Mountains to Sound Greenway

The Mountains to Sound Greenway is the spectacular landscape surrounding Interstate 90, from the shores of Puget Sound in Seattle, through the upper Snoqualmie Valley, over Snoqualmie Pass, and into Central Washington. Much of the Greenway is public land, including more than 800,000 acres held by local, state, and federal agencies in trust for the public good.

Protection

The Mountains to Sound Greenway encompasses protected and working forests, farms, historic towns, lakes, campgrounds, rivers, trails, and wildlife habitat just outside of Seattle. It embodies one of the most successful land conservation programs in the United States with:

  • 1,600 miles of trails
  • 100 miles of scenic views from I-90
  • 800,000 acres of public land
  • Dozens of campgrounds and farms
  • Hundreds of corporate and individual financial supporters and donors
  • Hundreds of lakes, waterways, and wetlands
  • More than 4,000 volunteers in 2009
  • More than 650,000 new trees planted since 1995

Partnership

Through its partnership with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, the City of Snoqualmie has engaged in a variety of efforts to maintain the beautiful natural surroundings of Snoqualmie.

Snoqualmie Point Park

In the heart of the Mountains to Sound Greenway is Snoqualmie Point Park, which was awarded the 2008 Award of Excellence for “Best Special Project” by the Federal Highway Administration and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). This $1.7 million project provided a scenic viewpoint of the dramatic native landscape and information to the public regarding the history of the region and the conservation successes that have been protected along the Interstate 90 corridor. The project also restored the vegetation and natural character of the site, as well as providing an access road and restrooms. This is one of the few locations along I-90 where travelers can experience the broad sweep of scenic landscape and learn about the history of the region.

Efforts

Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust Efforts:

  • Support of communities and public agencies to acquire open space for permanent protection
  • Assist community links to the regional Greenway trail system
  • Promote tourism along the 100-mile Greenway corridor
  • Coordinate volunteers to build and repair hiking, biking, equestrian, and walking trails and to plant trees and remove invasive weeds from public open spaces
  • Promote historic preservation and interpretation projects
  • Develop programs for environmental education to teach about the importance of keeping these forests, rivers, and mountains that are just outside the city
  • Work with land management agencies and volunteers of all ages for on-the-ground environmental restoration and trail maintenance at public natural and recreation areas