John Wayne Trail threatened
11-06-15, 11:26 AM
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John Wayne Trail threatened
It seems that an elected representative tried a last minute effort to abandon the John Wayne Trail east of the Columbia river. There are three public meetings for comment. Thankfully due to a typo his effort failed.
On November 23 in Ellensburg at the Hal Holmes center one of these meetings is being held. 209 N. Ruby Street. Meeting time 6:00 PM
From the Facebook event page:
"In the final moments of the last Washington state legislative session in June, 2015, Representative Joe Schmick slipped a provision into the budget to permanently close 135 miles of the John Wayne Trail in eastern Washington and give the state land to adjacent owners.
The John Wayne Trail (also called Iron Horse State Park) is 287 miles long and follows a former rail line that ran from Seattle to Chicago. Each year thousands of horseback riders, bicyclists, and hikers use the western part of the trail that extends eastward from the Cascade Mountain foothills, goes through tunnels underneath Snoqualmie Pass, and ends up along the banks of the Columbia River. This first 110 miles is well-developed with amenities such as trailhead parking, signage, restrooms, and a smooth surface. The trail continues 177 miles east of the Columbia River but with minimal amenities so fewer people use the trail. Here, it passes across the rugged and serene Missoula Flood scablands to the Idaho border.
Representative Schmick's efforts to transfer ownership of 6000 acres of the Washington State lands of the John Wayne Trail to private landowners was done behind closed doors without public notification or hearing. The trail would be closed today if not for a typographical error, a technicality which nullified the legislation he introduced.
Schmick has now agreed to hold three public “listening meetings” in which to solicit public comment and opinion. He says he will consider introducing legislation to address concerns expressed by citizens in these meetings."
I'm not sure where the other meetings will be held.
On November 23 in Ellensburg at the Hal Holmes center one of these meetings is being held. 209 N. Ruby Street. Meeting time 6:00 PM
From the Facebook event page:
"In the final moments of the last Washington state legislative session in June, 2015, Representative Joe Schmick slipped a provision into the budget to permanently close 135 miles of the John Wayne Trail in eastern Washington and give the state land to adjacent owners.
The John Wayne Trail (also called Iron Horse State Park) is 287 miles long and follows a former rail line that ran from Seattle to Chicago. Each year thousands of horseback riders, bicyclists, and hikers use the western part of the trail that extends eastward from the Cascade Mountain foothills, goes through tunnels underneath Snoqualmie Pass, and ends up along the banks of the Columbia River. This first 110 miles is well-developed with amenities such as trailhead parking, signage, restrooms, and a smooth surface. The trail continues 177 miles east of the Columbia River but with minimal amenities so fewer people use the trail. Here, it passes across the rugged and serene Missoula Flood scablands to the Idaho border.
Representative Schmick's efforts to transfer ownership of 6000 acres of the Washington State lands of the John Wayne Trail to private landowners was done behind closed doors without public notification or hearing. The trail would be closed today if not for a typographical error, a technicality which nullified the legislation he introduced.
Schmick has now agreed to hold three public “listening meetings” in which to solicit public comment and opinion. He says he will consider introducing legislation to address concerns expressed by citizens in these meetings."
I'm not sure where the other meetings will be held.
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11-06-15, 09:01 PM
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Good grief. It's not like there's much economic benefit to the adjacent property owners to keep people off the trail. If they were a bit forward-thinking, they might realize that there are opportunities to provide a few amenities and make the trail, and the amenities they sell, a profitable destination.
Thank goodness for typos.
Thank goodness for typos.
11-07-15, 02:29 AM
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That section of the trail -- as I understand it -- is very rugged, no? That clown can jam it but in his defense, does anybody ride on this section(s)? My guess is no. Still I like the idea that some day it could all be put to good use for us riders. The thought of riding a -- maybe even paved -- trail to the outskirts of Spokane from Seattle has not eluded me.
11-07-15, 10:53 AM
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Yes it's rugged and yes people do ride it. This blog account of a cross-state ride is a very entertaining read:
26InchSlicks: Crossing Washington State On The John Wayne Pioneer Trail
26InchSlicks: Crossing Washington State On The John Wayne Pioneer Trail
11-07-15, 10:58 AM
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11-07-15, 11:35 AM
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Homeowners have real, or imagined fears of a bunch of transients coming across their property on the trails. So, these types of trails can get some opposition. Plus, the land is "real".
In Missouri, one of the problems with the Katy trail was that the land was all easements, and thus didn't actually belong to the railroad. I think the state ended up having to buy the land for the trail/park.
But, I hate the idea of significant legislation getting tacked on as a backdoor amendments without hearings or debates.
It sounds like it would be a wonderful trail to pave, but there are also benefits of multi-use that isn't hardcore road riders.
If it was previously a railroad, then grades would be minimal. The issues would be the surface.
In Missouri, one of the problems with the Katy trail was that the land was all easements, and thus didn't actually belong to the railroad. I think the state ended up having to buy the land for the trail/park.
But, I hate the idea of significant legislation getting tacked on as a backdoor amendments without hearings or debates.
It sounds like it would be a wonderful trail to pave, but there are also benefits of multi-use that isn't hardcore road riders.
If it was previously a railroad, then grades would be minimal. The issues would be the surface.
11-07-15, 11:41 AM
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Yes it's rugged and yes people do ride it. This blog account of a cross-state ride is a very entertaining read:
26InchSlicks: Crossing Washington State On The John Wayne Pioneer Trail
26InchSlicks: Crossing Washington State On The John Wayne Pioneer Trail
11-07-15, 11:51 AM
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That section of the trail -- as I understand it -- is very rugged, no? That clown can jam it but in his defense, does anybody ride on this section(s)? My guess is no. Still I like the idea that some day it could all be put to good use for us riders. The thought of riding a -- maybe even paved -- trail to the outskirts of Spokane from Seattle has not eluded me.
Anyways, it would be nice to keep it open with hopes of trail improvements in the future. I'd rather it not be paved, personally.
11-07-15, 11:59 AM
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Thanks for the post Woodway. I know that even after Cle Elum the trail moves from a crushed gravel surface to a loose gravel to the dam (I work with 3 people that lived in the Ellensburg area and I've ridden it to Cle Elum) that say it's definitely MTB riding and once you get east of the Columbia it gets pretty rough.
11-07-15, 12:04 PM
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Around Keechelus lake:
Almost to Ellensburg. I know it looks rocky off trail, but it's pretty smooth doubletrack in the heart of the trail.
Almost to Ellensburg. I know it looks rocky off trail, but it's pretty smooth doubletrack in the heart of the trail.
11-07-15, 12:48 PM
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Squeaky Wheel
It's a nice ride from Rattlesnake Lake to Ellensburg. The fresh gravel up by Hyak has packed down a bit and it not too bad to ride. East of Ellensburg it gets pretty sandy and loose. Through the Army section it's really bad.
I've not ridden the trail east of the Columbia but it's on my bucket list. Turning this gem over to private landowners along the right-of-way is so short-sighted. Once it's gone, it's gone forever.
Here is a post from user andrusc on the MTBR Washington forum. I hope all the friends of the trail who read this will show support:
I've not ridden the trail east of the Columbia but it's on my bucket list. Turning this gem over to private landowners along the right-of-way is so short-sighted. Once it's gone, it's gone forever.
Here is a post from user andrusc on the MTBR Washington forum. I hope all the friends of the trail who read this will show support:
The John Wayne Trail in Washington Needs Your Help
In the final moments of the last Washington state legislative session in June, 2015, Representative Joe Schmick slipped a provision into the budget to permanently close 135 miles of the John Wayne Trail in eastern Washington and give the state land to adjacent owners.
The John Wayne Trail (also called Iron Horse State Park) is 287 miles long and follows a former rail line that ran from Seattle to Chicago. Each year thousands of horseback riders, bicyclists, and hikers use the western part of the trail that extends eastward from the Cascade Mountain foothills, goes through tunnels underneath Snoqualmie Pass, and ends up along the banks of the Columbia River. This first 110 miles is well-developed with amenities such trailhead parking, signage, restrooms, and a smooth surface. The trail continues east from the Columbia River but with minimal amenities so fewer people use the trail in eastern Washington where it passes across the rugged and serene Missoula Flood scablands to the Idaho border.
Representative Schmick's efforts to transfer ownership of 6000 acres of the Washington State lands of the John Wayne Trail to private landowners was done behind closed doors without public notification or hearing. The trail would be closed today if not for a typographical error, a technicality which nullified the legislation he introduced.
Schmick has now agreed to hold three public “listening meetings” in which to solicit public comment and opinion. He says he will consider introducing legislation to address concerns expressed by citizens in these meetings.
We are small group of volunteers based in the small city of Tekoa at the eastern terminus of the trail we are determined to keep open. We aim to find ways to develop adequate state funding for recreational development of the trail in eastern Washington and to help adjacent private landowners solve problems they face by having a linear state park in their back yards, such as the illegal dumping of garbage where the trail intersects public roads.
As a biker, hiker, or horseback rider won't you give your support to the future of this gem of Washington state, the John Wayne Trail?
What You Can Do To Help:
Write Representative Joe Schmick directly. Let him know how you feel about management of this state park land. You can reach him at JWTcomments@gmail.com. Also, write your local state representatives since they are likely to be voting on proposals for funding the trail (find their email addresses at Washington State Legislature)
Attend one of the three November meetings scheduled by Schmick. Be ready to give a pitch for the continued use and adequate funding for the John Wayne Trail. The meetings are:
Tuesday November 10th at 12pm. In Rosalia at the Community Center (7th St. and Whitman Ave.)
Monday November 16th at 12pm. In Lind at the Union Elevator Conference Room (201 S Street)
Monday November 23rd at 6pm. In Ellensburg at the Hal Holmes Center (209 N Ruby Street).
Issues that need to be addressed to ensure a successful future for the John Wayne Trail are:
1. Improve spraying for noxious weeds.
2. Reinstate ranger service by State Parks.
3. Develop a route where the train trestle once spanned Cow Creek.
4. Remove the permit requirement for recreationalists.
5. Remove fees for farmers moving equipment on the trail.
6. Restore Tekoa trestle so it is safe for hikers, horseback riders, and bicyclists.
7. Start a citizen litter patrol (“Adopt the Trail program”).
8. Repair the trestle that crosses the Columbia River.
9. Improve rock slide removal and gravel grading.
10. Install and maintain adequate fences and gates.
11. Install trailhead parking areas, signage, water stations, and restrooms.
For more information about this process call Ted Blaszak at 509-284-2080 or email us at tekoatrailandtrestle@gmail.com. Also, check out the Facebook page, "Tekoa Trail & Trestle Association". We plan to get a web page dedicated to the John Wayne Trail up and running soon so that you can stay abreast of event and progress.
In the final moments of the last Washington state legislative session in June, 2015, Representative Joe Schmick slipped a provision into the budget to permanently close 135 miles of the John Wayne Trail in eastern Washington and give the state land to adjacent owners.
The John Wayne Trail (also called Iron Horse State Park) is 287 miles long and follows a former rail line that ran from Seattle to Chicago. Each year thousands of horseback riders, bicyclists, and hikers use the western part of the trail that extends eastward from the Cascade Mountain foothills, goes through tunnels underneath Snoqualmie Pass, and ends up along the banks of the Columbia River. This first 110 miles is well-developed with amenities such trailhead parking, signage, restrooms, and a smooth surface. The trail continues east from the Columbia River but with minimal amenities so fewer people use the trail in eastern Washington where it passes across the rugged and serene Missoula Flood scablands to the Idaho border.
Representative Schmick's efforts to transfer ownership of 6000 acres of the Washington State lands of the John Wayne Trail to private landowners was done behind closed doors without public notification or hearing. The trail would be closed today if not for a typographical error, a technicality which nullified the legislation he introduced.
Schmick has now agreed to hold three public “listening meetings” in which to solicit public comment and opinion. He says he will consider introducing legislation to address concerns expressed by citizens in these meetings.
We are small group of volunteers based in the small city of Tekoa at the eastern terminus of the trail we are determined to keep open. We aim to find ways to develop adequate state funding for recreational development of the trail in eastern Washington and to help adjacent private landowners solve problems they face by having a linear state park in their back yards, such as the illegal dumping of garbage where the trail intersects public roads.
As a biker, hiker, or horseback rider won't you give your support to the future of this gem of Washington state, the John Wayne Trail?
What You Can Do To Help:
Write Representative Joe Schmick directly. Let him know how you feel about management of this state park land. You can reach him at JWTcomments@gmail.com. Also, write your local state representatives since they are likely to be voting on proposals for funding the trail (find their email addresses at Washington State Legislature)
Attend one of the three November meetings scheduled by Schmick. Be ready to give a pitch for the continued use and adequate funding for the John Wayne Trail. The meetings are:
Tuesday November 10th at 12pm. In Rosalia at the Community Center (7th St. and Whitman Ave.)
Monday November 16th at 12pm. In Lind at the Union Elevator Conference Room (201 S Street)
Monday November 23rd at 6pm. In Ellensburg at the Hal Holmes Center (209 N Ruby Street).
Issues that need to be addressed to ensure a successful future for the John Wayne Trail are:
1. Improve spraying for noxious weeds.
2. Reinstate ranger service by State Parks.
3. Develop a route where the train trestle once spanned Cow Creek.
4. Remove the permit requirement for recreationalists.
5. Remove fees for farmers moving equipment on the trail.
6. Restore Tekoa trestle so it is safe for hikers, horseback riders, and bicyclists.
7. Start a citizen litter patrol (“Adopt the Trail program”).
8. Repair the trestle that crosses the Columbia River.
9. Improve rock slide removal and gravel grading.
10. Install and maintain adequate fences and gates.
11. Install trailhead parking areas, signage, water stations, and restrooms.
For more information about this process call Ted Blaszak at 509-284-2080 or email us at tekoatrailandtrestle@gmail.com. Also, check out the Facebook page, "Tekoa Trail & Trestle Association". We plan to get a web page dedicated to the John Wayne Trail up and running soon so that you can stay abreast of event and progress.
11-09-15, 12:43 AM
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Worst part when I rode last summer was a stretch from Hyak east to about the southern tip of Keechelus Lake, where they'd put down fresh gravel, but put down too much of it. It was tough going on my 26x1.5" tires. Hopefully maintenance trucks will pack that down in short order.
11-09-15, 12:45 AM
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11-09-15, 12:22 PM
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The John Wayne Trail is a state park.
Homeowners have real, or imagined fears of a bunch of transients coming across their property on the trails. So, these types of trails can get some opposition. Plus, the land is "real".
In Missouri, one of the problems with the Katy trail was that the land was all easements, and thus didn't actually belong to the railroad. I think the state ended up having to buy the land for the trail/park.
But, I hate the idea of significant legislation getting tacked on as a backdoor amendments without hearings or debates.
It sounds like it would be a wonderful trail to pave, but there are also benefits of multi-use that isn't hardcore road riders.
If it was previously a railroad, then grades would be minimal. The issues would be the surface.
In Missouri, one of the problems with the Katy trail was that the land was all easements, and thus didn't actually belong to the railroad. I think the state ended up having to buy the land for the trail/park.
But, I hate the idea of significant legislation getting tacked on as a backdoor amendments without hearings or debates.
It sounds like it would be a wonderful trail to pave, but there are also benefits of multi-use that isn't hardcore road riders.
If it was previously a railroad, then grades would be minimal. The issues would be the surface.
11-09-15, 03:40 PM
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11-09-15, 04:06 PM
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Really? I thought it was Iron Horse State Park out to Idaho.
It's still public land, though, it sounded like Clifton was imagining it a series of easements across private land.
It's still public land, though, it sounded like Clifton was imagining it a series of easements across private land.
11-09-15, 04:21 PM
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Sounds interesting, I'd like to take a crack at it. I haven't done a great deal of mountain biking in
the last 50 years. I don't think they were even called mtn. bikes at the time, but we had a lotta
fun. I kinda put my old hardtail in moth balls & swapped good parts onto a newly acquired one with
front suspension. The trail belongs to the people. It should stay that way. More and more public
lands are disappearing into private hands. That, or we oft must pay to access them. We must hang
on to that which remains.
the last 50 years. I don't think they were even called mtn. bikes at the time, but we had a lotta
fun. I kinda put my old hardtail in moth balls & swapped good parts onto a newly acquired one with
front suspension. The trail belongs to the people. It should stay that way. More and more public
lands are disappearing into private hands. That, or we oft must pay to access them. We must hang
on to that which remains.
11-09-15, 04:32 PM
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The Katy Trail in Missouri didn't belong to the people. It was a railroad easement. When the railroad relinquished it, the landowners wanted the land back. The state chose to buy it to make it into a state park.
But, I agree. It sounds like this is a great recreation area. Loose it now, and it would be much harder to recreate it in the future, should times change.
Even if the state doesn't want to maintain it, they can mothball it, but keep rights to it. I know somebody that lives in Eugene with a non-through street across their property. It is too steep for a road. They can't build on it, but they have taken it over for their garden like free land. No taxes. Just free use of the property.
11-09-15, 04:41 PM
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I'd like to ride that trail. How far apart are the water supplies, once you get away from the Cascades? I'd put the wide tires back on my Fargo.
11-10-15, 11:48 AM
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Please do and report what you find. I've read reports that once you cross the dam on the Columbia it's brutal -- as this part of the trail is not maintained.
Last edited by toddles; 11-10-15 at 01:33 PM.
11-10-15, 01:11 PM
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If anyone knows a high profile public figure who might support the cause, this could be an opportunity to repeat a bit of history. Check out this story about how Supreme Court Justice William Douglas more or less single handedly saved the C&O Canal tow path from becoming a highway:
Associate Justice William O. Douglas - Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)
With the right media attention a bike ride along that section of the John Wayne Trail could do a lot of good.
As another point of reference, the Great Allegheny Passage provides an interesting model of how a handful of small rural towns turned abandoned railroads into an economic asset. My understanding is that this trail came together through a bunch of local conservancy groups buying the land and working together to promote it. Here's a relevant article from Forbes:
Biking and Business Along the Great Allegheny Passage
Associate Justice William O. Douglas - Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)
With the right media attention a bike ride along that section of the John Wayne Trail could do a lot of good.
As another point of reference, the Great Allegheny Passage provides an interesting model of how a handful of small rural towns turned abandoned railroads into an economic asset. My understanding is that this trail came together through a bunch of local conservancy groups buying the land and working together to promote it. Here's a relevant article from Forbes:
Biking and Business Along the Great Allegheny Passage
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11-10-15, 03:54 PM
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Read the blog post that I linked in above. It's a fun read and you'll get a great feel for what's it's like to travel this section.
11-10-15, 04:30 PM
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It seems that an elected representative tried a last minute effort to abandon the John Wayne Trail east of the Columbia river. There are three public meetings for comment. Thankfully due to a typo his effort failed.
On November 23 in Ellensburg at the Hal Holmes center one of these meetings is being held. 209 N. Ruby Street. Meeting time 6:00 PM
From the Facebook event page:
"In the final moments of the last Washington state legislative session in June, 2015, Representative Joe Schmick slipped a provision into the budget to permanently close 135 miles of the John Wayne Trail in eastern Washington and give the state land to adjacent owners.
The John Wayne Trail (also called Iron Horse State Park) is 287 miles long and follows a former rail line that ran from Seattle to Chicago. Each year thousands of horseback riders, bicyclists, and hikers use the western part of the trail that extends eastward from the Cascade Mountain foothills, goes through tunnels underneath Snoqualmie Pass, and ends up along the banks of the Columbia River. This first 110 miles is well-developed with amenities such as trailhead parking, signage, restrooms, and a smooth surface. The trail continues 177 miles east of the Columbia River but with minimal amenities so fewer people use the trail. Here, it passes across the rugged and serene Missoula Flood scablands to the Idaho border.
Representative Schmick's efforts to transfer ownership of 6000 acres of the Washington State lands of the John Wayne Trail to private landowners was done behind closed doors without public notification or hearing. The trail would be closed today if not for a typographical error, a technicality which nullified the legislation he introduced.
Schmick has now agreed to hold three public “listening meetings” in which to solicit public comment and opinion. He says he will consider introducing legislation to address concerns expressed by citizens in these meetings."
I'm not sure where the other meetings will be held.
On November 23 in Ellensburg at the Hal Holmes center one of these meetings is being held. 209 N. Ruby Street. Meeting time 6:00 PM
From the Facebook event page:
"In the final moments of the last Washington state legislative session in June, 2015, Representative Joe Schmick slipped a provision into the budget to permanently close 135 miles of the John Wayne Trail in eastern Washington and give the state land to adjacent owners.
The John Wayne Trail (also called Iron Horse State Park) is 287 miles long and follows a former rail line that ran from Seattle to Chicago. Each year thousands of horseback riders, bicyclists, and hikers use the western part of the trail that extends eastward from the Cascade Mountain foothills, goes through tunnels underneath Snoqualmie Pass, and ends up along the banks of the Columbia River. This first 110 miles is well-developed with amenities such as trailhead parking, signage, restrooms, and a smooth surface. The trail continues 177 miles east of the Columbia River but with minimal amenities so fewer people use the trail. Here, it passes across the rugged and serene Missoula Flood scablands to the Idaho border.
Representative Schmick's efforts to transfer ownership of 6000 acres of the Washington State lands of the John Wayne Trail to private landowners was done behind closed doors without public notification or hearing. The trail would be closed today if not for a typographical error, a technicality which nullified the legislation he introduced.
Schmick has now agreed to hold three public “listening meetings” in which to solicit public comment and opinion. He says he will consider introducing legislation to address concerns expressed by citizens in these meetings."
I'm not sure where the other meetings will be held.
Any idea of where one could send a letter (or several letters)?
I'm in Oregon, so not directly represented by Washington, but they do like tourism. And, now that I hear about the trail, I may have to try to make it up there next year.
I'm not into MTBs, but I've started investing in "gravel" bikes, and have started exploring off the beaten path.
And, my brother would be about 50 miles south of the trail. I could try to get him to send a note too.
11-10-15, 06:01 PM
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Back to the original premise of the thread.
Any idea of where one could send a letter (or several letters)?
I'm in Oregon, so not directly represented by Washington, but they do like tourism. And, now that I hear about the trail, I may have to try to make it up there next year.
I'm not into MTBs, but I've started investing in "gravel" bikes, and have started exploring off the beaten path.
And, my brother would be about 50 miles south of the trail. I could try to get him to send a note too.
Any idea of where one could send a letter (or several letters)?
I'm in Oregon, so not directly represented by Washington, but they do like tourism. And, now that I hear about the trail, I may have to try to make it up there next year.
I'm not into MTBs, but I've started investing in "gravel" bikes, and have started exploring off the beaten path.
And, my brother would be about 50 miles south of the trail. I could try to get him to send a note too.
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Sir Mark, Knight of Sufferlandria
Sir Mark, Knight of Sufferlandria
