Join leaders from the Trust for Public Land (TPL) as they take a group through the Tollgate Farm in North Bend just east of downtown Seattle. This space has a colorful and storied past and today is a beloved community viewshed not to mention an iconic agricultural meadow featuring stunning views of Mount Si and a lush meadow.
For thousands of years, travel across the Cascade Mountains included the crossing of the Snoqualmie River South Fork at this location. First by trail and later by road, Native Americans, Euro-Americans, miners, trappers, cattle drivers, explorers, railroad people, soldiers, business entrepreneurs, farmers, and tourists journeyed through the valley and crossed the river at this place. Tollgate Farm thus received its namesake from the “tolls” that were once collected at this site.
When the property was slated for commercial development in 2001, TPL helped permanently conserve the nearly 400-acre site for public open space. The space is a critical link in a 1,200-acre regional network of protected open space. Through existing public land, it connects to the 94,000-acre Cedar River Watershed, the 180,000-acre Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Forest, and the 90,000-acre Snoqualmie Tree Farm. It includes magnificent wetland forests, an important natural reach of the South Fork of the Snoqualmie, and a healthy wildlife corridor used by elk, black bears, and cougars.
The property features sweeping landscapes, several easy hiking trails, bicycle trails, wildlife viewing, and farm-based learning opportunities. The tour will be capped off by a farm-to-table meal prepared by local chefs using ingredients from Tollgate and surrounding farms.
Please note: This is a 1-mile gravel hiking/biking trail. Participants should wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
