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Washington's Ferry County Rail Trail

Posted 10/10/16 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Tourism , Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Washington

The trail's rocky tunnel is located on the northern end of the route | Photo by J. Foster Fanning courtesy Ferry County Rail Trail Partners

It sounds too good to be true. Northeast Washington’s Ferry County Rail Trail winds through a forested valley carved by the pristine Kettle River, passes through an otherworldly rock tunnel and crosses a 770-foot trestle that skims over a vast lake. Framed by mountains, the 25-mile trail is especially breathtaking this time of year, brightened with the golden hues of aspen, western larch and cottonwood. Every few miles, a quaint town welcomes visitors in a place so remote there’s not even a single stoplight in the whole county.

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Grand Teton Multi-use Pathway/Greater Yellowstone Trail, Wyoming | Photo by Camrin Dengel

Five Rail-Trails in America’s National Parks

Posted 08/11/16 by Suzanne Matyas in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Ecology and Environment, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Ohio, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

Rail-trails travel through some of America’s most iconic places—including our national parks, which officially turn 100 years old this year (Aug. 25)! On the eve of the U.S. National Park Service centennial, we thought it was a great time to bring you this list of five national park rail-trails, which dot the country’s landscapes from the Great Lakes to Western Washington. So lace up your shoes—and go explore!

Carbon River trestle along the Foothills Trail in western Washington | Photo by Gene Bisbee

Destination: Washington—Following the Foothills Trail

Posted 05/01/16 by Gene Bisbee in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Biking, Ecology and Environment, Featured Magazine Articles, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Destinations, Washington

There’s a spot on the Foothills Trail in western Washington where I always slow down. It’s not a sudden steep climb or dicey patch of gravel that causes me to feather my bike brakes on the outskirts of Orting. It’s the imposing and ever-changing view of glacier-capped Mount Rainier seemingly emerging at the end of the trail.

Photo courtesy Grant Montgomery | CC by 2.0

Notice: Upcoming Railroad Abandonment in Thurston County, Wash.

Posted 04/26/16 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Taking Action, Building Trails | Tagged with Abandonment Notices, Corridors and Railbanking, Washington

On or about April 21, 2016, BNSF Railway Company filed for the abandonment of 1.43 miles of track within Belmore in Thurston County, Washington. We are providing this information because it presents an opportunity to develop a real regional asset: a multi-use trail that can accommodate hikers, bikers, equestrians and other appropriate uses.

John Wayne Pioneer Trail | Photo courtesy TrailLink.com/Washington State DNR - Southeast Region

Update from the West: The John Wayne Trail Is Safe—for Now

Posted 01/22/16 by Laura Cohen in Taking Action, Policy | Tagged with Local Organizing, Overcoming Opposition, RTC in Action, Success Stories, Washington

You may be aware that longest rail-trail in the U.S. has been under fire lately, but we’ve got good news—at least for now—for John Wayne Pioneer Trail supporters. RTC learned that Rep. Schmick has decided to stop his effort to close the John Wayne.

John Wayne Pioneer Trail Tekoa Trestle | Photo courtesy AlbertaScrambler | CC by 2.0

Proposed Closure to John Wayne Pioneer Trail Stalled—For Now

Posted 10/09/15 by Laura Cohen in Taking Action, Policy | Tagged with Threats to Trail Building, Washington

Several weeks ago, Washington state representatives of District 9—Rep. Mary Dye and Rep. Joe Schmick—announced their intent to introduce legislation in January that would not only close a section of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, but give away the state-owned trail corridor to adjacent landowners. The section in question lies in eastern Washington, extending approximately 130 miles from Malden to the Columbia River. Here's the latest on this issue.

Deschutes River Trail | Photo by Russ Roco

Three Great Trails for Fly Fishing by Bike

Posted 07/17/15 by Russ Roca in Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Idaho, Oregon, Signage and Amenities, Trail Use Tips, Washington

The idea of bicycling and fishing isn’t exactly new, but it’s probably something many of us haven’t done since childhood. With the renewed interest in bike touring and bikepacking in America, there is no better time to pack a lightweight fly rod on your next adventure. Here are three trails, ranging from remote to urban, that pass through some awesome trout fisheries.

Photo CC King County Parks - Eli Brownell

Tunnel Vision: New Mural on the Burke-Gilman Trail Gives Tunnel a Facelift

Posted 07/18/14 by Katie Harris in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with Urban Pathways, Washington

Here’s a nice article from our friend Gene Bisbee, avid cyclist, author and man behind Washington State’s Biking Bis blog. In his post, "Colorful mural replaces drab walls of bike trail tunnel,” Bisbee gives an update on the Wayne Tunnel on the Burke-Gilman Trail in Seattle, Wash. Named to RTC’s Rail-Trail Hall of Fame, the Burke-Gilman is a cherished trail by Seattle residents and visitors alike, and this mural is a beautiful addition!

Photos © FreeWalkers

Promoting Walkability in America – From Coast to Coast

Posted 03/10/14 by Amy Kapp in Trail Use | Tagged with Local Organizing, New Jersey, Walkability and Bikeability, Washington

In America’s urban centers and rural areas, walkability is becoming a hot topic. Both the public and public leaders are recognizing the way in which pedestrian-friendly policies and infrastructure can help spur economic development, improve individual and community health, and make neighborhoods more livable.