Summary

The popular Trailhead Direct service will start its second route this weekend, beginning at Sound Transit’s Capitol Hill Link light rail station with service to Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe.

Story

The second Trailhead Direct route starts this weekend, offering service from Sound Transit’s Capitol Hill Link light rail station to Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe. There will be stops for customers in downtown Seattle and at the Eastgate and North Bend park-and-rides.

Beginning June 16, customers will be able to board a Trailhead Direct transit van at a free satellite parking lot in North Bend for a ride to the Mailbox Peak trailhead.

“We are connecting high-capacity transit to some of the most popular hiking trails in the Pacific Northwest,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “The seamless transit system we are building offers faster, more reliable commutes and convenient options to enjoy the best recreation our vibrant region has to offer.”

“We are lucky to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and Trailhead Direct helps connect our residents and visitors to our awesome outdoors. Trailhead Direct builds on our investments in the Seattle transit network, where we’ve improved the frequency and reliability on 64 other routes,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. “The new service from Capitol Hill to the Mount Si and Mount Tenneriffe trails is another example of our strong partnerships to provide more equitable access to the outdoors, so that everyone can go enjoy the beauty of the Northwest."

Trailhead Direct is a public-private partnership between King County Metro Transit, King County Parks, the Seattle Department of Transportation, REI Co-op, and Clif Bar and Company. The other partners include the cities of Issaquah and North Bend, the Issaquah Alps Trail Club, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, Outdoors For All Foundation, Si View Metropolitan Park District, The Mountaineers, The Wilderness Society, TOTAGO, U.S. Forest Service, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and Washington Trails Association. 

The first route started April 21, offering service from Sound Transit’s Mount Baker Link light rail station to multiple trailheads in the Issaquah Alps.

The second route starting this weekend will make the service convenient for Metro customers in downtown Seattle as well as hotel guests. 

Trailhead Direct was first launched in August 2017 as a pilot project sponsored by King County Metro’s Community Connections program and King County Parks to expand access to hiking trails and reduce trailhead congestion in the Issaquah Alps, where illegally parked vehicles created traffic hazards and safety concerns.

The weekend and holiday service operates 13-, 17-,19- and 27-seat transit vans with the capacity for two bicycles for each trip. Passengers pay Metro’s standard off-peak adult fare of $2.50 until July, 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 – 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

Trailhead Direct – Mailbox Peak

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

Relevant links

• Trailhead Direct
• VIDEO: Expanding the popular Trailead Direct service

Quotes

We are connecting high-capacity transit to some of the most popular hiking trails in the Pacific Northwest. The seamless transit system we are building offers faster, more reliable commutes and convenient options to enjoy the best recreation our vibrant region has to offer.

We are lucky to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and Trailhead Direct helps connect our residents and visitors to our awesome outdoors. Trailhead Direct builds on our investments in the Seattle transit network, where we’ve improved the frequency and reliability on 64 other routes. The new service from Capitol Hill to the Mount Si and Mount Tenneriffe trails is another example of our strong partnerships to provide more equitable access to the outdoors, so that everyone can go enjoy the beauty of the Northwest.

As a land steward, my agency manages some of the state's most-loved hiking trails in working forestland and conservation areas just outside Seattle. Providing access to opportunities like these — regardless of age, race and income bracket — is something we're deeply committed to at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and the partnership we see in Trailhead Direct is a big step in making that happen.

North Bend offers an impressive array of outdoor recreational opportunities – hiking, biking, beautiful trails and lakes for swimming, kayaking and fishing. As the weather turns nice, more and more people are drawn to our beautiful town, causing clogged roads near the trails. We are excited to partner with Trailhead Direct to be able to welcome everyone to enjoy our amenities while reducing the number of vehicles and lessening the impact on our community.

For more information, contact:

Chad Lewis, Executive Office, 206-263-1250