Tires

Having the right tires are crucial to this trip.  Street tires and wheels won't survive the constant beating and narrower tires will sink into the soft sand at the Yakima Training Center

Our Experience

We did a lot of research on what tires people used and the recommendations vary greatly.  We recommend that Scouts use Mountain Bikes with 2 inch or larger tires for this trail.  That said, we allowed experienced gravel riders to ride with 35mm or larger tires on their gravel bikes (supported rides with camp gear packed in SAG Wagon).

In 2025, we tackled this trail with a mix of tires.  Our primary leaders (Scout Lead and 2 Main Adult Leads) ran gravel bikes with 45mm and 50mm tubeless tires.  Scouts were told to select a Mountain Bike with 2 inch or larger tires

For Hyak to Rattlesnake Lake, we set a 32mm minimum size tire for a day trip.

Other Reports

Based on review of many trail reports, we found that many riders on Gravel Bike have completed it with tires as small as 35mm.  Other riders recommend tires 2.2" (55mm) or larger.  Some with 35s said it was fine.  Others with fat tires said some sections were too hard.

Amy Korver completed the entire trail on a touring bike with 35mm tires and 90 pounds of gear.  She recommends 2 inch tires. 

Chris Quast road the Yakima Training Center section on a road bike and recommends 40mm+ tires for an "enjoyable ride." 

Many riders have reported using 32mm tires.

• Cedar Falls to Hyak

  • Gravel Bikes with tires as small as 32mm will work 

    • Cascade Bike Club says 32mms are fine

      • cascade.org/rides-events/69978 

    • reddit.com/r/seattlebike/comments/1ejdbwy/comment/lgk23gd 

  • This guy did 32mm to Ellensburg 3 times; loose gravel around Cle Elum - but did fine

    • reddit.com/r/seattlebike/comments/1ejdbwy/comment/lhgqvt8 

• North Bend to Renslow 

  • 35mm tires without issue

    • reddit.com/r/seattlebike/comments/1ejdbwy/comment/lgd8088 

• Past Renslow

  • Many riders avoid Renslow to the Columbia, opting for Vantage Highway

    • Vantage Highway is north of I 90, paralleling it west-east

    • Vantage Highway converges with I90 in Vantage and takes you straight into Wanpum State Park

  • Renslow to River

    • Sandy but not too bad

    • 40mm+ should work fine

  • 35mm

    • Amy Korver

      • Completed entire trek with 90 pound loaded touring bike

      • Ran 35mm tires - recommends 2"+ tires for sandy sections 

      • cascade.org/news/2023/01/riding-across-wa-palouse-cascades-trail 

    • This guy said he did it with 35s "just fine'

      • reddit.com/r/seattlebike/comments/1ejdbwy/comment/lgdn4m4 

    • This guy did 35, but prefer wider east of renslow

      • reddit.com/r/seattlebike/comments/1ejdbwy/comment/lgduz96

  • 40-50mm

    • Chris Quast recommends 40mm+

      • youtube KOd4S92f0gM 

    • Steve Luten 42mm

      • youtube tRJ53x1Y89U 

      • Bikepacking with gravel bike

    • 650bx47 - East of Easton was loose gravel but did perfect

      • reddit.com/r/seattlebike/comments/1ejdbwy/comment/lge4qf4

  • 2.2" (55-56mm)

    • June 6, 2022 Palouse To Cascades Trail. Wrapup. Final Takeaways From The Ride

      • Maxxis Ikons in 27.5 x 2.2

        • "Somewhere between a 50mm and 2.3″ tire is really the perfect size for the trail"

        • "One could probably get away with a 45-47mm tire"

      • Orange Seal Endurance sealant, and no puncture