Today, October 12 the DNR commenced decommissioning certain community trails on Rattlesnake Mountain. This follows completion of the final two trails in the Raging River State Forest mountain bike recreation plan, as DNR shifts from construction to enforcement . It's a shift that, applied broadly, would remove community trails across DNR-managed land throughout the I-90 corridor.

Community representatives met with DNR earlier this summer to seek a middle ground; DNR elected to proceed as planned. This petition asks DNR to reconsider that decision before more trails are lost.  

Many of the trails slated for removal are the ones people actively ride. Most intermediate and advanced riders find the current DNR inventory insufficient at meeting their technical or routing needs, a gap that is clearly reflected in trail traffic data. Additionally, local youth mountain bike clubs prefer to use this terrain to develop skills among young riders, some of whom have gone on to compete internationally. We are proud of our community trail system, and many local businesses recognize the economic benefit it provides.

These trails also serve as the only current connection to the town of North Bend. The community connector trail that would replace that link has not been built and is still several years out. Decommissioning these trails before the replacement exists severs access that DNR's own recreation plan depends on.

This a maintained network, done so by the hands of a passionate community of riders who have dedicated over 1,000 volunteer hours in 2026 alone to clear storm damage, host work parties, and clean up trailheads. This stewardship has been ongoing for over 15 years, and most of these trails pre-date any sanctioned building in the area. Our volunteers maintain a genuine respect for the mountain and its value to the local community. Furthermore, decommissioning these trails will impact not only mountain bikers, but also the hikers, trail runners, dog walkers, and foragers who rely on them.

These trails sit on the ancestral land of the Snoqualmie People. We support evaluating their future in consultation with the Snoqualmie Tribe, and we ask DNR to make that consultation part of an open process rather than a reason to act without one.

What we're asking

Pause decommissioning at Exit 27 and evaluate these trails for adoption into the sanctioned system before removing them.

The Upper 27 and RRAZ trails are the only link between DNR's advanced trails and both Exit 27 and the town of North Bend, and the connector meant to replace that link does not yet exist. We ask DNR to hold off on decommissioning, open a defined public comment period, and assess these specific trails for inclusion in the Raging River system — with reroutes or closures where a genuine resource concern is documented. The Stewards of Exit 27 Trails will supply volunteer labor for condition assessment and any corrective work DNR identifies.

Sign to tell DNR: evaluate first, then decide.