Walked the easternmost section of the Tolt Pipeline Trail this morning starting east of Duvall and heading until the very end where it reverts to the secure access road for the City of Seattle Public Utilities that runs up to the reservoir and treatment facility.  The trailhead for this section is right on NE Big Rock Rd about 2 miles southeast of the big Safeway grocery in Duvall.  The gravel lot has parking for about 20 cars.  No restroom facilities along this entire stretch.  This route is a simple out and back heading basically due east for a round trip of about 5.6 miles and a total gross vertical of just 498’ with much of that coming in a steep switchback just shy of the eastern terminus.  The trail remains typical utility corridor double track fine crushed gravel and dirt and there are no issues or blocking problems.  

Wildlife included a bunch of bunnies, lots of summer bird song plus one red tail hawk, a pair of turkey vultures circling high above plus what I believe was a single barred owl that darted out of the trees near the eastern terminus and afterwards what sounded like maybe a couple of owl chicks up from where the initial adult came (couldn’t see them.)   The cleared right of way has some nice meadows of daisy, buttercup and foxglove flowers.  Additionally there are a couple spots where the huge pipeline pipe runs above ground so you can see it which is pretty neat.  CC’s Ice cream & Espresso in Duvall makes a nice post walk snack or caffeine hit.  A relatively easy little walk if you are in the area. 

I set out to do the hike using transit. With a little additional walking, it is doable.

Access to the east end is via DART Route #224 (Redmond - Duvall). Because this bus runs only Monday-Friday, and there is about 1.5 hours or more between buses, it is best to build you plans around this schedule and start at the east end. The closest stop to the pipeline trail is at Trilogy Parkway NE and NE Novelty Hill Rd. To get to the trail, continue north on Trilogy Parkway NE for about 1.5 miles, then turn right on 232 Ave NE for about 0.5 miles. The closest cross street to the trail is NE Devon Way. (Unfortunately, there are no convenient stops on the W Snoqualmie Valley Rd.)

From the trail at 232nd Ave NE, there are beautiful views of the Snoqualmie Valley for the mile to the east, but the bulk of the trail is to the west for eleven miles.

The next place that the trail crosses a bus route is the #239 (Kirkland, Rose Hill, Totem Lake, Brickyard P&R, Bothell) 7.8 miles west, at 124th NE. This bus runs about every 30 minutes, seven days a week.

A mile west of 124th NE is the Brickyard P&R, which is served by #239 and #231 (Bothell, Brickyard, Juanita, Kirkland), hourly, seven days a week.

Though the pipeline trail official ends at 104th Ave NE, there are switchbacks and trail that lead down to Blyth Park. From there head west to 96th Ave NE, turn right and follow 96th to Hwy 522. Near the intersection are bus stops for Route #372 (Bothell, U-Dist), about every 15 minutes, seven days a week.

Completed one of my small goals this WED 01may2024 morning. The goal was to walk the "Tolt Pipeline Trail which spans 17.4 from Blyth Park near the Sammamish River Trail (Bothell) to Kelly Rd. NE (near Duvall)" .. for simple man me, simple joy 😊

~06:00, i was the 2nd to arrive and parked at the parking beside the TPT Trailhead (Cottage Lake WA). Cool mid-40s_F, and got sunny later. And OUT i went for my "8th-of-8" walk of the Tolt Pipeline Trail.

The "road link connectors" were road-shoulders. Luckily for me, the traffic was light. And the Drivers were kind and safe; when approaching me, they would swerve out and away, to keep clear from me. Thank y'all

Encountered total of 7 people (4 were walking, and 3 were cycling) and 2 dogs on the Tolt Pipeline Trail. Everyone was friendly and courteous 😀

Cheers!

Clocked: Distance ~2 mi of TPT and ~5.6 mi of "road link connectors", Total Time 2:31, Ascent 533 ft

Early TUE 30apr2024 morning, i went to Duvall WA for a walk; road link connectors and the ~2.5 miles section of the Tolt Pipeline Trail (between NE Big Rock Road and Kelly Road NE).

~06:15 i arrived and parked at (1). Cool 50s_F and partly sunny. My route: (1) > (2) > (3) > (4) > (1) > (5) > (1).

Light traffic on the roads and only ~10% of "road link connectors" were on Sidewalks.

Encountered total of 5 people and 2 dogs on the Tolt Pipeline Trail. Everyone was friendly and courteous 😀

Some bird singings in the woods. "Bonus" for me: the "Peak-a-boo" view of Mount Phelps (in the far distance) 😀

Saw the pipeline (as shown in Pic_1b). It's probably ~5 ft in Diameter. Anyone knows whether this is the "Tolt pipeline"? Please advise/comments - thanks!

Cheers!

MON 22apr2024, ~05:45 i was the 2nd to arrive and parked at the parking in the large parking area of the North Athletic Fields, Woodinville WA. When i got back, i noticed a few vehicles had arrived; 2x cyclists on the Sammamish River Trail.

OUT i went on a CCW_Loop via "road link connectors" for my ~1.5+ mi 1-Way walk of Tolt Pipeline Trail "on" Hollywood Hill, Woodinville WA. Had to turn-around and re-route at (X) cos of the "No Trespassing".

90%+ of the "road link connectors" were on road-shoulders. Luckily for me, the traffic was v light, and any vehicle approaching me would kindly swerved "out" to keep clear from me. Thank y'all 👍😊

Encountered total of ~10 people and 2 dogs during my 2+ hours of walk. Everyone was cheery and friendly .

Cheers!