Yelm–Rainier–Tenino Trail
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 line. The railroad track was operational beginning in 1869. 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.The trail was operational by 2005, with an additional stretch opened in April of that year. The span officially connected Tenino to the path.
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.
Route
The trail is a long paved path designated for use for cycling and walking; motorized use of the trail is prohibited. The trail runs parallel to State Route 507, at one point crossing the highway outside of Tenino; it is the only occurrence of the trail crossing SR 507.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. 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. Rainier straddles the trail approximately east of Tenino. The trail is mainly flat, with a combined elevation change of approximately over its course.
The trail is used by bicyclists participating in the annual Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic as they ride from Yelm to Tenino.