In partnership and under a contract with Si-View Parks, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance built the new Tennant Trail System on a small property just 1.3 miles from downtown. Si-View Parks purchased the land through the conservation futures program, a grant fund from King County, saving it from turning into suburban development. Now, the Tennant trail system preserves and protects the lush, second-growth forest bordering the public lands. 

A crew of volunteers digging in new trail at Tennant. Photo: Jack Lambert

“Tennant was previously used as a dumping ground for folks traveling on I-90. We filled up an entire trailer of trash that otherwise would have sat in the forest."

“Tennant was previously used as a dumping ground for folks traveling on I-90. We filled up an entire trailer of trash that otherwise would have sat in the forest,” said Shawn Lorenz, Evergreen trail builder, who spent two weeks on an excavator just cleaning up before building the trails. The project also included extensive invasive species mitigation, removing massive amounts of invasive blackberry bushes, English ivy, and English holly. “As mountain bikers, we care deeply for the forest and its health. Tennant has beautiful second, or maybe even third, growth that we want to preserve for future generations of riders to enjoy,” says Lorenz. 

Shawn Lorenz skillfully and carefully using an excavtor to clear the path for a climbing trail. Photo: Jack Lambert

“We have been waiting for this trail system since 2017. Getting involved in building [the Tennant] trail system in our own backyard was a no-brainer."

“We have been waiting for this trail system since 2017. Getting involved in building [the Tennant] trail system in our own backyard was a no-brainer,” says Nick Altson, service manager at Singletrack Cycles. 

The community is buzzing with excitement and anticipation. “[We are excited about] having a trail straight from North Bend connecting us to every other trail system. A great warm-up before the downhill!” Alston is referring to Phase 2 of the project, tentatively scheduled to begin next year, 2024, which will connect Tennant to the Raging River trail system.

Evergreen is based in North Bend, and this project is being built by the community from the ground up, laying a new foundation of who is at the table when building trails.“We’ve built a lot of trails above the town on Raging Ridge and at Ollalie, but this is the first project that really brings the trails into the community of North Bend.” According to Mike Westra, Evergreen Trails Director

When designing the Tennant trail system, Evergreen’s Trail Program Manager David Fleischhauer, wanted this park to have the local chapter of Evergreen, Cascades to Sound, and community members involved from the get-go. “We were excited to work with local riding groups to build sections of trails to fit their needs,” David said. “Having access this close to town gives our local youth cycling teams, families, and folks with limited time or resources the ability to get out and ride more easily.”

Volunteers gathering for lunch after digging. Photo: Jack Lambert

Phase 1 of the project includes two climbing trails and six descending trails from beginner lines to flowy jump tracks to technical downhill lines. The lines aren’t long; one can do multiple laps in an hour. But there is something for every rider in this area. Since breaking ground this past winter, local shops and teams, including Gerk’s Ski and Cycle, Singletrack Cycles, Trek Bicycles Tukwila, Team Tahoma Youth Cycling, and Mount Si Youth Cycling, have all volunteered to help build the new trails.

A rider testing out the new trails after digging. Photo: Jack Lambert

Evergreen believes it is essential to incorporate the Snoqualmie Tribe's language and culture into the trail names as a way to educate the public about the Tribe's history and foster greater cultural awareness and understanding.

Tennant is also laying a new foundation for trail naming that has never been done with Evergreen before. The Snoqualmie Tribe has partnered with Evergreen to name all of the trails at Tennant in Lushootseed, the language spoken by the Snoqualmie Tribe. The names for the trails will all relate to the space in some way, whether through geographical features, wildlife, or other related themes. Collaborating with the Tribe's on naming the Tennant trails is a crucial step in acknowledging and respecting the history and cultural significance of the land we ride on. Evergreen believes it is essential to incorporate the Snoqualmie Tribe's language and culture into the trail names as a way to educate the public about the indigenous history of the land and foster greater cultural awareness and understanding.

Trail Builders Alex Showerman and Austin Graham compacting one of the jump lines. Photo: Jack Lambert

We want to thank and recognize the 167 volunteers who gave their time (842 hours total!) and energy, as well as Trail Builders Shawn Lorenz, Paul Martin, Micheal Fisher, Alex Showerman, Austin Graham, and Scott Miller for their creativity and leadership on this project. Special thanks to the Cascades to Sounds super volunteers Chris Lynch and crew, the Sturdy B’s and Dave Hutton and crew. If you see them around town, do not hesitate to say thank you! Last but not least, we want to thank Si-View parks and the City of North Bend for their leadership and coordination and funding of the project. 

If you’re looking for more history and information on Tennant Trailhead Park, visit Snoqualmie Valley Record’s article here.

The Tennant Trail System is anticipated to open in late June or summer 2023. Stay tuned to Evergreen’s newsletters and social media for more updates.