Looking to do my first 2-week bikepacking trip in Olympic Park... itinerary help

[mmr305]

Hey, first post here. Two friends and I are looking to take a two week trip out on our 29ers. We currently live in Brooklyn and are jonesing (craving) to escape civilization for a bit before returning to school/work. I have kinda taken on the responsibility of setting up the trip but, I'm not really sure how to go about it though.
We all have significant hiking/camping experience, but never on bikes.

We would like to go during early September for 9-10 days. We are taking hammocks, and would like to do primitive camping (aka not a motel). The same goes for our trail choices- ideally we would ride 3-4 days straight in a wilderness-esque setting (aka not highways). Then being that we are observant Jews, spend Saturday (Shabbat) in a motel, because we cant ride on Saturdays. Then, Sunday head out for another 4-5 day wilderness bikepacking adventure.

We would like to do something in the Olympic mountains, mainly because of the rainforests. I saw they have a trail called the Olympic Discovery Trail, but it seemed like too much time spent in civilization. If anybody has any ideas, itineraries, or tips, it would be greatly appreciated. It doesn't have to be in Olympic park, anything in the NorthWest along the Pacific works too (as long as it involves being out in the beautiful forests of Mother Nature).

Thanks in advance and G-d Bless!!

[Ron Thomson]

I might have just the thing for you.

[mmr305]

And just what might it be?

[Ron Thomson]

Over the last few years I have been working on a route that circumnavigates the Olympic Peninsula or to be more accurate - Olympic National Park. I have a route that I just rode last month that works quite well but is, and probably always will be, a work in progress. The whole thing is a bit of a monster but it can also be broken down into sections. It's currently 415 miles and 70K vertical gain, but with resupply and lost turns it came out at 438. I took ten days to do it at a workman like pace. It's a real adventure and would be quite an accomplishment to finish.
There is an effort underway to have an annual Grande depart in September. (Sept 9th this year, leaving from, and finishing in, Port Angeles.) There is a most awesome website with a link to get on the email list and get a copy of the GPX file. http://olympic420.weebly.com
There will be no turn by turn directions for this, it would be too complicated and confusing. So yeah, GPS is essential.

Sounds like this might be just what you are looking for and possibly even work for a "Grande Depart" 

[mmr305]

Wow that looks like what we need.  We all need to get back before Sept 10th (for Rosh Hashana on the 13th) My friends don't want to do both weeks though. I think we will just do Tuesday morning till Friday morning. Basically 3 nights of camping. Could you suggest a good starting and ending point of your route. We will take enough food for 4 days, but we would need water refuel points, obviously. Thanks already for all of your help!

[mmr305]

BTW, Just ordered my Surly Ogre today!!!

[Ron Thomson]

The hardest but most scenically rewarding section would be between Lake Cushman and Lake Quinault. There is no easy bail on this section. 4 days and three nights should be enough for this. There are plenty of river crossings and creeks to keep you hydrated. Skokomish river, Wynoochee river and West fork Humptulips river.
The eastern section is also challenging but has good bail out points to Hwy 101. It's all challenging so be prepared!
Be prepared for lots of climbing and some hike a bike. It's a good mix of single track and gravel road.
Weather will be a big influence so be prepared for rain although we have not had any for months.

Once you have your broad strokes in place we can get into more specifics if you want.

Ron

[vikb]

Thanks for posting Ron. I'm in Victoria so this is right up my alley.

[vikb]

Hey Ron would you be able to provide a breakdown of the following info for the route [just roughly]?

- %HAB/%rideable
-%singletrack/%dirt road/%paved

That would help understand the character of the route better. Thanks.

[Ron Thomson]

I'll be able to give a better estimate when I am at home in front of Basecamp but here is my best guess for now. Keep in mind I was on a rigid singlespeed.

I think I must have hiked about 45 miles or so. so roughly ~ 10% HAB
Probably less than 10% paved road, there are some small highway sections to get around big river crossings and ONP boundaries.
of the remainder I'd say half is FS gravel and decomissioned FS roads and the other half is singletrack.

There is a mandatory bike carry over the Colonel Bob wilderness into Quinault but a FS road out to Donkey Creek is a good alternative. I have that GPX file available also.

Overall I would say this is a route for experienced bikepackers with good back country camping skills. There is limited resupply for calories but plenty of water on route.

Happy to help with any more questions you may have.

Good to know there is some interest from abroad 

Ron

[vikb]

Thanks that's close enough. I don't need 100% accuracy. I just wanted to get a feel for the trail.

I emailed at the link you shared above asking for the GPS track. If you have it I'd love to see it. I'm at threeohm "at" gmail "dot" com.

Thanks for taking the time to put this route together and share it. That's awesome.

[vikb]

Got the GPS track. Thanks!

If I may bug you for one last question...I notice your track is ridden clockwise. Is that the prefered direction or is it about the same ridden the other way?

[Ron Thomson]

I initially developed the route CCW but after riding it both CCW and CW I find the CW direction flows better. I kinda like the idea that it could be done in either direction.

[mmr305]

Wow Ron it's amazing to see you being so helpful to complete strangers, very inspiring! I see that you say that this route is for "advanced riders", I was wondering if you still think it would be good for us, considering this is our first bikepacking trip. Physically we are all in good shape and ride our bikes daily. As far as camping is concerned we also have alot of primitive camping experience. My only concern is that we wont be able to do the technical riding parts of the trail, being that we are not experienced. Are the trails very technical? Also I dont want to sound picky, but will there be any rainforest terrain on the way? (Not a gamebreaker)

Thanks for all of your help and G-d Bless!

[Ron Thomson]

There is some technical riding on some of the single track but it's all doable with decent MTB skills. I like that you are thinking this way. In terms of Rain Forest I would use my route as a connector for the Bogachiel, Hoh and Queets rain forests. Then you can leave your bikes at the Park boundary and hike some great rain forest trail. Once you get a plan together we can talk through some more details.

[mmr305]

So thanks to your encouragement Ron, we booked our tickets to Seattle. We get in to Seattle on Mon @ noon, but we will probably start our trip on tues morning. We must be back by 5pm on Friday. Where should we start?

[Ron Thomson]

I would start in Port Angeles or at least stay over in Port Angeles on Monday night. That sets you up nicely to tour some of the North Olympic Peninsula on your way to the only temperate rain forests in the USA.
There is public transport from SeaTac by way of Dungeness Lines who are bike friendly or maybe you are renting a van or car. Either way PA has lots of hotels, motels and hostels. Also good for last minute bike or camping supplies.

http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/bogachiel-river-trail.htm

http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/hoh-river-trail.htm

http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/queets-river-trail.htm

Just thought I'd mention it in case you are not aware, there is no riding inside Olympic National Park except for a few select places. But. You can ride to the trailhead which is a thing of great beauty also.
Be sure to include some ODT, Adventure Route of the ODT, Spruce Railroad Trail if open, Mt Muller and Kloshe Nanitch on your way to the rainforest.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/olympic/recarea/?recid=47711

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/olympic/recarea/?recid=47725

http://www.olympicdiscoverytrail.com/trail_maps/lake_crescent.html

Also be aware of areas still recovering from slides and washout that occurred last winter 2015. And now we are in the midst of a dry summer with no snow pack and lots of fires. Mostly small and contained.c

http://www.nps.gov/olym/learn/management/current-fire-status.htm

http://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/

[Ron Thomson]

Tuesday. PA to Forks area via Oly 420 route. This will take all day and maybe some night. Depends. You can always bail to road
Wednesday. ride to Bogachiel trailhead early and hike trail. camp out
Thursday. ride early hike another river trail. camp out
Friday. Jump on the bike friendly public bus and head for Seattle and/or get off to ride some trail then get back on if time allows. You're probably 3 hours drive from Port Angeles to Seatac so plenty time for a morning trail.  YMMV

[mmr305]

Woah!!! Thanks for all that info! btw do we need a GPS or can we wing it with maps? Thanks

[vikb]

There will be no turn by turn directions for this, it would be too complicated and confusing. So yeah, GPS is essential.

If you are on a schedule using a GPS will be very helpful. The forest looks the same from many areas and is not as map friendly as say riding in the desert where you can lock onto major features easy. Garmin 20's are ubiquitous so you may be able to borrow one.