Coal Mines Trail Sign Installation – 10/29

Help share the story of Upper Kittitas' mining history and the many communities who strove to build life and opportunity in this region! Join the Greenway Trust and our partners at the Roslyn Ronald Cle Elum Heritage Club as we install brand new interpretive signs along the 4.7 mile Coal Mines Trail. After 2 years researching, writing, and designing, we are excited to finally bring this story to the community and its visitors, but we need extra hands to make the ribbon-cutting deadline!

Please wear close toed shoes, long pants, and weather-appropriate layers. PPE and tools will be provided.

Meet at Alliance Road.

We will break into groups to tackle different trail sections with leads from the Greenway and RRCHC

The Coal Mines Trail follows the route of a branch line from the Northern Pacific Railroad, constructed in 1886-1887. The railroad carried coal and passengers from the mining towns of Ronald and Roslyn to Cle Elum. Coal was used to power steam trains headed up to Snoqualmie Pass on the Milwaukee Road railway, and later to run the Cle Elum substation for the electrified Milwaukee Road. The Coal Mines trail is now a well-maintained 4.7-mile path for hikers, bikers, equestrians and, during the winter months, snowmobiles. Along the way, travelers can see old slag piles, where mining waste was discarded, as well as several fan houses used to ventilate mines. The Greenway Trust helped local communities purchase the trail corridor.