Walter Steinhart


In 1917 Walter Steinhart became the first motorcyclist to reach the summit of Snoqualmie Pass. At least several miles of the journey were undertaken under conditions of heavy snow. The Indian Powerplus motorcycle Steinhart rode was able to make better progress than a man leading a horse that he passed.
January 1, 1917 saw Steinhart finishing first among ten riders in a 180-mile course twice around Lake Washington through mud that reached to the hub of one of the riders' motorcycle. Steinhart's time was 3 hours, 20 minutes.
On August 20 of that year, Steinhart competed in the Seattle MC Contest Seattle-North Yakima-Goldendale-White-Salmon-Portland enduro and finished third behind G. C. Austin and Ray Smith. His Indian lost ground between North Yakima and Goldendale. Steinhart used Goodyear tires, a Splitdorf generator, Schebler carburetor and Duckworth chains.