‘Take transit from Capitol Hill to Mount Si’

The second Trailhead Direct service starts this weekend.

The second Trailhead Direct route starts this weekend, offering service from Sound Transit’s Capitol Hill Link light rail station to Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe.

There will be stops for customers in downtown Seattle and at the Eastgate and North Bend park-and-rides.

Beginning June 16, customers will be able to board a Trailhead Direct transit van at a free satellite parking lot in North Bend for a ride to the Mailbox Peak trailhead.

“We are connecting high-capacity transit to some of the most popular hiking trails in the Pacific Northwest,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine in a press release. “The seamless transit system we are building offers faster, more reliable commutes and convenient options to enjoy the best recreation our vibrant region has to offer.”

“We are lucky to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and Trailhead Direct helps connect our residents and visitors to our awesome outdoors. Trailhead Direct builds on our investments in the Seattle transit network, where we’ve improved the frequency and reliability on 64 other routes,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan in a press release. “The new service from Capitol Hill to the Mount Si and Mount Tenneriffe trails is another example of our strong partnerships to provide more equitable access to the outdoors, so that everyone can go enjoy the beauty of the Northwest.”

Trailhead Direct is a public-private partnership between King County Metro Transit, King County Parks, the Seattle Department of Transportation, REI Co-op, and Clif Bar and Company. The other partners include the cities of Issaquah and North Bend, the Issaquah Alps Trail Club, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, Outdoors For All Foundation, Si View Metropolitan Park District, The Mountaineers, The Wilderness Society, TOTAGO, U.S. Forest Service, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and Washington Trails Association.

The first route started April 21, offering service from Sound Transit’s Mount Baker Link light rail station to multiple trailheads in the Issaquah Alps.

The second route starting this weekend will make the service convenient for Metro customers in downtown Seattle as well as hotel guests.

Trailhead Direct was first launched in August 2017 as a pilot project sponsored by King County Metro’s Community Connections program and King County Parks to expand access to hiking trails and reduce trailhead congestion in the Issaquah Alps, where illegally parked vehicles created traffic hazards and safety concerns.

The weekend and holiday service operates 13-, 17-, 19- and 27-seat transit vans with the capacity for two bicycles for each trip. Passengers pay Metro’s standard off-peak adult fare of $2.50 until July, 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.