Bikepack - Palouse to Cascades Trail

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(NOTE THAT PRIORITY GOES TO STUDENTS OF THE 2026 COURSE. If not full, registration opens to one and all on May 15.)

Mellow ride on the very approachable Palouse to Cascades trail (the trail formerly-known as Iron Horse trail.) We'll be riding on a wide gravel road the whole trip, with pretty forgiving surface, and an easy average grade of 2 to 3%. Three cheers for rail-to-trail conversions! The fun twist is that we'll head out again after dinner to ride in the dark.

(Here's the ride report from the inaugural ride.)

[NOTE THAT THIS MIGHT CHANGE after i've scouted out the route. I'll edit this description and email participants with the final route details.)

The plan is to head for the Carter creek campground, set up camp, chillax, have dinner, then go for a postprandial digestive ride at sunset to enjoy a night ride under (I hope) the full moon.

If you haven't ridden much at night, and even more so, at night in the woods, it opens up a wonderfully different world: sounds are different, smells are different, shadows come alive -- a thrilling or meditative journey to experience. A full moon adds a fun facet to the trip: eery extended views are revealed, it's easier to pick out obstacles and find our way, and with a bit of luck, werewolves and witches might come ride along with us.

Just like the terrain, routing is not exactly very challenging: a couple easy turns to get from the parking lot to the P2C, follow the road, turn around, follow the road back. Done.

Taking into account the distance for the full round trip and the night riding which can be new to some, the trip is rated Medium-Rare (AKA Bikepacking Gravel II per The Mountaineers Clubwide Activity Standards for Bikepacking.) 

Make sure to check the Required Equipment tab below for a list of the gear needed -- a bit different for a night ride. Be ready for a cold night, and for a cold ride in the dark.

E-bikes are OK on this trip if you let leader know ahead of time, if you're confident you'll have enough range, but you'll have to hold yer horses and ride (carefully) with the rest of the group. We might make you carry our extra luggage.

Weather forecast for Hyak

Moon schedule at Snoqualmie pass

TBD -- with the washout on the Palouse to Cascade, we can't start from the traditional Rattlesnake lake/Cedar Fall trailhead. We'll likely start from Cle Ellum or Lake Easton: i'll go scout out the route before May and will update this info.

Typical Trail chat at 12:45, feet on the pedals at 1PM. Make sure to schedule enough time to pack and load your bike.

Camping fee is $12: bring cash or a check to feed the box at the campsite.

NOTE THAT IF OK WITH PARTICIPANTS, THE DATE MIGHT POSSIBLY SHIFT ONE DAY IF THE WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE OVERNIGHT IS TOO IFFY. The main idea is to ride under the full moon, a cloudy sky would take away some of the fun.