Power Lines & Pipelines

Route Description

Take the light rail to the University of Washington station. (Bikes are welcome on the train.) Warm up with a long spin along Lake Washington on Seattle’s famous Burke-Gilman Trail. Continue beyond the northern end of the lake, now following the course of the Sammamish River. Pass near many famous wineries (including Washington’s largest, Chateau Ste. Michelle) and breweries. Tastings are available, perhaps best reserved for the return leg, as the course loops back onto itself here. (If you’d like to shorten the ride, you can access the route here, too.)

As you approach Redmond, turn off the trail and onto gravel roads used by power line maintenance crews. Since power lines run straight over hill and dale, the trail is steep in places, but the hills are short enough to walk, if necessary. A brief jaunt on paved backroads, past horses grazing on pastures, takes you around a deep ravine. Then you’re back on gravel. 

Leave the power line behind and turn into the Redmond Watershed Preserve. Traverse this beautiful forest on narrow (but non-technical) trails. Watch for horses and hikers here! Caution: Drain boards traverse the trail diagonally in places. In autumn, the boards can be hidden by fallen leaves.

Exit the forest and join another gravel road, following the Tolt Pipeline that brings drinking water to Seattle. This takes you back to the wineries and breweries (some of which have excellent food). Return the way you came, along the trail.

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