Redmond Powerline Trail

A suburban utility easement trail, the Redmond Powerline Trail offers nice views of the Sammamish Valley and Bear Creek watershed with links to many other local walking opportunities.

The western end of the trail starts just south of the large Overlake Christian Church complex and runs east, crossing the Sammamish Slough on a nice, new steel pedestrian bridge. Once across the slough, head briefly southeast along the Sammamish River for 200 feet, then pick the trail back up again and head east up the hill. At 1.1 miles, cross the busy Highway 202 at a signaled pedestrian crosswalk and continue up the hill. Follow the powerline easement over Education Hill, jogging north then back east, eventually crossing Avondale road at 3.3 miles. Don't miss the crossing of Bear Creek watching for spawning salmon or crayfish crawling around! Farrel McWhirter Park comes up in another half mile and makes an excellent access point. The established trail temporarily stops at the far northeast corner of the park.  

A 1.5 mile road walk is possible heading north up 196th, making a right (east) on NE 116th, another right on 206th (south) and a left (east) on 112th to get to where the Redmond Powerline Trail picks up again. While traffic volumes are lighter, there are no sidewalks, so caution is required.

Pick up the trail again at the end of 112th and head uphill along the powerline easement running into the Redmond Watershed Preserve in just a couple hundred yards. At the four-way trail intersection after entering the Preserve, south takes you to the watershed parking lot and facilities, north heads into the watershed and east continues along the Redmond Powerline Trail. The watershed makes a second excellent access point.

Directly following the four-way junction and continuing up hill, the trail makes a brief jog north into the forest, over a small creek and up a small hill. Be sure to continue east as north will take you farther into the Redmond Watershed Preserve. Continue east, passing the large underground water tank facility north of the trail and in another half mile you reach the Novelty Hill Road crossing and the end of the Powerline Trail. Do note, the tall fencing at this end does have a pedestrian and equine access gate.

WTA Pro Tip: On the eastern end, it is possible to continue into the Redmond Ridge trails, crossing Novelty Hill Road for views of a large bog area and access to Adair Creek, Nuthatch, and Kari's Bog trails. The west end hooks up to the brand new Redmond Central Connector trail following the old railroad grade south into and through downtown Redmond.