Snoqualmie Survey: Hiking Most Popular Activity

Hiking is the most popular recreational activity on lands in the Snoqualmie Corridor, according to the results of a new survey conducted by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Trail users weigh in on recreation in the Snoqualmie Corridor

Back in July, the DNR asked hikers and other recreationlists for input on how to manage 53,000 acres of DNR state trust lands and conservation areas in the Snoqualmie Corridor (which encompasses lands around Tiger Mountain, Rattlesnake Mountain, Mount Si, Little Si, Mailbox Peak and the Middle Fork Snoqualmie area.) See a map.

The survey gave people an opportunity to weigh in on how they use trails, what kinds of trails they use most and what they'd most like to see developed over the next 10-15 years.

Hiking most popular activity

When asked about recreational use in the last year and recreational opportunities people would like to see in the future, hiking stood out. Mountain biking, nature observation, camping, trail running, and snowshoeing also had a good showing.

• Respondents indicated that in the last year they participated most often in hiking, with 77 percent of
  respondents including hiking as one of their top 5 activities.
• When asked which 5 recreational opportunities respondents would most like to see provided [in the next 10-15 years], 78 percent of respondents included hiking, 48 percent included mountain biking, and 45 percent included camping. Trail running, snow shoeing, nature observation, rock climbing, fishing, and cross-country skiing were included by approximately 27 percent of respondents.
  
  

Shown in orange, 77% of survey respondents hiked in the Snoqualmie Corridor in the last year. Graph courtesy Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Types of trails favored by top trail users

The survey asked users which kinds of trails they were most interested in having developed.

• Hikers were most interested in moderate trail hiking (1-5 miles of diverse gradient) and advanced fitness hiking (more than 5 miles of diverse and steep gradients). Respondents wrote in that they were looking for views and peaks, summit hikes for training, trails for small children, dog-friendly trails, remote trails, and others.
• Trail runners were most interested in moderate trails. Some respondents wrote in that they consider hiking trails to be good for trail running.
• Most mountain bikers were interested in long cross-country style trails with long segments of up and down.
• Horseback riders preferred trails 3-10 miles long or trails longer than 10 miles.

Your survey response likely to shape trail and connector development

The survey also asked respondents about landscape connections they would most like to see developed over the next 10 to 15 years.

• Respondents were most interested in trail connections between DNR-managed lands and local communities, but they were also interested in underpasses and overpasses across I-90 for wildlife and multi-use trails.

The DNR conducted the survey as part of a recreation planning process that began earlier this year. The results will guide a citizen-based recreation planning committee as it works to improve recreation access and opportunities in the popular area.

If you took the survey, thank you for raising your voice for the future of trails.

> Read all the survey results [PDF].