I didn’t hike the Palouse to Cascades Trail today. I couldn’t get the site to accept my hike, so I chose the PTC because it was the closest thing to it. We hiked Charter Road, which is halfway between Cle Elum and South Cle Elum along the Yakima River. You access the road by turning right at the railroad tracks underneath the I-90 overpass. Be sure to follow the signals at the turn. You can soon park on the right at a wide turnout spot. This walk makes for a nice 3.5 mile round trip hike and you are along the wetlands the whole way.  This is a great wetlands hike. We see eagles, ospreys, ducks, beavers, herons and other wetland wildlife. Today we saw trees that had been cut down by the beavers, the beaver dam, and also a heron waiting in hunting mode and then flying off into the trees. On this little traveled road had only two cars go by today.

Did some poking around near Cle Elum and went down to the Bullfrog Rd (exit 80) entrance to the Palouse to Cascades Trail.

The road was plowed out to the trailhead, midday Sunday. It looks like it’s a popularish spot for snowshoeing/skiing (saw snowshoe tracks down the trail). Sno-park pass likely required along with a Discover Pass.

Most likely a good spot to go on a high avalanche risk day.

The Palouse to Cascades Trail (previously the Iron Horse/John Wayne Pioneer Trail) is a 285-mile rail trail spanning the state of Washington, from the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains to the Idaho border. The 18.5-mile section from Cle Elum to Thorp makes for a nice day bike ride or a pleasant one way or overnight hike/camp when the weather on the west side of the Cascades is inclement. The trailhead starts at the at the South Cle Elum railway depot and ends at the old railway siding at Thorp.  Parking areas with facilities are located adjacent to the Cle Elum depot and at the Thorp trailhead (Discover Pass needed). The tread is packed gravel all along the trail. The first several miles pass near some large homesteads on the outskirts of town and are mostly shaded.  At about mile 3.5 the trail approached the Yakima River, and two picnic areas (Turkey Gulch/Yakima River Overlook) provide a bit of rest with nice river views.  Elevation loss is minimal as the trail follows the upper Yakima River. At about mile 7.5 the Ponderosa Campground makes a nice midway point for a through hike or turnaround for a day hike. The trail along the Horseshoe Canyon is the most scenic and enjoyable part of the hike. A bit farther along two short tunnels (#47/#46) are a fun highlight. The remainder of the hike is a straight walk to the Thorp trailhead. After your hike, a short mile drive to the Thorp Fruit and Antique Mall off I-90 for a double dip ice cream cone or cold beverage is a great way to end your trip. 

The PTC Trail going west from South Cle Elum goes through forest, farms, and wetlands and is one of the nicest sections on the east slope. I usually go about 3 miles to the cool bridge over the Yakima or another mile to the Bullfrog mill. The trail is really getting more use than it used to and I saw 20 or more other hikers and cyclists today. It was a pleasant June day out there today. It’s a nice option if you’re looking for a flat ground hike where you can hike next to another hiker making  conversation easy. 

Rode the trail on bikes instead of hiking so we could the Cle Elum to Thorp section for a total of just over 18 miles.

Trail was in good condition and the weather was perfect with blue skies and cool but not cold temperatures. 

You’ll need to either to shuttle two cars or have at least one strong biker. We did the latter and parked a car at the Cle Elum trailhead and our party of four biked 7.5 miles together to have lunch at the Pondersa Campground. One member of our family then biked bike backed to the car to drive and meet us at the Thorp trailhead while the other three of us continued the 11+ miles to Thorp. 

The scenery along the way is absolutely beautiful as the trail meanders along the river and goes from tall trees to flat farmland and wind turbines. You also get to go through two old trail tunnels, with one just long enough to need a headlamp.

Reunited in Thorp, our solo biker then biked the trail back to Cle Elum (and the extra 7 miles from there to Suncadia where we were staying) while the rest of us when for ice cream at the Thorp Fruit & Antique Mall.

Do note, if you bike the gravel is a bit deeper than other more western sections of the trail so wider tires or gravel bikes are best. Also make sure to pack gear for flats since we did have one along the way. Lastly, biking east is slightly downhill and a better option for our crew.

Enjoy!