf course rep and told that no bikes or walkers are allowed on the cart path. We explained that we were just going to the bridge trail south of the course. He said that there is no connection trail and the golf course not going to serve that capacity. He stated "Course Safety" as the primary reason. I'm sorry, but I've ridden the River Trail through Kent a hundred times right along the Golf Course and I haven't seen any golfers, bikers or walkers laying on the ground because the recreational users are mixed in the area. Given the fact that it was the start of our ride and we didn't want to ruin the rest of our morning arguing over this point, we routed around via Stewart Road.

I'm amazed that someone in the Sumner Parks and Rec Department hasn't promoted the multiple recreational use opportunity that is present with the City owning the golf course. Looking at their long range trail plan they show a connection trail in the general vicinity. I understand the fact that the City has contracted out the management of the course, but contracts can be modified given changes that occur.

Sorry, just ranting when given the chance.

That golf course is a money loser and it seems as if any exposure it gets to the biking public might translate into more golfers since I know physically active folks like to do many different activities. There are a couple of oddball paths that really don't go anywhere in that area south of the golf course. Like the bridge you mentioned. We thought it went to the REI warehouse and connected with Puyallup avenue somewhere but it goes about a quartermile south and just stops DUH. I really love my little town of Sumner but when it comes to cyclists its like the attitude is so what deal with what we have. I haven't seen the long term plan because if I did it would only make me angry at how long the city is saying its going to take.

Stringbreaker, we found that short length of trail. What a Red Herring. Excited for about 100 yards and then we could tell by the loose gravel and sand it would die out fast. It did. I was wondering where the bridge trail went since we didn't go back to check it out.

Speaking of Interurban... I live in Bellevue. I often ride to Renton down the Lake WA loop to that intersection near Fry's Electronics. What's the best way to get from there to Interurban? I know of Grady Way but that road is a bit dangerous for cyclists.

And yes I realized something was up with Sumner when I tried to plan a route to get to my friend's house in Sumner. Interurban kind of just ends in Pacific.

Yep ya gotta ride on the road. If you take Milwaukee ave south to its end there is a sharp left and after one short block a sharp right. This right puts you on Valentine which ends at 24 street there you turn left and follow that into Sumner its 4 lanes with a turn lane in the middle there are two ways to go onec you get to the end of near the end of 140th, a right at the city garages will bring you out onto Traffic and I do mean Traffic avenue then heads south to Main at the Arco. If you stay on the 4 lanes it ends up winding around to Puyallup Ave where you take a left and head east to East Valley Rd then a right which winds around to downtown Sumner. Its pretty straight forward if you google it you will see how relatively easy it is to get into Sumner but don't expect any bike lanes once you get there.

Here is a map for the existing route between Sumner and Pacific. Sorry but it's all roads at this time.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Interurban-Trail-Algona-Pacific-to-Foothills-Trail-Puyallup

The hold up on the trails is that Stewart St/ 8th St is planning for major upgrade to handle the traffic load between Hwy 167 and Lakeland/Lake Tapps area.
The plan is that the trail system will follow along the Stuck River until it reaches Stewart St. then it will be part of Stewart as it crosses over the Stuck via a new bridge and then under the UP railroad tracks. Then it will link up with the Interurban in Pacific.

This plan has been posted in the Sumner website for years. They had open bidding for the Stewart Rd upgrade sometime last year, but none were accepted due to bids coming in to high. They are to try again next year. I admit it's a long read, but then again the information is there

http://www.ci.sumner.wa.us/Documents/Trails/Trail_plan.pdf

I hope this helps.
Good reading and Pedal On!

Oh, thanks for the directions! Now I can see how I can get to stringbreaker's house :) .

East Hill

Good.:thumb:
Take care riding on Valentine Ave. Lots of big trucks and crappy narrow road with no shoulder.:(

Good.:thumb:
Take care riding on Valentine Ave. Lots of big trucks and crappy narrow road with no shoulder.:(

I ride Valentine twice a day on my commute. It can get a little dicey, sometimes the ride on 140th that goes through the Sumner warehouse area and its 4 lanes with a center turn is even scarier. I ended up riding on the sidewalk today for about 2 blocks, seems like folks think its a freeway instead of a 35 MPH zone. I have to say that most and I mean about 95% of the semi truckers are really good about giving me a lot of room. They will get over in the left lane unless there is too much traffic for them to get over which is what happened today when I had to get on the sidewalk. ( a mirror is essential). Then there is Traffic Ave. that goes past the library and Mclendon hardware lots of unaware drivers. Sumner just isn't very bike friendly until about 7:00 pm

I rode that very route yesterday, between Sunset Chev and auburn Boeing. Just make the traffic go around is what I do. I know it pisses people off, but they know we're not doing it for spite.

I rode that very route yesterday, between Sunset Chev and auburn Boeing. Just make the traffic go around is what I do. I know it pisses people off, but they know we're not doing it for spite.

I thought the new interchange was supposed to keep the trucks off Traffic Ave. Granted there are less of them now but try that Traffic Ave and West Main around 2:30 to 6:00 pm and see what I mean. Looks like the Swift trucking guys are thumbing their noses at the city of Sumner. Whats going to happen if the geniuses at city hall and Sound transit allow a parking garage to be built when the on ramp to 167 and 410 is a joke now.

Stewart Ave between the Stuck River and the bottom of Lake Tapps Parkway is now four lanes!
I commute to Boeing in Auburn riding down Lake Tapps Parkway, and now I have my own (right) lane all the way to the bridge!
Since the road funnels down to two lanes over the bridge for now, drivers stay in the left lane.
THANK GOD!!!.

Speaking of Interurban... I live in Bellevue. I often ride to Renton down the Lake WA loop to that intersection near Fry's Electronics. What's the best way to get from there to Interurban? I know of Grady Way but that road is a bit dangerous for cyclists.

And yes I realized something was up with Sumner when I tried to plan a route to get to my friend's house in Sumner. Interurban kind of just ends in Pacific.

Try going 7th Ave to Oaksdale then cut over to Grady or 180th to connect with the trail. I think if you take Park to Bronsen then over to Burnett that will hook you up with 7th, I do not know what it is like to ride on Park but on weekends I do not imagine it being that bad.

Stewart Ave between the Stuck River and the bottom of Lake Tapps Parkway is now four lanes!
I commute to Boeing in Auburn riding down Lake Tapps Parkway, and now I have my own (right) lane all the way to the bridge!
Since the road funnels down to two lanes over the bridge for now, drivers stay in the left lane.
THANK GOD!!!.

What building do you work in at Auburn Boeing? I'm in the 45

17-10.2 (2nd floor) Col H-2 Tool Design.
Gary.W.McCune

I'm now looking for a tandem partner.
I'll be a stoker from now on due to visual degeneration. :eek:
Putting my bikes up for sale later this month, after tune ups and sprucing up.
Going to miss my rides (bikes) and riding single frames. :cry:

I'm in tool and die tryout in the 45 building small world

There is also a small lot that's rarely full just west of the railroad tracks on Main St. This lot is right on the trail and is intended for just this purpose. There is also a small lot at the very South head of the trail in Pacific which is like wise never full (at least when I've been there, and I ride it a lot). Cross street is 3rd Ave SW (Pacific, not Auburn). From there to the Tukwilla junction with the Green River Trail and back is 30 miles.

Here is a map for the existing route between Sumner and Pacific. Sorry but it's all roads at this time.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Interurban-Trail-Algona-Pacific-to-Foothills-Trail-Puyallup

The hold up on the trails is that Stewart St/ 8th St is planning for major upgrade to handle the traffic load between Hwy 167 and Lakeland/Lake Tapps area.
The plan is that the trail system will follow along the Stuck River until it reaches Stewart St. then it will be part of Stewart as it crosses over the Stuck via a new bridge and then under the UP railroad tracks. Then it will link up with the Interurban in Pacific.


FYI, the City of Pacific has acquired all the land and right-of-way needed to extend the Interurban south from 3rd Ave to Stewart, now it's a matter of designing around the wetlands and getting the funds to actually build it. That would at least be a friendlier route south to Stewart than Valentine. Like Sumner, Pacific has had the trail extension plan on the books for years -- progress is slow, but it's still moving along.

Not holding my breath for the Stewart Road improvements, Pierce County doesn't seem particularly eager to fund their share of the cost after permitting so much of the development that choked the road.

There is also a small lot that's rarely full just west of the railroad tracks on Main St. This lot is right on the trail and is intended for just this purpose. There is also a small lot at the very South head of the trail in Pacific which is like wise never full (at least when I've been there, and I ride it a lot). Cross street is 3rd Ave SW (Pacific, not Auburn). From there to the Tukwilla junction with the Green River Trail and back is 30 miles.


Also parking in Algona, where the trail crosses 1st Ave N, across the street from the store. And I've seen some trail users park at the Jack in the Box in Pacific, on Ellignson Road -- their parking lot connects to the trail, and is rarely full.

Not holding my breath for the Stewart Road improvements, Pierce County doesn't seem particularly eager to fund their share of the cost after permitting so much of the development that choked the road.

You are right. Looks like Pierce Co. are having a hard time following though on their comittments.

Sumner just got done doing the stretch of road between the Stuck river and Lake Tapps Parkway. (very nice BTW). Now it on for the next phase.

The Sumner website shows a time line below.

136th Ave. E. (Valentine) 24th St. to 16th St.
Improve road to minor urban arterial (truck route) standards with three lanes plus bike lanes for a total of 50 ft. width within 72 ft.
ROW. Project to be a joint project with the City of Pacific to 8th St.
$5,000,000 30% funded.
We have 30% CERB grant TIB grant and LID for the remainder.

Stewart Rd (8th St.)
White River Bridge Stewart Road at White River
This bridge would replace the existing 2-lane bridge.
It will be two unequal length spans. The width will be 74 feet to accommodate 4 lanes,
a sidewalk on one side and trail crossing on the other.
$6,500,000 No funding at this time. Construction time frame 2012/2014.
County will contribute 71% of local share. We will attempt to get 80% federal grant

I cannot find anything on timelines for road improvements between tne river and Hwy 167.
But as of now the best senario is 2 - 4 years out just for the bridge.

I'm going to contact Shawn Bunney (Pierce County council member) an find out if he knows anything.
I will post anything I come up with.