In 1886 the Northern Pacific Railway constructed a branch line between Cle Elum and Roslyn to transport coal from the Roslyn/Cle Elum coal field. In 1887 the line was extended westerly to the Number 3 mine, which spurred the creation of the town of Ronald. Although the rails are gone, the route has been preserved as a historical walk with markers along the way identifying significant sites. The 4.7 mile, well-maintained level path allows visitors to stroll in the footsteps of the local coal mining history.
Kittitas County Parks & Recreation District #1 in cooperation with the Coal Mines Trail Commission are investigating the possibility of enhancing the Coal Mines Trail with interpretive signage. This new signage would provide information on key historic periods, land features, and natural resources via a webpage, map, and audio tour, all accessed via QR code scanning. The project would involve extensive collaboration between Coal Mines Trail Commission stewards and managers, KPRD1, historians, and other community contributors. We envision the process of planning, design, approval, and implementation to take approximately two years.