Logistics

The devil is in the details.  The Palouse trail is remote, which plays a part it making it such a great adventure.  Remoteness also makes it more challenging to support.

Registration

• Renslow to the Columbia River

  • Trail runs through the Yakima Training Center, managed by the U.S Army

  • Trail users are required to self-register at one of the two trailheads at Renslow (west) or Doris (east)

• Beverly to the Idaho border

  • You must pre-register online

  • Registration may be requested to remain valid for up to one year

  • parks.wa.gov/passes-permits/permits/palouse-cascades-state-park-trail-registration

  • Groups of 20 or more must complete and mail in a hard copy permit with payment

    • Call (509) 337-6457

Closures:

• The Snoqualmie Tunnel at Hyak will closes for the winter at dusk on Oct. 31 and tentatively reopens in May

  • There are concerns of following ice in the tunnel 

• Bridges open and close for repairs

  • You need to check for updates all the up to the day of your trip

  • Be ready to detour if something is closed

Detours

• There are many detours, mostly on the east side of the Columbia River

• Some detours are optional, allowing you to avoid sandy sections or ride into town

• Many detours are mandatory and permanent or semi permanent

• Planners will need to review the route carefully, keep up to date on trail closures, keep on eye on the weather (to include fires) and be ready to change the routes while on the trail.

Heat

• Eastern Washington is known for its heat

• Plan for 80 degree temperatures and long riding days in fully exposed sun

• Temperatures can rise into the 100s

  • High temps are a real challenge for Scouts from Western Washington

  • High temps have ended adventures of many in the past

    • 100+ temps canceled Jared Morris' trip midway youtubei1Z7Xvs4EA8 

• If heat becomes and issue, consider

  • Starting route early in Seattle on Burk Gilman and ending trip before deep desert

  • Turn around after hitting desert and do a there and back trip

  • Ride early in the morning before the sun rises

  • Maybe divert from Ellensburg for a tubing trip on the Yakima River instead of riding another day into the desert

  • Use alternate route on peninsula or San Juan Islands

Winds

• Headwinds can be brutal if heading from east to west

• Winds are the main reason this trail is generally attempted from west to east

• Winds are often welcome as they cool you down

  • Not so welcome at camp

Wild Fires

• Fires have shut down parts of the trail in the past

  • Certain sections of the trail are still damages an impassible due to previous fires

  • Bridges have burned down

  • Entire communities are no longer inhabited

• These are unpredictable and is now a normal part of summer adventure planning

Camp Fires

• Nope

• Burn Ban - No fires permitted at any time.

• In the summer, the entire trails is a potential burn hazard 

Pace

• 7-9mph?

  • Mountaineers list 7mph going up to Hyak (easy road with 2% grade)

  • mountaineers.org/activities/activities/bikepack-palouse-to-cascades-trail-7 

• The trail is almost entirely on railroad grade gravel

• There is an ascent prior to Hyak, one in the Yakima training center and one towards the end of the ride east of the Columbia River

Water

• Water is a major concern for most of the Palouse Trail

• Most of the trail does NOT have access to natural water sources

  • A water filter is almost useless

  • You need to fill up at every campsite or purchase water at stores along the way

• Some of the trail (military base) has been treated with years to fire suppression chemicals

  • If you find open water there, you don't want to drink it

Bike Selection

• There are many styles of riding and many ways you can tackle the Palouse Trail

• A bike with 2+ inches tires is recommended

  • 40mm tires minimum if using a support vehicle

• MANY riders have completed the entire route on a fully loaded touring bike or gravel bike with tires as small as 35

  • Expect to sink into sandy spots - especially in the first part of the Yakima Training center on the last leg before the Columbia River

    • Larger tires will help to a point

    • If Yakima training center is churned up by horses, consider a detour

  • Some of the terrain east of the Columbia River will get pretty rocky and bumpy