 Summary
Trips to the Issaquah Alps return for the seventh season of King County’s Trailhead Direct, the transit-to-trails service on summer weekends and holidays. The Issaquah Alps route and service to Mt. Si begin on Saturday, May 25.
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Trailhead Direct, King County’s transit-to-trails service, will begin its seventh season on Saturday, May 25. Trailhead Direct is operated by King County Metro in partnership with King County Parks, the Seattle Department of Transportation, and promotional support from Amazon.
This year, service will be provided to the Issaquah Alps in addition to the Mt. Si area, operating on weekends and holidays starting Memorial Day weekend through Sunday, September 15. The 2024 season will include service on Independence Day and Labor Day.
Trailhead Direct will provide service every 30 minutes from the Sound Transit Capitol Hill Link station to stops at trailheads near Mount Si, Mount Teneriffe, and Little Si. Hourly trips will start at the Mount Baker Transit Center and go to Margaret’s Way, Squak Mountain, Chirico Trail-Poo Poo Point, High School Trail, and East Sunset Way.
“The return of trips to the Issaquah Alps means there are now two great options to explore some of the best hiking King County has to offer,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Trailhead Direct is convenient, connecting people to the great outdoors without worrying about driving and parking. Grab your hiking gear and let us get you to your favorite trail.”
“Expanding access to Seattle’s extraordinary outdoors is incredibly important, and we’re excited to continue the City’s partnership with King County on Trailhead Direct service,” said City of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Time spent in nature is proven to support both physical and mental health, and nowhere does nature better than summer in the Pacific Northwest. This collaboration helps ensure that every resident and every visitor can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of our region’s trails, parks, and natural wonders.”
“Mount Si has over 100K hikers annually, making it easily the most popular hike in the State, and between Mount Si, Little Si and the Issaquah Alps our district holds some of the best outdoor spaces in King County,” said King County Councilmember Sarah Perry, representing District 3. “I love the Trailhead Direct program as it allows more people the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful outdoors that make our region so special in a way that also supports our climate and equity goals as a county. I am thrilled to see this very successful, expanded opportunity start again!”
Trailhead Direct launched in 2017 in response to overcrowding at popular trailhead parking lots that frequently exceed their capacity over spring, summer, and holiday weekends. The service has become a popular, eco-friendly way to get out of the city and explore the trails of King County.
Since launching, passengers have used Trailhead Direct for more than 78,500 hikes, including 11,400 in 2023.
“Metro is excited to be able to provide two routes to our local trail system and restore Issaquah Alps service, it’s a route that hikers have missed,” said Christina O’Claire, King County Metro mobility director. “The ability to provide a second run to these popular trails is a positive step in restoring services that were lost as our mobility system recovered from the challenges of the last few years.”
“As the result of this strong collaboration, Trailhead Direct is a proven service that gets people out on trails enjoying outdoor recreation in an environmentally-friendly, accessible way,” said Warren Jimenez, King County Parks director.
The Seattle Department of Transportation, SDOT, will provide funding generated by the voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure to support Trailhead Direct this summer.
“As a car-free Seattle resident, I'm thrilled about the Trailhead Direct program's expansion, offering more access to our stunning outdoor spaces. It's a testament to our commitment to inclusive mobility, ensuring everyone can enjoy our natural treasures,” said Gregg Spotts, SDOT director. “I'm proud to champion initiatives like Trailhead Direct, promoting equitable outdoor recreation for all.”
Trailhead Direct will operate with 14-to 32-seat vehicles and will have a rack for either two or three bikes. Passengers can use Trip Planner for more details about transit stops, routes, and schedules. Metro’s standard fares apply, and riders can pay with an ORCA card, Transit Go Mobile ticket, or cash with exact change. Hikers 18 and younger can ride Trailhead Direct for free.
Construction this summer may impact the Trailhead Direct stops along Madison Street. Hikers can sign up for email or text alerts about King County Metro service to keep track of potential service disruptions.
Passengers are encouraged to check for conditions and updates related to trail accessibility and restrictions before going out and to remember the rules of the trail to ensure a safe trip.
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