Trailhead Direct – a public-private partnership co-led by King County Metro and King County Parks – will launch its third route this weekend, offering transit service from North Bend to one of the most popular trails in the Pacific Northwest, Mailbox Peak.
The newest transit-to-trails service will reduce unsafe overcrowding at the Mailbox Peak parking lot. Transit vans will depart every 20 minutes from a satellite lot in North Bend during weekends and holidays.
“We are making it safer and more convenient for hikers to explore one of the premier trails in our region,” said King County executive Dow Constantine in a press release. “Trailhead Direct is the latest example of the creative, customer-focused transit system we are building for the people of King County.”
The new service is expected to decrease the number of vehicles that illegally park along Southeast Middle Fork Road, which King County Roads recently paved and built new bridges, culverts, and guardrails.
Trailhead Direct launched its first two routes earlier this year, offering service from the Mount Baker Transit Center to the Issaquah Alps and from Sound Transit’s Capitol Hill Link light rail station to Mount Si.
The transit vans can haul two bicycles for each trip. Passengers pay Metro’s standard off-peak adult fare of $2.50 until July 1, when Metro implements a $2.75 flat fare. Passengers can pay with an ORCA card, Transit Go Mobile ticket, or cash.
Dogs may ride at the discretion of the operator under Metro’s guidelines. Passengers with larger, non-service dogs may need to pay to an additional fare.
Trailhead Direct – Mailbox Peak
- Start and end point: Twin Falls Middle School: 46910 SE Middle Fork Rd, North Bend, WA 98045
Trailhead Direct – Mount Si
- Start point: At the East Olive Way and Broadway East Metro bus stop across from the Sound Transit’s Capitol Hill Link Light Rail Station located at 140 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102
- End point: At the East John Street and Broadway East Metro bus stop near Sound Transit’s Capitol Hill Link Light Rail Station located at 140 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102
- Stops: Corner of East Pine Street and Bellevue Avenue in Seattle; corner of East Pine Street at 9th Avenue in Seattle; the Eastgate Freeway Station in Bellevue; and the North Bend Park & Ride
- Trailheads: Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe
Trailhead Direct – Issaquah Alps
- Start and end point: Mount Baker Transit Center: 2824 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
- Stops: Eastgate Freeway Station, Issaquah Transit Center
- Trailheads: Margaret’s Way, Chirico Trail-Poo Poo Point, the High School Trail, and East Sunset Way
