Rode the trail on bikes instead of hiking so we could the Cle Elum to Thorp section for a total of just over 18 miles.
Trail was in good condition and the weather was perfect with blue skies and cool but not cold temperatures.
You’ll need to either to shuttle two cars or have at least one strong biker. We did the latter and parked a car at the Cle Elum trailhead and our party of four biked 7.5 miles together to have lunch at the Pondersa Campground. One member of our family then biked bike backed to the car to drive and meet us at the Thorp trailhead while the other three of us continued the 11+ miles to Thorp.
The scenery along the way is absolutely beautiful as the trail meanders along the river and goes from tall trees to flat farmland and wind turbines. You also get to go through two old trail tunnels, with one just long enough to need a headlamp.
Reunited in Thorp, our solo biker then biked the trail back to Cle Elum (and the extra 7 miles from there to Suncadia where we were staying) while the rest of us when for ice cream at the Thorp Fruit & Antique Mall.
Do note, if you bike the gravel is a bit deeper than other more western sections of the trail so wider tires or gravel bikes are best. Also make sure to pack gear for flats since we did have one along the way. Lastly, biking east is slightly downhill and a better option for our crew.
Enjoy!
Comments