Feedback: Trail must-haves: water, jacket, headlamp
Kera Knudsen
Start at the top and go down … Also go through the two-mile tunnel. It’s worth it.
Jack Flinn
Take drinking water and snacks. Buy a ticket for the uphill return trip. Take a jacket; it’s cold in the Taft tunnel.
Ric-Lori Bryant
Take more than one light for the tunnels. Spare bike parts and tools to fix things and someone who can fix it. Don’t be in a hurry.
Dez Duprie
Go through the Taft tunnel, 1.5 miles long in the dark, but worth it … Bring a good light for your helmet, the bigger and brighter the better … The views are amazing.
Sarajoy Van Boven
Bring lights … lots and lots and lots of lights. Also, if your kid is on a tagalong, make sure they can also balance, otherwise they will tilt you into the tunnel walls, which especially sucks if you didn’t bring enough light.
Terri Fossum
Don’t forget your cameras!
Alan Walker
Bring extra tire tubes, head lamps (required) and for some, a cushy seat.
Margaret Maggie Crabtree
Yes! The head lights and a front bike light are really good as well as layers, small snacks, and the bus ticket back up the hill!
Susan Mika-Reyes
Definitely a jacket and go early enough so you’re not rushed to finish.
Bernard Walters
It’s cold in the tunnel. You may want to bring a light coat if you get cold easily.
Cat House
In the first tunnel STAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAIL AT ALL COSTS!
Staci Sanborn
Wear padded shorts, bring gloves – it gets cold in the tunnels – and your camera
Crystal Utecht
Have a good headlamp! The tunnels are VERY dark with little water streams on both sides and even with a head lamp, it is hard to see but FUN! And don’t do strobe lights, very distracting.
Nadine Timm
Bring best lights possible for helmet and handlebars. Be prepared to get muddy … nylon pants or change of shorts if you get mud on your backside. Reserve your bus ride back up to the start. Bring lunch and water. Don’t hurry. Stop and read the history signs. Read “The Big Burn” by Tim Egan beforehand.
Linda Halbhuber Bennett
Such a wonderful bike ride – absolutely beautiful. Bring good headlamps, water, and snacks for yourselves. Do the downhill way first. The ride back up isn’t difficult but it makes for a longer day. The shuttle is a great option.
Lisa Burk
Make sure you dress warm for the mile-long tunnel as it is chilly and had many puddles and drips water from the ceiling. Be sure to have a good head lamp, or you will be on someone’s back tire for a mile in complete darkness.
Deannine Riahizadeh
Bring water, lunch, lots of bright lights, avoid the first tunnel, enjoy the ride down, take the bus back. Take lots of photos.
Joanna Muse
Ain’t no big deal, just bring water and a headlamp and don’t avoid the first tunnel. Wear padded bike shorts.
Vicki Leeper
Bring a really BIG flashlight and a train whistle. Be the first one in a tunnel. Surprise the next few who come in.
Steven Kimes
Ride back up when you get to the bottom
Robert Young
Ride down and take the bus back up!
Jean Zbaracki-Marsh
When going through the long tunnel have a good light and follow someone with a flashing red light on the back of their bike. Keep your eye on that red flashing light and you’ll make it through okay!
Donna Howard
Do it now! Wonderful experience and the whole family can participate.
Katharine McPherson
Inside the tunnels there is constant dripping water. Your clothes will be muddy all up the back unless you have fenders on your bike.
Nancy Jane
This is my favorite bike ride. Aim for at least 3 times a year. Beautiful!
Stephany Manning
Beware the first tunnel. It is everything they say it is. And it sucks bikers into its walls. Ouch!
Charlie Greenwood
If you’re up to it, ride up and down. Make a day of it. Take your time going up and stop and read the information boards and enjoy the scenery. It takes about four hours to go up, an hour to do the tunnel both ways, and about an hour to come down.
Barbara Jo Ransom Bolich
Take water. Seriously. A family had cans of pop for their kids last time I was there, no water. They were in trouble when we came across them.
Kathy Hannes Golden
The extra bike light is worth the price ($5, I think) especially in the tunnels.
Kelsi Rugo
I go at least once every summer! I would say bike the full 30 miles, up and down, at least once.
John Montanan
Tape a mag light to your top tube.
Lisa Wittmier
Butt cushions!
Mel Cardenas
Patch kit!
John Richter Jr.
Make sure your bike’s in good shape.
Debbie Carlson
Your butt will be covered in mud … (Take) an extra jacket or towel. And it’s COLD in those tunnels in the middle of summer. Yes, you need a jacket. The trip is rough on the butt & forearms if you don’t bike much. My advice … Pack a lunch & get OFF the bike & enjoy a picnic on one of the trestle bridges.
Teresa Vanairsdale
Wear warm clothing for the cold tunnels and don’t rely on a headlamp. You really need a high-powered bike light to penetrate that darkness.
Michelle Scheibner
Make sure you have a bright light or the tunnels are going to kick your butt.
Kelley Lauzon Lund
Go early, pack a lunch, Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy!