East Lake Sammamish Trail
Posted by: lahontan
N 47° 32.390 W 122° 02.339
10T E 572322 N 5265604
A legal battle that lasted years was finally resolved in 2005 allowing this 11 mile trail to be opened to the public in March of 2005.
Waymark Code: WMBWE
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 05/03/2006
Views: 71
The Redmond and Issaquah portions of the trail were completed approximately 2 years ago however residents of Sammamish whose property lay adjacent to the trail corridor kept completion tied up in court for years.
Burlington Northern, the last owners of the track between Redmond and Issaquah abandoned the track in 1998. The track and right-of-way was sold to King County's Land Conservancy for eventual conversion to trails.
In March of 2006 the Sammamish portion of the trail was completed. The opening of the entire 11 miles of trail along Lake Sammamish allows non-motorized recreationists the opportunity to travel from Issaquah to Seattle. Near the end of the 11 mile stretch in Redmond is the opportunity to connect to the Sammamish River trail in Marymoor Park. The Sammamish River trail connects to the Burke Gilman Trail in Kenmore where one can travel to the trails origin in Fremont. The ride from Issaquah to Fremont provides nearly 38 miles of trail.
The current trail is a crushed aggregate surface. Eventually the trail will be paved. I have ridden most of the length of this trail with my two young kids and they have enjoyed it. Portions of the trail are unique. Near the former town of Monohon the trail cuts through private property that seperates houses from the lake so you have the sense of riding through someones backyard.