First People

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March 10, 2023
Post by Shenise Ramirez, Communications Coordinator
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Women have been at the forefront of wildlife, cultural, and environmental conservation efforts in Washington State for many years. From preserving native languages and cultural heritage to protecting salmon habitat and advocating for more inclusive research practices, these women have made historic contributions to these fields. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s essential...

January 3, 2022
Information provided by Sadie Thayer, Museum Director, Kittitas Historical Museum
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Visitors to Roslyn, Washington might be there to check out the Roslyn Café, famed for its appearance on the cult hit Northern Exposure; to wander the downtown area; or to explore the many recreational activities it offers, either on bike or on foot. Nestled just a few blocks away is the Roslyn Cemetery, where...

December 9, 2021
Nicky Pasi, Upper Yakima Community Coordinator
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In September of 2020, the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust partnered with the Cle Elum Ranger District and the Cascadian Log School to save a historic picnic shelter at Salmon la Sac campground from demolition. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1936, the picnic shelter was dangerously worn down by 84 years...

November 29, 2021
Katie Egresi, Communications Manager
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The COVID-19 pandemic has created adversity and uncertainty over the last year and a half, impacting nearly every aspect of life. It has also yielded valuable lessons in resilience. Through all of the trials and tribulations, a few constants kept us grounded: the Greenway NHA landscape that offered outdoor respite for so many of...

November 17, 2021
Amy Brockhaus, Deputy Director
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Imagine the sound of three floors of machinery, of massive gears and pulleys and canvas conveyor belts operating at full speed, turning grain into flour.   The Thorp Grist Mill is the oldest industrial artifact in Kittitas County and includes a remarkable collection of handmade wooden mill equipment. From 1883 to 1946, the mill produced flour and livestock...

March 5, 2021
Guest blog written by local historian John W. Lundin
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Between 1930 and 1941, The Mountaineers sponsored Patrol Races, a back-country event described as 18 or 20 miles long on the crest of the Cascades between its Snoqualmie Pass Lodge and Meany Ski Hut at Martin near Stampede Pass. Three-man Patrol teams competed in what the Seattle Times called “the nation’s longest and hardest...

February 19, 2021
Guest blog written by local historian John W. Lundin
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Although ski jumping in Washington is a distant memory these days, it was the most popular form of skiing in the sport’s early days. The Mountains to Sound Greenway corridor contains several ski jumping sites that were important parts of the country’s tournament circuit, where the world’s best jumpers competed, national distance records were...

February 16, 2021
Guest post by Cristy Lake, Northwest Railway Museum
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The Northwest Railway Museum is located in the beautiful Snoqualmie Valley, which is a vital part of the new Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area. This Congressional designation recognizes this corridor’s rich natural and cultural heritage, which is particularly valued for wildlife migration, fish passage, incredible geography, and human travel. The Museum is...

February 9, 2021
Amy Brockhaus, Deputy Director
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The King County Council announced today that the parks in Preston will be renamed to honor regional conservation hero Jim Ellis, a storied civic leader and founder of the Mountains to Sound Greenway. Preston Mill Park, the Preston Athletic fields visible from Interstate 90 exit 22, and the already-renamed Jim Ellis Preston Community Center...