King County shuttle-to-trails service begins Memorial Day weekend

King County's transit service that takes hikers out to trails is set to start up for the season on Saturday.

Known as Trailhead Direct, the service will provide trips to the Mount Si and Issaquah Alps trails on weekends and holidays from May 23 through Aug. 30, including on Independence Day, according to a news release from the county.

Trailhead Direct uses vehicles with 22 to 27 seats, as well as a rack for a few bikes.

Standard Metro fares apply and riders can use their ORCA cards, according to the release, but Tap to Pay is not available with Trailhead Direct. Hikers 18 and younger ride free. The county encourages passengers to sign up for text or email alerts about Trailhead Direct.

Trailhead Direct opens the door to some of our region's most incredible outdoor spaces while reducing congestion, lowering emissions, and making it easier for more people to experience King County's natural beauty," King County Executive Girmay Zahilay said in the news release.

The program launched in 2017.

The Mount Si shuttle runs from Capitol Hill, departing at 7:33 a.m. from East Denny Way and 16th Avenue East, with stops in downtown Seattle, Bellevue and North Bend. The last shuttle leaves the Mount Teneriffe trailhead at 6:44 p.m., then Mount Si and Little Si a few minutes later.

The Issaquah Alps shuttle starts at the Mount Baker Transit Center, starting at 7:42 a.m. and returning around 7:17 p.m., with stops along the way in Bellevue and Issaquah.

To view the full schedule, visit https://trailheaddirect.org

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