Transit Alert – Ride & hike: Trailhead Direct returns with more weekend service to more trailheads; connect to Issaquah Alps hiking trails starting 4/20

King County Metro Transit and Parks departments and the City of Seattle are partnering
again to bring Metro riders to area trails during the 2019 hiking season.

This Saturday, April 20, Trailhead Direct, seasonal weekend and holiday transit-to-trails
service, provided by a partnership between King County Metro Transit and Parks, and
the City of Seattle, will return with more routes connecting hikers with convenient transit
rides to popular trailheads.

In response to customer feedback from the 2018 season, King County added and
modified Trailhead Direct service to provide more trail access to more people, with new
routes and stops to create better connections and more hiking options that also now
provide hikers with opportunities to transfer from one Trailhead Direct route to another
at Eastgate, Issaquah or North Bend (see timetables for specific details and
connections).

Issaquah Alps service
Trailhead Direct – Issaquah Alps trails
Riding Trailhead Direct is a great way for weekend hikers to get to trailheads that
provide access to more than 150 miles of hiking trails in the Issaquah Alps.

Some of the trails in the Issaquah Alps area include:
- Margaret’s Way
- Chirico Trail / Poo Poo Point
- High School Trail
- East Sunset Way

Service days & times
Trailhead Direct service operates on Saturdays and Sundays, and on Memorial Day,
Monday, May 27; Independence Day, Thursday, July 4, and Labor Day, Monday,
September 2.

Issaquah Alps service operates about every 30 minutes from 7:44 AM to 2:34 PM from
the Mount Baker Transit Center, adjacent to the Mount Baker Link light rail station.

Returning from the Issaquah Transit Center, via the Issaquah Alps loop, it operates
about every 30 minutes between 10:05 AM and 6:02 PM.

Hikers are encouraged to plan so they don’t miss the last return trips.

Major stops and transfer points
Hikers who want to access these trails can ride regular Metro (or Link light rail for Mt
Baker) service to - or park, if applicable, at – the Mount Baker Transit Center, the
Eastgate Park and Ride or the Issaquah Transit Center.

For information about riding regularly scheduled bus service to connect with Trailhead
Direct service, visit Metro’s online Trip Planner or its Android or iOS mobile apps to find
out how to ride Metro routes
- 208 or 269 (on Saturdays), or 271 on any day, to the Issaquah Transit Center, or
- Sound Transit Express Route 554 to the Issaquah Transit Center.

At Issaquah Transit Center, Eastgate Freeway Station or North Bend Park and Ride,
hikers can also connect with other Trailhead Direct services.

Fares and how to pay
Riding Trailhead Direct costs the same as riding regular Metro service, including for
Youth, ORCA LIFT and RRFP cardholders. 

Payment of a valid fare is required for riders 6 and older, all regular transfer and fare
policies apply.  Up to four children through age 5 may ride free with a fare-paying adult.

Upon boarding, pay your fare with exact change, a convenient regional ORCA card
or an activated Transit GO mobile ticket.

FAQs
Visit Trailhead Direct’s FAQ page for information about planning your hike and what to
carry, safety, trail etiquette, biking and more.

Trailhead Direct – more service
In addition to Trailhead Direct - Issaquah Alps service, please also see information
about the revised Mount Si / Little Si route, the revised Mailbox Peak route and the
new Cougar Mountain route.

Information
For more information about Trailhead Direct, including FAQs, blog posts and sponsors,
visit kingcounty.gov/trailheaddirect.

For transit trip planning, including Trailhead Direct routes and regular transit service that
connects with them, visit Metro’s Puget Sound online regional trip planner.  When
planning Trailhead Direct trips, enter a weekend or holiday day/date in your query.

For assistance during business hours on weekdays, call Metro’s Customer Information
line at 206-553-3000.

For hiking and trail information, visit the Washington Trails Association website.

Thank you for riding and for using Metro’s services.