Day 1: Arrival/Orientation in Mukilteo, WA
Arrive on your own to our starting location in Mukilteo, Washington by 2pm for the start of your adventure. We meet near the hotel for a bike fitting and orientation in the late afternoon, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Dinner included.
Day 2: Mukilteo to Port Townsend
Miles: 46 miles · Elevation: +2,407’ / -2,870'
Terrain: Paved roads.
We begin our journey by riding from our starting hotel 3 miles to the ferry terminal, ferry to Whidbey Island and spend the day visiting some of the well known spots along the southern part of the island: the town of Langley and Coupeville, Greenbank Farm and Ebey's Landing State Park. Experience tiny waterfront villages and artist's havens while viewing the Olympic mountain range and Puget Sound. Cycle past or visit the nation's first National Historical Reserve, Ebey's Landing State Park situated along a spectacular area of coastline, where a patchwork of fields collide with a coastal bluff. The park is home to forest, fields, lakes, a beach, and historical buildings.
We finish the day with a jaunt to the Port Townsend - Coupeville ferry terminal followed by a sail to Port Townsend, our home for the night. Spend the remainder of the day with magnificent views of Puget Sound. Lunch on your own. Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3: Port Townsend to Port Angeles
Miles: 55 miles · Elevation: +2,257’ / -2,572'
Terrain: Paved rail trail.
We journey along the Olympic Discover Trail starts today. The Olympic Discovery Trail, a combination of designated bike paths and shared roads, traverses 130 miles of lush, verdant farmland and forests, all while in the shadows of snow capped coastal mountains. Today we will cycling past several bays and inlets. A turn of your head to the north you will find the open waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca with cargo ships making the way to/from the Port of Seattle; to the south you will see the mountaintops of Olympic National Park. We end our day and begin a two-night stay in Port Angeles; another beautiful coastal town along the Olympic Peninsula. All meals included.
Day 4: Olympic National Park - Hurricane Ridge
Miles: 40 miles · Elevation: +5,540’ / -5,540’
Terrain: Paved road.
No need to pack your luggage today as we will embark on a spectacular day of climing up Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. Riding past the visitor center (stop for an overview of the Olympic National Park and dive into the geology of the area) we will climb more than a mile in elevation over 20 miles. No way to get lost today as there is one winding road up to the summit and the same road back down. Forested scenery with open vistas overlooking Puget Sound are in store for you during the climb and majestic views that could rival Glacier National Park are yours for the viewing at the top. There are three tunnels along the two to three hour journey with an average 5.3% gradient some up to 8-10% gradients. You may find bear and deer along the trip as well. Here is a nice Hurrincane Ridge ride video. Lunch on your own today, perhaps at the summit. Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 5: Port Angeles to Forks
Miles: 62 miles · Elevation: +2,787’ / -2,575’
Terrain: Paved rail trail.
We continue our journey along the Olympic Discovery Trail as we head along the Strait of Juan de Fuca toward the town of Joyce. We enjoy beautiful car-less cycling along the trail as we pass Lake Crescent to the south and parallel the famous Highway 101 to Forks, WA. Forks is well know for winter steelhead fishing on the Hoh, Sol Duc, Bogachiel and Calawah rivers. All meals included.
Day 6: Forks to Lake Quinnault (ONP)
Miles: 62 miles · Elevation: +2,138’ / -2,030’
Terrain: Paved road.
Today, we not only ride along the Pacific Ocean as we make our way into a rest day and off-bike activities, we ride past access to three of the four rainforests in the Olympic National Park; Bogachiel, Hoh, and Queets. After departing Forks and dropping out of the western edge of the rainforest, we will find relatively flat riding along the coast;a delight with many, many opportunities to walk down to the beach to dip your toes into the Pacific. At Queets, we will turn inland and make our way tour Lake Quinault. Climbing away from the shore and back into the rainforest, the route is populated with forests along the entire way. We end our day at the fourth rainforest, the Quinault, located at the southern edge of the Olympic National Park. We will spend two nights at famous Lake Quinault Lodge with opportunities to explore the rainforest, the lake and other ammenities at the end of our sixth day together. All meals included.
Day 7: Olympic National Park (Lake Quinnalt)
Lake Quinault Lodge, our home for 2 nights, is situated on the eastern shores of Lake Quinault and is in the Olympic National Park. Today you are on your own to explore the lake via kayak, take a hike along more than 15 well-maintain trails, check out the pool/sauna/recreation room, or take the rainforest tour; a 33-mile journey deep into the Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park (included). Breakfast and lunch on your own. Roosevelt Dining Room dinner included.
Day 8: Lake Quinnault to Aberdeen
Miles: 62 miles · Elevation: +2,324’ / -2,706’
Terrain: Paved roads.
Van transfer: 3 hours
Departing our day of rest, we make our way south to Aberdeen, a town along the Chehalis River. The terrain will be rolling hills as there are many streams to cross that in season are filled with spawning salmon. The road is forested with an occasional farm or small community. Be sure to stop at the town common in the quaint town of Monsanto and one of several coffee shops nearby. You can easily spend the afternoon relaxing and walking the few commerical streets. As we depart Monsanto, we head west toward the Pacific Ocean along the Chelhalis River to our overnight in Aberdeen, the southern gateway to the Olympic National Park and the hometown of rock music icon Kurt Cobain. All meals included.
Day 9: Aberdeen to Raymond (Pacific Coast)
Miles: 51 miles · Elevation: +1,047’ / -1,063’
Terrain: Paved roads.
Van transfer: 2.5 hours
As we depart Aberdeen we head west toward the Pacific Ocean. We will encounter and perhaps visit the International Mermaid Museum and the Westport Winery Garden Resort along our route to the coast. We reach the ocean at Twin Harbors State Park and turn south to ride along the shoreline. Photo opportunities will be plentiful and the riding flat as we head south, then east toward Willapa Bay and Willapa Harbor ending in Raymond, Washington; an old wild and wooly lumber town. We end the day with a 3 hour transfer to Portland, Oregon, a celebratory dinner, and final overnight. We bid farewell to each other at the end of the evening as tomorrow is on your own. Easy transfers to the airport are provided by the hotel. All meals included.
