On Friday the 13th, I rode up to Snoqualmie Pass.

The Snoqualmie Valley Rail Trail borders my neighborhood so it’s all gravel rail trail from that point all the way up to the Pass when the 2+ mile Hyak Tunnel is open as it was finally now for 2016…

About 6 miles up the Snoq. Valley Trail, I catch the Iron Horse Trail at Rattlesnake lake. Form here, it is about 30 miles to Hyak on the Eastern end of the Snoqualmie Pass ski areas.

The rail trail ascends gradually and is easily ridable on a road bike. Along the way you occasionally pass by other riders, walkers, runners, rock climbers and folks on horseback but for the most part, you’re alone - quite peaceful but not quiet with sounds of Interstate 90 traffic rising up from the valley below. If you use your imagination, it fades in the background as the sound of a waterfall :-)

You know you’re getting close to the entrance of the Hyak Tunnel when you pass by this snowshed. Looking back, you see Granite Mt. in the background.

Looking back at Granite Mt by NBend, on Flickr

The tunnel entrance some into view and looking left, you see I90 making a final push up to the pass below you with Denny Mt, home to the excellent Ski resort of Alpental standing high above the highway.

Denny Mt just before entering the Hyak Tunnel by NBend, on Flickr

I stop before entering the tunnel and put on a wind vest. A moist, cool wind is blowing out of the entrance. The vest is appreciated because you’re about to go underground for over two miles. I turn my headlight on and go in..

It takes the eyes a little getting used to riding in the dark, I’m a little wobbly until my eyes adjust. I see pinpricks of of moving light - it’s not the other end just yet but other riders and walkers approaching. Water drips from the ceiling sending chills down my body. You begin to see the other end of the tunnel after about a mile of riding…just a pinprick that slowly gets brighter. The wind becomes warm again when you reach the other side. The light at the end of the tunnel

The light at the end of the tunnel by NBend, on Flickr

I stop at the Hyak trailhead and take off my vest and let the sun warm me back up before riding up to get a beer at the DRUBRU brewery by the Summit West Snoqualmie Pass Ski Area.

Hyak Trailhead and Ski area by NBend, on Flickr

After replenishing my fluids, I order some food at the small coffee stand down the street and eat my Curry bowl al fresco in the sun.

After lunch, I ride west and explore Alpental Valley. I love this area, it holds for me some great memories of ski adventures. You ride up this narrow box canyon with Swiss style Chalets lining to road side. Snow still is deep in the shade and you get hit with sudden temperature changes as you pass by these tiny microclimates. I pull into the Alpental Ski Area parking lot. Riding across the bridge, I see the restaurant is closed in the lodge but the patio would make a great picnic spot for another time..

Alpental by NBend, on Flickr

I turn around and begin the ride back home. Rather than return via the same route, I decide to loop back by riding down the Old Snoqualmie Pass road - the pavement is in great shape and there are few cars.

The old Snoqualmie Pass road by NBend, on Flickr

The road passes by Denny Creek. Another place that holds special meaning to me. When I was little I asked my mom where I came from and she said “We found you under a log at Denny Creek”.

We used to camp and picnic here alot as a family growing up..

Denny Creek by NBend, on Flickr

The downside of riding down the old pass road is that it ends too soon and you have to ride on the I90 shoulder for several miles. The shoulder was relatively clean and because of the descent, over with quickly the exit to Tinkham Road. This is also part of the old Snoqualmie Pass road before the Interstate was built and it was known as the “Sunset Highway”.

The road follows the S. fork of the Snoqualmie River, parallel to I90 but very few cars use it. Great for riding! I ascend up to the Iron Horse Trail a few miles later and ride back down to Rattlesnake Lake.
There is a great Interpretive center located on the hillside above the lake. I like to stop here and listen to the rain drums and refill my water bottle before finishing up the ride.

At the interpretive Center by NBend, on Flickr

Rattlesnake Lake by NBend, on Flickr

It was a nice day, a perfect way to see how my ankle was healing - I had strained some tendons and muscles in it and had been off the bike for over a week icing it. It was a little sore but no swelling so alls good. I ended the ride at the Riverbend Cafe just outside my neighborhood with a cold beer on the patio.

Post ride refreshments by NBend, on Flickr

The best feature about this route is the fact I can do this right from my house in North Bend.
I was also thinking this would make a great C&V forum ride this summer. This could be accomplished either as a ride where we suttle up to Hyak and ride it one way or as an out n back

anyways, just musing. anyone interested?