An annoying problem bothers a lot of hikers this time of year. They drive all the way out to a trailhead only to find there's nowhere to park.
"We would avoid this at all costs," said Arya Farahani, an experienced hiker who tries to stay away from Mount Si, one of Washington's busiest trails, on the weekends.
When it's warm and sunny, most spots are snatched up early in the day. Frustrated drivers take the risk of parking on the road leading to the trailhead. And yes, they do tow.
"It's an amazing place that I want other people to experience as well," said Luke Talbott, owner of Compass Outdoor Adventures.
Talbott saw an opportunity amid all of the congestion. For $5 a person, he'll pick up hikers at the North Bend Park and Ride lot and drop them off at the Mount Si, Little Si, and MountTenerife trailheads.
He worked with the city of North Bend, the Department of Natural Resources, and hiking groups to start the new service, which launched last weekend and will continue all summer.
"If you look around there's plenty of parking spots right here, so here you hop on the shuttle and you're there in 10 minutes and it's a piece of cake," he said from downtown North Bend on a recent weekend, when there was ample free parking.
More information on the new shuttle, click here.
