Detailed Descriptions of Trail Sections

John Wayne Pioneer Trail (last edit 03-07-2016)
This information was compiled in 2016 using information from WSP, WDNR, USFS, blogs and mapping software. For bicyclists riding East of Ellensburg it is recommended that tires be at least 2" or wider due to sand/rocks and filled with a sealant because of goatheads. User assumes all risk when using as information may be inaccurate or not up to date. For questions, concerns, comments contact skinnyhiker2000@yahoo.com.

The John Wayne Pioneer Trail with Current 2016 detours is 322 miles. The West Terminus is Rattlesnake Lake near Snoqualmie Pass and the East Terminus is the Idaho Border near the town of Tekoa. Accessing the Western Terminus can be done via vehicle or riding a bike from Seattle(Train) or Issaquah(Car Rental) using mainly bike routes that can be found on Ride with GPS. The Eastern Terminus is slightly less convenient as the nearest towns with Transportation are Pullman(50 miles South) or Spokane(50 miles North). Investigating if there are any private shuttles in the Tekoa area or good bike routes. The current official route with official detours is mapped with available gps files.

Rattlesnake Lk to Columbia River (112 miles) is managed by the Washington Iron Horse State Park This section is managed by WSP and is a well developed trail all the way to Kittitas. It appears to have lots of camping and water opportunities. East of Kittitas it enters military area with sand/gravel surfaces. A self registration permit is at trail for the military area. A detour North to Vantage is required as the bridge over the Columbia River is closed for safety reasons. Contact WDOT to let them know that a safe crossing is needed, as I90 is not safe.
Rattlesnake Lk to Kittitas (82 miles) appears to provide ample camping, water and resupply. Per Lake Easton Ranger station there are self pay stations at small camping areas along trail. So carry some cash. Estimate is $12 per night.
Kittitas to Vantage (30 miles) there is almost no camping or water as it passes thru the Yakima Training Center. A self registration is required at the Army West Trailhead when entering YTC. Westbounders registration at Doris trailhead. Dry camping may be allowed at the self registration area with prior permission from YTC(509-577-3337). As of Feb 2016 they are not allowing camping at the trailheads due to increased military activity. Also check the website or call prior to trip as maintenance work that is yet to be schedule for 2016 may result in temporary closure of trail. http://www.lewis-mcchord.army.mil/yakima/otherdocs/JWT_Policy.pdf Travelers are to remain on the trail as this is an active military area. About 5 miles into this section the JWPT goes thru the officially closed Boylston tunnel, but many ride thru it. There is an alternate route starting to the south of the tunnel at the west entrance. The trail swings over the tunnel descending back to trail on the north side. At the Columbia near Doris a detour up to Vantage is required as trestle is closed due to fire. There is camping just before and in Vantage.
Columbia River to Idaho Border (210 miles) is managed by Washington Dept Nat Resources & Lewis & Clark Trail Wa State park Eastern Washington WDNR and WSP require permits to use the JWPT. While the permits are simple once you figure out who to contact, they prevent people from visiting these public lands on the fly as part of a day trip. A permit is typically good for a whole year. Additionally the trail is day use only and camping is officially not allowed. However, there are small sections of WDNR trust lands adjoining the trail and in most cases it is legal to camp there. Note that there are some landowners that do not support the trail so its not recommended to access private property. Additionally many small towns allow cyclists to camp in their parks for free or a small fee. Remember to be a gracious guest in these towns so that it is not ruined for others. While these areas may be rural, remember to be safe. Lock your bike when unattended, camp away from roads,etc... Eastern Washington is dry and many of the water sources are seasonal or affected by agriculture/industry, for this reason it is recommended to fill up at the towns when possible.

WDNR Permit for Beverly to Lind: 509-925-0973 michael.williams@dnr.wa.gov

WSP Permit for Lind to Idaho: 509-337-6457 clara.dickinson-mcquary@parks.wa.gov

Vantage to Beverly (10 miles) is on extremely dangerous interstate 90 and Hwy 243 including about 2 miles on I90 bridge with no shoulder. Those that have braved it say it is the scariest ride and say to find a way to get a shuttle from Vantage to Beverly and DO NOT RIDE this section. Reach out to JWPT community via Facebook to arrange a shuttle or ask folks at the gas station. If you choose to ride then be careful and choose a time of day when traffic may be light. Some cyclist have placed road flares at beginning of bridge to signal caution on bridge. At Beverley fill up with water at the gas station as water is limited ahead.

Beverley to Othello (37 miles) follows the old railbed or parallel road for 29 miles. The last 8 miles is on Hwy 26. Ltd water & camping. Just outside of Beverly there are some lakes, ORV park and state lands where camping can be found. Once in Othello there are hotels, but no identified camping opportunities.

Othello to Warden (18 miles) Detour onto paved roads as railbed still has tracks(not ridable), dirt roads along irrigation is a possible option. No water or camping in this section. In Warden meals and food can be found. http://www.cityofwarden.org/ It is unknown if there is any camping allowed in the town.

Warden to Lind (22 miles) JWPT returns to railbed and follows into Lind where it crosses thru some WDNR land where camping may be found. In Lind there is a store and Bar/Grill. On the second weekend of June Lind host the Combine Demolition Derby. http://www.lindwa.com/

Lind to Ralsten (18 miles) JWPT

Ralsten to Ritzville (10 miles) At Ralsten the Trail is detoured onto paved roads thru Ritzville. This is due to a missing Trestle, steep drop and no through access to rail corridor without adjoining landowner conflict (trespassing). If you choose to explore the official trail in this area be aware of goatheads. There is a shorter gravel option bypassing Ritzville and shaving 6 miles off and minimizing paved road to 7 miles. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/11948197
Ritzville to Hwy23 Ewan (40 miles) Continues the Detour on paved roads for 15 more miles around the Cow Creek area where it will join up with the railbed just east of the missing Trestle in Marengo. The JWPT intersects the Columbia Plateau Trail about 10 miles after rejoining the railbed. For the next 3 miles after CPT the land to the South is Federal. After continuing thru a small private piece of land the trail will enter the Northern edge of the Revere Wildlife Area that is run by the WDFW. Officially it appears there is no camping in this 3 miles section. Some nice "break" spots may be found including seasonal creeks and springs. (http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/revere/)  The last mile or so to Ewan is on Private land and as of 3-7-2016 WS Parks says that the permit doesn't include this access. Separate permission from the land owner is required. There are two possible road detours, one northside and one southside. Contact for land owner will be posted as it is made available. Once in Ewan there are no services, however the town of St Johns is about 7 miles south of Ewan on Hwy23 where lodging, services and according to some locals possible camping can be found. http://www.stjohnwa.com/

Hwy23 Ewan to Malden (21 miles) At Hwy23 JWPT is detoured onto rural roads for 16 miles as 2 miles along Rock Lake are on Private Land and access is not currently available for through travel. Rock Lake Public Boat Launch may have a toilet but has no camping. The Town of Malden is a small community that has provided support to the JWPT annual cross state trip. Camping is permitted in City Park/City Hall and has water. There is NO public restroom, however if you call the number posted the Mayor will open up City Hall for a shower and to use toilets(small donation appreciated). There are currently no other services in town.

Malden to Rosalia (10 miles) The route detours thru Rosalia due to removed trestle. Camping and Showers can be found at the city park/pool. The town has services. Battle Days happens first weekend in June and includes multiple activities. http://www.rosaliachamber.com/

Rosalia to Tekoa (20 miles) JWPT returns to railbed at south end of Rosalia and continues until about a mile outside Tekoa where it detours onto roads north of railbed. Trestle is currently closed. Once in town the trail rejoins the railbed. The town has services and will openly welcome JWPT users. Slippery Gulch Days is held the third weekend in June. http://tekoawa.com/

Tekoa to Idaho Border (5 miles) JWPT ends officially at border with road access. Best option is to return to Tekoa and seek services there. No official shuttle services are identified at this time. However this community has rallied in support of the trail and locals should be able to provide assistance. Contact Tekoa Town Council or the Trestle Association or via https://www.facebook.com/groups/tekoatrailandtrestle/
B=Bikeshop, C=Camping, G=Groceries, L=Lodging, M=Meals, sh=Showers, T=Toilet, w=Water, m=miles, $=Fee, ?=Unknown, Needs confirmation, N=North, S=South, E=East, W=West

Description                                                          W->E miles         E->W miles

  • Rattlesnake Lake        (W Terminus) 0 322 w,T
  • Alice Creek Campsite 10.1 311.9 C$,T IHSP small campground
  • Carter Creek Campsite 13.1 308.9 C$,T IHSP small campground
  • Hyak Lodge 21.3 300.7 T,w, GLM1mN,
  • Cold Creek Campsite 23.1 298.9 C$,T IHSP small campground
  • Roaring Creek Campsite 26.3 295.7 C$,T IHSP small campground
  • Crystal Springs Campground 29.2 292.8 C$Tw 1mN USFS Campground
  • Easton State Park 38.6 283.4 C$,T,w,L,M,G State Park
  • Cle Elum 50.7 271.3 BC$GLMshTw 1.5mN Medium Town
  • Eagle Valley Campground 53.5 268.5 C$wshT 1mS Private RV park
  • Thorp 69.3 252.7 w,G,T Convience Store
  • Ellensburg 76.5 245.5 BC$GLMshTw 1.5mN Large Town
  • Kittitas (Last Water til Vantage) 82.5 239.5 G,M,T,w Small Town
  • Army West Horse Camp 88.7 233.3 C?,T? Self registration for JWPT Eastbound at Trailhead
  • Doris Rd (Detour to Vantage) 107 215 C? Self registration for JWPT Westbound at Trailhead
  • Wanapum Recreation Area 110 212 C$,sh,T,w State Park
  • Vantage 112 210 C$LGMshTw .5mN Small Town, Caution riding I90 over the Columbia River
  • Beverly 122 200 W?G? 1mS 76 gas station, hrs 7-8
  • Nunnally Lake 123.1 198.9 CTw .5mN Treat water
  • Beverly Dunes ORV park 123.6 198.4 CT .5mS Dry Camp
  • Lake Lenice 126.7 195.3 CTw .5mN Treat water
  • DNR Trust Land N & S of Trail 130.2 191.8 C? Camp on DNR land along Crab Creek
  • DNR Trust Land South of Trail 136.7 185.3 C? Dry Camp possible on DNR land
  • Othello 158.7 163.3 LGMTw 1mN Large Town (possible alt to Warden along irrigation)
  • Warden 176.8 145.2 G,M,T,w Small Town
  • DNR Trust Land N & S of Trail 181.9 140.1 C? Dry Camp possible on DNR land
  • DNR Trust Land N & S of Trail 192.1 129.9 C? Dry Camp possible on DNR land
  • Lind 199.2 122.8 C?G,M,T,w Small Town, ?Camping in Park?
  • DNR Trust Land N & S of Trail 203.7 118.3 C? Dry Camp possible on DNR land
  • Ralston 217.1 104.9         W?G? 1mS ?water at Heritage Marker/Park (good break area)
  • Ritzville 226.6 95.4 G,L,M,T,w Medium Town
  • DNR Trust Land N & S of Trail 250.2 71.8 C? Dry Camp possible on DNR land
  • Columbia Plateau Trail 251.3 70.7 South to Kennewick, North to Cheney/Spokane
  • Hwy 23 to St John (5mS) 266.6 55.4 C$GMLshTw 5mS Small Town, Camping at Fairgrounds?
  • Malden 287.2 34.8 C,w Soda machine, water & camping at park, no public toilets
  • Rosalia 297 25 C$,G,M,sh,T,w Small Town, C$ camping at City Park
  • Tekoa 316.7                       5.3 C,G,M,T,w Small Town that supports JWPT
  • Idaho Boarder (E Terminus) 322 0 No services
References
http://26inchslicks.blogspot.com/2012/06/crossing-washington-state-on-john-wayne.html 2012 blog of cross state bike ride

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJSWW4ILw-U 2013 video of cross state bike ride

http://fernwehnw.com/2015/11/17/john-wayne-pioneer-trail-route-planning-info/ 2015 blog of cross state bike ride

https://vimeo.com/151952876 2015 video of cross state bike ride

http://www.lewis-mcchord.army.mil/yakima/otherdocs/ Yakima Training Center web page

http://savethejohnwaynetrail.com/ Tekoa Trail & Trestle Association

http://www.jwpwr.org/ John Wayne Pioneer and Riders Assoc.

http://publiclandsinventory.wa.gov/#Map WA public lands inventory

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