King County's popular shuttle-bus service from Seattle to hiking trails in the Issaquah Alps returns in April, with expanded service to more trailheads, including Mount Si, from additional locations in Seattle.
Starting April 21, the shuttle service, called Trailhead Direct, provides weekend and holiday service every 30 minutes at the Mount Baker Transit Station in South Seattle. A second route launches May 19 to Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe at Sound Transit's Capitol Hill Link light rail station.
The transit shuttles run a loop between the Issaquah Transit Center (where there’s plenty of parking), Margaret’s Way trailhead, Poo Poo Point trailhead, and East Sunset Way trailhead.
The shuttles departing the Capitol Hill Link Light Rail Station run to Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe in North Bend.
Trailhead Direct was first launched in August 2017 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 cars created problems.
The shuttle service utilizes 19 and 27-seat vans with 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.
Trailhead Direct – Issaquah Alps
Service begins: Saturday, April 21
Start and end point: Mount Baker Transit Center: Rainier Avenue South and South Forest Street, Seattle, WA 98144
Stops: Eastgate Freeway Station, Issaquah Transit Center
Trailheads: Margaret’s Way, Chirico Trail-Poo Poo Point, the High School Trail, and East Sunset Way
Trailhead Direct – Mount Si/Mount Teneriffe
Service begins: Saturday, May 19
Start and end point: Sound Transit’s Capitol Hill Link Light Rail Station: 140 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102
Stops: Broadway and John Street in Seattle, Pine Street and Ninth Avenue in Seattle, Eastgate Freeway Station, North Bend Park & Ride
Trailheads: Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe in North Bend
