From May 23 through August 30 on weekends and holidays (including Independence Day), King County is resuming the Trailhead Direct service — dedicated buses that take hikers to popular trails on Mount Si and the Issaquah Alps. Fares are charged at the standard Metro rate, including ORCA cards; however, contactless phone payment is not available. Riders under 19 travel free, and signing up for SMS or email alerts is recommended for real-time trip information.
“Trailhead Direct opens access to some of the most beautiful natural areas in our region while reducing congestion, cutting emissions and making outdoor recreation more accessible to all King County residents,” said King County executive Girmay Zahilay. Launched in 2017, the program uses 22–27-seat buses equipped with racks for multiple bicycles.
The Mount Si shuttle departs Capitol Hill at 7:33 a.m. from the intersection of E Denny Way and 16th Avenue E, with stops in downtown Seattle, Bellevue and North Bend. The last run leaves the Mount Teneriffe trailhead at 6:44 p.m., and a few minutes later from Mount Si and Little Si. The Issaquah Alps shuttle starts at the Mount Baker transit hub at 7:42 a.m. and returns around 7:17 p.m., stopping in Bellevue and Issaquah. The full schedule is available at trailheaddirect.org.
Based on: King County shuttle-to-trails service begins Memorial Day weekend