Iron Horse State Park

The tunnel.
My husband and I wanted to find a fun place to bike– and I think we did. It was a warm, 80 degree summer day today, and we headed for the tunnel. As first timers, I wish we knew to bring jackets and a hat! Biking through the tunnel was so cold, and windy, my head was hurting by the end of the two miles!
We only had our iPhones– so we used the flashlight on the phone for light. Wish we knew to bring a helmet light or a bright flashlight, it’s very dark in that tunnel!
Drippings of water here and there, mountain bike or crossover recommended because of all the little rocks. After you get out of the tunnel on the other side, it is a Pacific Northwest paradise! Your on top of the world! Right when you get out there is a little waterfall to the right– we hiked down and snapped some photos! We also saw some beautiful blue birds with a big fan feather tail– that was awesome!
As you keep biking the views are pretty epic. You can stand on the edge of the mountain and see the steep downhill view. The views are just majestic!
Next time we might just bring a picnic basket and blanket! So beautiful, can’t wait to go back!

We had a great time. Driven by this place a hundred times never knew it was there. You do need a pass to park but no worries the sell them there by the restrooms .
The famous snoqualimie tunnel is a short walk, and worth it. Remember a jacket and a light. It is 2 miles long and is really cool. Try not to shine your light in another’s eyes. We cycled through and it took a bit to adjust our eyes as it is DARK and a light haze, asphalt and pebble ground where it’s wet, water does drip from the ceiling. We cycled another 2 miles, there is a trail head about a mile past the end of the tunnel called Annette Lake but bikes. Not allowed looked. Cool. We rode back through the tunnel and headed up the lake it is a wide rocky path easy to maneuver, we got caught on rain but it is the cascades. No worries though. We went all the way up to a bridge crossing at a place called Roaring creek it was awesome! I left my bike on the side and hiked up a trail to the falls and they were massive ! Odd though at the top of the falls is a cluster cabin area.
Then we rose back, easy and light fun over all a great 20 mile round trip experience.

It’s important to know that you will need a Discovery Pass to park in the big lot here ($ 10/​day or $ 30/​year). In the winter you’ll need a Sno-​Park pass (not sure price, which varies). The big attraction here is the old Snoqualmie Tunnel (the historic railroad tunnel of the Milwaukee Road). For railfans, this is a must-​see stop on your historical tour of the Milwaukee Road. The tunnel itself is two-​miles in length, recently renovated for safety reasons after being closed for a couple years (for safety reasons). To walk the tunnel, you’ll need a flashlight or headlamp and a jacket, sweater, or pullover. The tunnel is chilly inside, even on the hottest summer days. Spare flashlight batteries are not a bad idea. Walk to the right to avoid being run over by cyclers. Expect a few drips from the ceiling. The trail is very popular with bicyclists (like me) who start here and ride all the way, 22 miles, to Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend. It’s a great scenic ride and relatively easy. The trail is packed gravel so a bicycle with fat tires is recommended, cyclocross to mountain bike. A full-​suspension mountain bike would be overkill. If you go one way, which most folks do, you’ll need a car shuttle.
In the winter, this place turns into a Sno-​Park (need a pass). There’s a sled/​tubing hill that is extremely crowded in the winter time. No metal or wood-​type sleds allowed, although people still bring them. Be aware and keep an eye on the little ones as people blast down the hill. It’s a zoo, seriously. This is also the start of a cross-​country ski trail (Iron HorseTrail) that follows the old railroad grade east along Lake Keechelus. This is an excellent beginners ski trail, groomed tracks and nice and flat. There’s also a groomed skating lane next to the tracks. Snowshoe’ers, walkers, and dogs, please stay off the groomed trail. In the winter time on weekends, get here early. The lot fills up fast.

It’s a place to ride a bike or walk without dealing with cars. I’ve been here many times and I love it. The camp sites are well kept up and more importantly, so are the porta potties.
The tunnel has recently had some work done– gutters on both sides to drain water so it’s a drier experience now, but overly curious people have messed with the covering on these gutters and I advise sticking close to the middle of the tunnel to avoid falling on/​in the openings in the gutters.
Bring adequate lighting. It’s very dark in the tunnel. Oh, and don’t look at the light at the end of the tunnel or you’ll ruin your night vision :)

Quite possibly the only indoor hike in Washington, the Snoqualmie Tunnel is the best hike on a rainy day. Otherwise it’s a big non-​event. Lots of dripping walls.
This trail is best done on bicycle. Ten to fifteen minutes each way and your done. It’s 2.3 miles each way with zero elevation gain.
We used it as an easy hike since we were hiking with a less-​experienced person on this day. It was rainy and foggy and miserable and nearly a full month after the start of our 2011 Washington «Summer», so I wasn’t burdened with pangs of wanting to hike Mt. Si or some other more inclined and viewable trail.
Just off exit 54 on I-​90, this trailhead boasts the biggest parking lot and the cleanest, most modern bathrooms I’ve ever seen in any Washington State Park.
Two things that are an absolute necessity on ANY hike here; a flashlight and a jacket. Even on a hot day, it’s cold in the tunnel. And who doesn’t like wearing a headlamp.