Iron Horse State Park is located in Kittitas and King counties along I-90. The Lake Easton section begins at Cedar Falls near North Bend east to Thorp.

Acreage

On 66.5 miles of trail there is 1611.5 acres of land.

Acquired

In 1981-82, the State of Washington acquired quitclaim deed to 213 miles of the Milwaukee Road railroad and assigned administration responsibilities to the Department of Natural Resources. In 1984, 24.6 miles were transferred to Washington State Parks. In 1989, five additional parcels were acquired from private individuals. DNR transferred 5.9 miles to State Parks and 36 miles over Snoqualmie Pass were purchased from Burlington Northern by ATT then deeded to State Parks in exchange for easement rights.

Historical Background

The western section of the Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad was constructed between 1908 and 1912 and operated until 1980 when the railroad declared bankruptcy. The 66.5 miles managed by Lake Easton Area extends from Twin Falls near North Bend above the Snoqualmie River valley, through Snoqualmie Pass, east along the Yakima River valley through riparian woodlands, dry coniferous forest, broadleaf forest, and open agricultural lands to Thorp. Here it connects with the Kittitas section of Iron Horse. The trail elevation descends from 3100' to 1500', not in excess of a 2% grade.

Facilities

Thirty substantial trestles, 4 tunnels (one of which is 2.3 miles long), two snowsheds, 3 developed trailheads located at South Cle Elum, Easton, and a USFS area at Hyak. Easton trailhead has 2 vault toilets, 5 picnic tables, water, a loading ramp and a 21-vehicle parking lot.

Activities

Non-motorized recreation such as walking, bicycling, horseback riding and other horse related activities, cross country skiing, dogs sleds, and fishing.