Summary

The third Trailhead Direct route will offer transit service from North Bend to Mailbox Peak, reducing unsafe overcrowding at the parking lot for one of the most popular hiking trails in the state.

Story

Trailhead Direct – a public-private partnership co-led by King County Metro and King County Parks – will launch its third route this weekend, offering transit service from North Bend to one of the most popular trails in the Pacific Northwest, Mailbox Peak.

The newest transit-to-trails service will reduce unsafe overcrowding at the Mailbox Peak parking lot. Transit vans will depart every 20 minutes from a satellite lot in North Bend during weekends and holidays.

“We are making it safer and more convenient for hikers to explore one of the premier trails in our region,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Trailhead Direct is the latest example of the creative, customer-focused transit system we are building for the people of King County.”

The new service is expected to decrease the number of vehicles that illegally park along Southeast Middle Fork Road, which King County Roads recently paved and built new bridges, culverts, and guardrails.

Trailhead Direct launched its first two routes earlier this year, offering service from the Mount Baker Transit Center to the Issaquah Alps and from Sound Transit’s Capitol Hill Link light rail station to Mount Si.

The transit vans can haul two bicycles for each trip. Passengers pay Metro’s standard off-peak adult fare of $2.50 until July 1, when Metro implements a $2.75 flat fare. Passengers can pay with an ORCA card, Transit Go Mobile ticket, or cash.

Dogs may ride at the discretion of the operator under Metro’s guidelines. Passengers with larger, non-service dogs may need to pay to an additional fare.

Trailhead Direct – Mailbox Peak

Start and end point: Twin Falls Middle School: 46910 SE Middle Fork Rd, North Bend, WA 98045

Trailhead Direct – Mount Si

Start point: At the East Olive Way and Broadway East Metro bus stop across from the Sound Transit’s Capitol Hill Link Light Rail Station located at 140 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102

End point: At the East John Street and Broadway East Metro bus stop near Sound Transit’s Capitol Hill Link Light Rail Station located at 140 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102

Stops: Corner of East Pine Street and Bellevue Avenue in Seattle; corner of East Pine Street at 9th Avenue in Seattle; the Eastgate Freeway Station in Bellevue; and the North Bend Park & Ride

Trailheads: Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe

Trailhead Direct – Issaquah Alps

Start and end point: Mount Baker Transit Center: 2824 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144

Stops: Eastgate Freeway Station, Issaquah Transit Center

Trailheads: Margaret’s Way, Chirico Trail-Poo Poo Point, the High School Trail, and East Sunset Way 

Relevant links

• Trailhead Direct
• King County Metro Community Connections
• VIDEO: Connecting more people to King County's mountain forests

Quotes

We are making it safer and more convenient for hikers to explore one of the premier trails in our region. Trailhead Direct is the latest example of the creative, customer-focused transit system we are building for the people of King County.

It's incredible to see so much support and demand for getting outdoors at destinations like our Mailbox Peak hike. By creating connections to our publicly owned forestland — and creating memorable recreation experiences — we are building the next generation of public land stewards who will care for and protect these spaces.

Expanding Trailhead Direct service to the increasingly popular Mailbox Peak is an important milestone in the bigger story of making the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valley more easily and sustainably accessible for outdoor recreation. Bypassing the parking headaches with a quick round-trip shuttle ride will create a better hiking experience for everyone. We’re excited to kick off the summer season of outdoor exploration with another stop added on this direct route to nature.

Improving access to some of King County’s most beautiful hiking destinations is what Trailhead Direct is all about, and this service not only brings forests and mountains within reach to more people, but it can also help reduce congestion at some of our busiest trailheads.

For more information, contact:

Chad Lewis, Executive Office, 206-263-1250