The John Wayne Pioneer Trail

The John Wayne Pioneer Trail follows the route of the old Milwaukee Railroad, which runs East/West across the State of Washington. The State  purchased most of the  right-of-way for use as a non-motorized trail.

Heading east from Rattlesnake Lake near Seattle, the Trail edges its way up the Cascade mountains, traverses the range through a 2.3 mile long tunnel, winds along the edge of Lake Keechelus, passes through irrigated farmland and descends down a series of nine switchbacks to the Columbia River. The Trail continues east through wetlands, cattle ranches and scablands, ending in the Palouse wheat fields in the small town of Tekoa.  

The western segment of the Trail is in Iron Horse State Park.  There are marked trailheads, a well maintained surface, controlled access and good signage.  It is characterized by mountains, high trestles, irrigated farm land and high desert.  The eastern segment is administered by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and is more primitive.  The Trail crosses large pastures and open rangelands and bisects small ranching communities.  The Columbia river divides the two segments.

The Trail is open to all non-motorized uses.  Its gentle gravel surface is popular with cyclists, hikers, birders, horseback riders, teamsters and cross country skiers.  The western segment, which is closer to Seattle and more accessible, is more heavily used than the eastern segment.