One of the pieces of still-remaining road from the region’s early road systems, this segment is part of the old Yellowstone Trail, which went from Boston, across Snoqualmie Pass and down to Seattle and Puget Sound. The highway system in the Northwestern United States played a vital part in the development of the state of Washington. Trappers, miners, explorers, and adventurers cut their way through dense forests, over treacherous mountains, and across dry deserts to lead the way for the land-hungry immigrants who would settle in the area. The highways have changed since the early days of wagons and mule teams. Modern technology and engineering have made possible shorter, more economical routes. The old gravel, dirt, and brick surfaces have been covered with asphalt or have been abandoned, overgrown and forgotten.