 East portal at Hyak in 2006 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Hyak, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°23′41″N 121°23′47″W / 47.3947°N 121.3963°W |
| Crosses | Cascade Range, near Snoqualmie Pass |
| Operation | |
| Work begun | 1912 |
| Opened | 1914, 110 years ago |
| Operator | Milwaukee Road |
| Character | Rail until 1980, now non-motorized trail |
| Technical | |
| Length | 2.2526 miles (3.625 km) |
| No. of tracks | Single |
| Track gauge | Standard |
| Electrified | Yes |
| Highest elevation | 2,600 feet (790 m) |
| Route map | |
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The Snoqualmie Tunnel is a former railroad tunnel near Snoqualmie Pass in the U.S. state of Washington, located east of Seattle. The tunnel crosses the Cascade Range about three miles (5 km) south of the pass, which is used by Interstate 90, on the border between King County and Kittitas County. It is 11,894 feet (2.253 mi; 3.625 km) long and is at an approximate elevation of 2,600 feet (790 m) above sea level, just north of Keechelus Lake.[1] Its east portal is at Hyak.
The tunnel was originally constructed for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in the early 1910s and was abandoned in 1980. It now serves as part of a rail trail in Iron Horse State Park, known officially as the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. The trail was formerly known as the John Wayne Pioneer Trail and commonly called the Iron Horse Trail.[2][3] A major renovation to the walls, ceiling, and path were completed in July 2011 after a two-year closure.[4][5]
- ^ Washington Geological Survey (1913). Bulletin - Washington Geological Survey, Issues 16-18. The Survey. p. 259. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ Johnston, Greg (August 27, 2008). "Rolling on the old Milwaukee rail line". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
- ^ Paul, Crystal (May 17, 2018). "Former John Wayne Pioneer Trail renamed Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ Dolstad, Mackenzie. "Grand Re-opening of Snoqualmie Pass Tunnel". Mountains to Sound Greenway. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
- ^ Mapes, Lynda V. (July 6, 2011). "Snoqualmie Tunnel gives cyclists, riders cool new link". Seattle Times. Retrieved January 8, 2017.