GO SEAHAWKS!! 12 for LYFEJoined: 20 Jul 2011Posts: 3092Location: King County
Any tips/tricks for me?
Traveling pretty loaded with kid in trailer from ferry terminal to south east tip of the island.
Route suggestions and things to avoid would be appreciated
Boosh!
gsbarnes
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:33 am
Joined: 15 Aug 2006Posts: 2666Location: No Fun Town, USA
Did it once on a beautiful fall weekend. Parked at the Anacortes overflow lot early Saturday and biked on with the whole family. Probably one kid was on a bike and the other was on a Trail a Bike, so I towed him while Elizabeth towed a trailer full of crap. Grabbed a beach campsite at Spencer Spit, which allowed us to leave most of our stuff while we biked about. Slept one night then returned Sunday morning.
Like most ferry spots, the hill out of the dock is the worst. Once we claimed the campsite we biked to a spot called Shark Reef where you can walk a short trail to sea a lot of sea lions sunbathng on a rock. Then we went into town and bought fudge and ice cream. There were hills, but only s couple and nothing compared to the hill from the ferry.
Hope to do it again this fall. The campsites become all first come first served starting September 16, so hopefully there's a clear weekend sometime after.
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Bo Ttorff
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:39 am
GO SEAHAWKS!! 12 for LYFEJoined: 20 Jul 2011Posts: 3092Location: King County
There should be a thread called "ask Greg Barnes for route advice". It sounds like you did exactly what we are going to do except we got a camping spot in a field for a wedding. We will be towing trailers full of stuff so we will gear up for that climb out of the ferry landing. Thanks for the tips Barnes!
key lime
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 8:27 am
it never happenedJoined: 13 Mar 2008Posts: 1142Location: Wallenfjord
We camped Spencer Spit last friday night. Didnt get the feeling there were any stores or restaurants anywhere north or east of the little village halfway down the west side of the island. So plan accordingly if you havent already.
Bo Ttorff
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 1:12 pm
GO SEAHAWKS!! 12 for LYFEJoined: 20 Jul 2011Posts: 3092Location: King County
key lime wrote:
We camped Spencer Spit last friday night. Didnt get the feeling there were any stores or restaurants anywhere north or east of the little village halfway down the west side of the island. So plan accordingly if you havent already.
Good to know, thanks Lemke
langston
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 1:30 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 5547Location: Columbia City
Heading there tomorrow to take a friend from the midwest out to the SJs for the first time. Been to Spencer Spit before, it's true that the only services are at the little village.
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Bo Ttorff
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 2:09 pm
GO SEAHAWKS!! 12 for LYFEJoined: 20 Jul 2011Posts: 3092Location: King County
langston wrote:
Heading there tomorrow to take a friend from the midwest out to the SJs for the first time. Been to Spencer Spit before, it's true that the only services are at the little village.
If you end up doing Lopez can you give me a trip report on what to watch/avoid?
gsbarnes
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 2:45 pm
Joined: 15 Aug 2006Posts: 2666Location: No Fun Town, USA
Forgot to mention that all the drivers were super chill and everyone waves at you. That's the Lopez thing. Wave back.
Yeah, only services were at the village.
_________________ I have always thought in the back of my mind: Cheese and Onions
gsbarnes
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 2:57 pm
Joined: 15 Aug 2006Posts: 2666Location: No Fun Town, USA
Oh, and since you aren't staying there, check out Spencer Spit. Very nice Beach with views across the channel to Orcas and beyond. You'll definitely want to drop off your camping supplies first, since you'll be heading down a hill to the water.
Expect to pay if you're parking at the Anacortes lot. Derrick says the cheap thing is to park on residential streets nearby and bike from there. Not sure you want to be that cheap. Looks like parking is $20 for 24-48 hours at the official lot. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/vesselwatch/terminaldetail.aspx?terminalid=1
_________________ I have always thought in the back of my mind: Cheese and Onions
derrickito
Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 8:56 am
now with 50 percent more EVILJoined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 10566
confirmed. if you want to save 20 bucks, you drive right past the entrance to the ferry and take a left on the road by the fire station. park back up in the residential areas and you can park for free as long as you'd like. a little downhill into the ferry so be prepared for that with trailers.
it'll suck going back up that hill with trailers, but you can send up one person up the hill to get the car and come back down easy enough.
Jake sorry this doesn't really apply to your trip but thought theis might be useful for others headed to Lopez.
The other place to camp is Odlin County Park, that's the park on your right just 1 mile from the ferry. They have designated hiker/biker/kayaker sites for those with no car, you can reserve those sites. They also have a site that's non-reservable overflow. You share with whoever else shows up, max of 15 people total.
http://www.sanjuanco.com/495/Lopez-Island
For those that want some slight adventure, there is an unmaintained county road that is not on maps but can be integrated into a loop of the island. Last time I rode it it was pretty mellow double-track, did it on 32s no problem.
Lopez Sound road looks like it turns into Raven Hill Lane and then dead ends. It shows back up again a bit northeast. In reality the road cuts through.
If you ride the road, I suggest going northbound which is more downhill.
Alex
Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 1:57 pm
Joined: 18 May 2006Posts: 3128Location: Roosevelt
I've not ridden those trails, but I've ridden the dirt road that Jimmy references. It was in 1997, so quite a while ago, and I rented a cabin along it. The road was really easy to deal with and not very exciting, but it also had no traffic.
Spencer Spit is one of my favorite state parks. I love the spit, the campsites are great, and there really isn't anything bad to say about it.
Shark Reef State Park is a worthy short ride destination, it is fun to walk out and see all of the seals.
Bo Ttorff
Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 3:36 pm
GO SEAHAWKS!! 12 for LYFEJoined: 20 Jul 2011Posts: 3092Location: King County
Great stuff guys, thanks a lot.
derrickito
Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 3:54 pm
now with 50 percent more EVILJoined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 10566
last time i was out there that jimmy road was still available. saw several cyclists using it besides me. it made for a nice loop
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GO SEAHAWKS!! 12 for LYFE
Joined: 20 Jul 2011
Posts: 3092
Location: King County
Joined: 15 Aug 2006
Posts: 2666
Location: No Fun Town, USA
it never happened
Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 1142
Location: Wallenfjord
Joined: 25 Jul 2005
Posts: 5547
Location: Columbia City
now with 50 percent more EVIL
Joined: 22 Jul 2005
Posts: 10566
Joined: 10 Jan 2007
Posts: 1491
Joined: 18 May 2006
Posts: 3128
Location: Roosevelt
