Washington State Parks: South Cle Elum Railyard

Each step landed with a poof. A soft sound of gentle air lifting a fine dust of snow. Powdery snow floats and swirls around our ankles for seconds before coming to rest again; to mix with snow appearing undisturbed by our passing. The only sign we were there, a shallow trench dug by our snowshoes. We stop at each sign on the history trail, imagining a world long ago past and what historical treasures might be hidden beneath the snow.

South Cle Elum Railyard is an affiliated state park narrating the story of the once great Milwaukee Railroad. In the early 1900’s, the Milwaukee Railroad decided to expand into the northwest to compete with two other transcontinental railroads that were already established in the area – the Northern Pacific Railroad and the Great Northern Railway. Division points where locomotives were serviced, crews switched, and passenger embarked and dis-embarked were located 100-150 miles apart. South Cle Elum became one of these division points. The Milwaukee Road ceased its operations in Washington during the 1980’s and transferred ownership of the rail station to the state to “pay” its tax debt. In 2003, the rail yard and buildings were listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

A short trail loops through an eastern Washington meadow. Look for wildflowers and small birds as you pass from one interpretive sign to the next. Remnants of the rail yard still exist in the meadow and can add interesting details to your images. The old rail station houses a BBQ restaurant and museum but still has its early 20^th century charm with multi-paned windows and wide wooden platforms with benches to sit upon and watch the afternoon drift away.

Getting There: From Snoqualmie Pass follow I-90 east to exit 84 (Cle Elum/S Cle Elum). Continue on 1^st Street to S Cle Elum Way, turn right. Turn right on Madison Ave then left on 6th Street. Turn right on Milwaukee to the parking lot. From Ellensburg follow 1-90 west to exit 84 (Cle Elum). Continue on Oakes Ave to 1^st Street, turn left. Turn left onto S Cle Elum way and follow directions above.