- Snoqualmie Tunnel
The Snoqualmie Tunnel is a mi to km|2.3
abandoned railroadtunnel atSnoqualmie Pass in Kittitas County Washington. The tunnel now serves as part of arail trail inIron Horse State Park . The trail is called the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, but sometimes also called the Iron Horse Trail.History
The tunnel was constructed from 1912-1914 by the
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad as part of its line fromChicago toSeattle . Electrification in 1917 eliminated smoke dissipation issues.In 1980 the railroad went
bankrupt and Washington state acquired the right-of-way for recreational use.Today the tunnel is part of the
Iron Horse State Park rails-to-trails project. It is closed between November 1st through early May due to ice formations.Directions
Leave
I-90 at exit #54, turn right at the exit, then turn left at thestop sign follow the signs leading toIron Horse State Park / Snoqualmie Tunnel and Keechelus Trail Head, then turn right before the Highway Maintenance area, then turn another right into the Trail Head parking lot.Gallery
References
* [http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Iron%20Horse Official Parks Site]
* [http://hyak.net/history.html Snoqualmie History]
* [http://www.mountainmojo.com/johnwaynetrail.htm Bicycle Trip Through the Tunnel]
* [http://www.americantrails.org/resources/railtrails/Tunnels.html Study of Tunnels on Rail Trails]
* [http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/snoqualm.htm Roadtrip America]
* [http://www.mountainstosound.com/pdfs/MTS%20Relay%20Mt%20Bike%20Guide.pdf Mountain To Sound]
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