The Cedar River Trail sits precariously close to the river after heavy erosion
Heavy rains and snowmelt combined last week to flood wide areas of western Washington.
High water devastated the communities of Duvall, Carnation and Snoqualmie in the Snoqualmie River valley, as well as towns located further south, such as Pacifica, Centralia and Chehalis.
These are known haunts for cyclists in the area. The rural roads in the Snoqualmie Valley are ideal for long rides and are the routes for popular summer bike ride events like the Flying Wheels. Centralia and Chehalis are stopover towns for the annual Seattle-to-Portland bicycle ride.
Cedar River Trail
We'll find out the extent of damage to these roads and communities as the floodwaters recede.
Yesterday, I rode my bike down to Renton and along the Cedar River Trail nearly to Maple Valley.
About a mile before the Cedar Grove Road intersection, I saw this spot where the river had eroded into the riverbank created by the old railroad right-of-way (above). Let's hope they can stabilize this bank before it crumbles into the river.
Controlled
The Cedar River is still running high because of a controlled released from a dam upstream near Landsburg.
That high water has forced closure of the Cedar River Trail where it runs alongside the river beneath Route 169 (right) at the Maplewood Golf Course and the underpass at 154th Place.
[The state Department of Transportation photo at right shows where the river washed away soil beneath the retaining wall, causing a portion of it to sink.]
These are just inconveniences compared to the overwhelming losses that some have suffered. Let's wish them a full recovery.
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