Yelm–Rainier–Tenino Trail

Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail
Length14.5 miles (23.3 km)
LocationThurston County, Washington
Began construction1993
UseWalking, Hiking, Biking
Elevation change320 feet (98 m)
GradeFlat
DifficultyEasy to moderate
SightsMcIntosh Lake, Deschutes River
HazardsMultiple crossings of roadways
SurfacePaved

The Yelm–Rainier–Tenino Trail, formerly the Yelm–Tenino Trail, is a rail trail located in Thurston County, Washington, United States.

History

The trail, acquired by the county in 1993, has been constructed along the route of a former Burlington Northern Railroad (BNR) line.[1][2][3] The railroad track was operational beginning in 1869.[4] The section that became the Yelm–Rainier–Tenino Trail was originally named "The Prairie Line," but in 1986 the rail line from Yelm to Tenino was abandoned.[3]

The trail was operational by 2005, with an additional 7-mile (11 km) stretch opened in April of that year. The span officially connected Tenino to the path.[4]

The trail was renamed in late 2021. Previously the "Yelm–Tenino Trail", the name now incorporates the city of Rainier, which maintains a portion of the trail that bisects the area and the city's limits.[1]

Route

The trail is a 14.5-mile (23.3 km) long paved path designated for use for cycling and walking;[1] motorized use of the trail is prohibited.[4] The trail runs parallel to State Route 507 (SR 507), at one point crossing the highway outside of Tenino; it is the only occurrence of the trail crossing SR 507.[4]

From Tenino, heading east, the trail courses past the southern shore of McIntosh Lake, spans over the Deschutes River, and then intersects with the southern end of the Chehalis Western Trail in approximately 6.5 miles (10.5 km).[4] Trailheads are located at the trail termini in Yelm and at Tenino's City Park, with additional parking lots and entry points along the trail.[2] Rainier straddles the trail approximately 8.5-mile (13.7 km) east of Tenino.[5] The trail is mainly flat, with a combined elevation change of approximately 320 feet (98 m) over its course.[2][3]

The trail is used by bicyclists participating in the annual Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic as they ride from Yelm to Tenino.[6][7]

In 2024, the city of Tenino began plans to extend the trail through the community's downtown area, placing the western terminus near the intersection of Crowder Road and West Park Avenue.[8] The project was completed by 2026.[9] During the same year, the city of Yelm completed an extension of the trail over the Nisqually River with the eastern terminus shifted into Pierce County. Further plans are to connect the trail to the town of Roy.[10]

Artwork

A copper wind sculpture was installed at the Prairie Line Trailhead in Yelm at the end of 2023. Symbolizing a tree, the Santa Fe, New Mexico artwork known as Ponderosa was part of an initiative to begin a creative district in the community.[11] The following spring, a metal sculpture made of recycled argon cylinders used for welding was added to a trailhead cross-corner from Yelm City Park. The artwork, titled Centennial Bloom, was donated by a Centralia sculptor to the city in honor of Yelm's 2024 centennial. The sculpture depicts a cube metamorphosizing into a dodecahedron. The same artist also donated another metal sculpture displayed on the trail in Tenino.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Nisqually Valley News staff (November 16, 2021). "Yelm-Tenino Trail Gets New Name to Recognize Rainier". Nisqually Valley News. The Chronicle. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (April 20, 2015). Rail-Trails Washington & Oregon. Wilderness Press. pp. 25–27, 114–116. ISBN 9780899977942. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Pender, Jerica (November 12, 2021). "Day Trip Biking Yelm-Rainier Tenino-Trail-Scenic Take a Day Trip for a Family Bike Ride Along the Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail". Thurston Talk. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e Paulu, Tom (June 17, 2005). "Rails to trails". The Daily News. NewsBank 13CD6090A55C1E10. Retrieved January 26, 2026 – via NewsBank.
  5. ^ "Thurston County Bicycle Map". Thurston Regional Planning Council. 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  6. ^ "Yelm-Tenino Trail Closing for STP". Nisqually Valley News. July 14, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  7. ^ "Kaiser Permanente Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic presented by Alaska Airlines". Cascade Bicycle Club. 2024. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  8. ^ The Chronicle staff (February 12, 2024). "Tenino to expand park by 60 acres". The Chronicle. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  9. ^ "Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail Extension to Crowder Rd". Thurston County Public Works. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  10. ^ "Yelm's Nisqually River Pedestrian Bridge now open! Ribbon Cutting is March 25th, 3pm!". Yelm Community Blog. March 7, 2026. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  11. ^ Dimond, Jacob (December 19, 2023). "Yelm Arts Commission unveils 'Ponderosa' wind sculpture at head of Prairie Line Trail". Nisqually Valley News. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  12. ^ Dimond, Jacob (September 17, 2024). "Centralia artist's 'Centennial Bloom' sculpture placed at Yelm-Rainier-Tenino trailhead in honor of anniversary". The Chronicle. Retrieved September 26, 2024.

46°53′06″N 122°41′46″W / 46.884969°N 122.696099°W / 46.884969; -122.696099

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