Elkhorn Campground in Olympic National Forest is a good option for a .83 camping trip, either this one or in the future. It has campsites with fire pits right on the river, is pretty secluded, the ranger station is closed indefinitely, and the campground appears to get very little if any use these days.
That's because the forest service road is washed out about a mile before the campground, which means it's only accessible by foot or bike. On the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, there was not a soul at this campground. The road has been washed out for 5 years, and the forest is reclaiming the road on the other side of the washout, so that in a few places it's more a narrow trail than a road. There is a hiking trail detour around the washout, 3 or 4 switchbacks up the steep hillside, 100 yards or so through the forest on top of the hill, then down the other side. It adds a little adventure, especially with loaded bikes.
No facilities, we'd filter water from the river. There's a pit toilet, but I wouldn't count on being able to use it, it looked to be in disrepair. There are a few picnic tables that look like they're being swallowed by the forest. Everything is dripping with moss. It actually felt a bit haunted, which I think would make it fun to camp there.
Dosewallips Campground, 4 miles further up the river in Olympic National Park, is a bit nicer. (Not to be confused with Dosewallips State Park, which is on Hwy 101.) It's similarly somewhat overgrown due to lack of use and maintenance, but that's part of the appeal, there have been no cars there for 5 years. Higher elevation, a working pit toilet, the river is a bit wider and more open. But it also has more use, it's a trailhead for ONP backcountry access. And there is a ranger stationed there. We camped there Saturday, there were about 6 other campsites occupied. You're practically guaranteed a spot right beside the river. It was wonderfully quiet, just the sound of the river. A .83-style campout might disturb folks who are there for the quiet seclusion.
The proposed route from Bainbridge, across the Hood Canal bridge and down the west side of the canal, is ~65 miles. There are a couple gradual climbs of several miles each along the way, including a small mountain pass, plus lots of smaller ups and downs. Google Maps doesn't show elevation - if anyone knows how to convert this to a map that does that would help.
The road is paved until the last few miles before the washout, then it's packed dirt and crushed gravel, with some larger gravel mixed in. Skinny tires would be doable if you pick your line carefully, but you'd be happier with wider tires.
If that route is too ambitious, we could shuttle the bikes to the west side of the canal and ride in from there, making it a 12-15 mile ride, depending on where we park. I scoped out a public parking space beside the Duckabush River, a few miles down Hwy 101. It might also be possible to park overnight at Dosewallips State Park on Hwy 101, which is a little closer to Dosewallips Road. It's also possible to park beside the road right at the washout, meaning that anyone who wanted to join us but didn't want to bike could drive to the washout and hike in 1 mile to the campground.
(On our return trip Sunday we took 101 south around the canal and over to Bremerton. Has anyone ridden hwy 106 from Skokomish to Belfair, along the south shore of the canal? It winds right along the shore the whole way, very few ups and downs, light traffic, it's beautiful.)
Foo
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:51 am
Joined: 27 Jul 2007Posts: 583
I'll be packing a 2-man tent but any poor SOBs that rely upon it are gonna be on their own for Saturday night.
mork the delayer
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:06 am
Joined: 06 Apr 2006Posts: 548Location: Providence, RI
MikeOD wrote:
Google Maps doesn't show elevation - if anyone knows how to convert this to a map that does that would help.
This thing that adds Elevation Contours to google maps helps, but doesn't give exactly what you're looking for.
The same people wrote a Path Profiler, but it kinda sucks.
_________________ Adam
the dreaded ben
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:32 am
Grumpy GreebJoined: 20 Aug 2005Posts: 5329Location: flavor country
Chimed
Have not decide if I'm riding from Seattle or taking the train to Fall City (ha ha, there isn't a train to Fall City, to bad). I will make that decision later in the week. Ben said there are good cycling road from Fall City! didn't you say that Ben?
I can meet people on the way to bear country(ride fast, I hear a black bear can hit 35 mph in a sprint).
the dreaded ben
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:13 am
Grumpy GreebJoined: 20 Aug 2005Posts: 5329Location: flavor country
i'm with mike on this although i would make a couple of changes to the route.
1. head out on the edmonds ferry. this will cut out the inherent nastiness of 305 and derrick's hometown.
3. ferry out of port orchard to cut out that nasty freeway section to bremerton.
4. if we get tired and don't want to climb the old belfair highway, we can ride right along 3 instead. it's not bad until you get near bremerton.
19. if we get tired crash at any of the myriad campgrounds along 101 rather than climbing in ten miles to elkhorn. although the climb is only 680'.
oh and we can pick up supplies in brinnon. ie. they have a liquor store.
all told the hilly day will be short and the long day will be flat. sounds perfect.
I'm not catching what you are proposing as far as what portions we ride and what portions we bike or where we park and what ferry we catch home.
the dreaded ben
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:34 am
Grumpy GreebJoined: 20 Aug 2005Posts: 5329Location: flavor country
meet north end -> ride to edmonds -> ferry -> hood canal bridge via port gamble-> follow mike's route -> camp -> follow my second day route to port orchard -> ferry -> ride home from downtown -> wash yo self.
joeball
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:45 am
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 6037Location: Ether
the dreaded ben wrote:
meet north end -> ride to edmonds -> ferry -> hood canal bridge via port gamble-> follow mike's route -> camp -> follow my second day route to port orchard -> ferry -> ride home from downtown -> wash yo self.
There is no Port Orchard Ferry, there is the Southworth-Fauntleroy or Bremerton -Seattle
DJStroky
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:47 am
Joined: 25 May 2007Posts: 356Location: Downtown Tacoma
MikeOD wrote:
Google Maps doesn't show elevation - if anyone knows how to convert this to a map that does that would help.
_________________ Tacoma isn't that bad... well maybe it is
the dreaded ben
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:57 am
Grumpy GreebJoined: 20 Aug 2005Posts: 5329Location: flavor country
joeball wrote:
There is no Port Orchard Ferry, there is the Southworth-Fauntleroy or Bremerton -Seattle
WTF, there used to be a stop there after bremerton. the terrorist have won.
bremerton ferry it is, except this time i'm riding 3, fuck that big hill.
derrickito
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:19 am
now with 50 percent more EVILJoined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 10566
someone tell me what weekend, and where we are going. i cant be forced to read all 3 pages of this.
Lutella
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:23 am
Joined: 20 Mar 2007Posts: 206Location: all dressed in yella
tldr
+
chime
edit:
Saturday morning departure!
Last edited by Lutella on Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:57 am; edited 1 time in total
Foo
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:29 am
Joined: 27 Jul 2007Posts: 583
derrickito wrote:
someone tell me what weekend, and where we are going. i cant be forced to read all 3 pages of this.
This weekend, we can't agree where the fuck we're going.
HTH!
ro
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:46 am
Joined: 29 Jun 2007Posts: 317
I believe we are doing the (Ben Country One Redu), Duvall on the rail trail to northbend or Seattle to middle fork or Issaquah parkandride to Preston-snoqualmie trail to middle fork.
The ride to Dosi sounds good but long (140 miles round trip, approx, nice three day trip). The middle Fork good weekend, yes?
kalen
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:58 am
Joined: 10 Apr 2007Posts: 342Location: Olympia, on the farm
I love this group. We ride in 3? 4? we don't even know when we're leaving. Where? Maybe we'll know by the time we get started.
Obviously, I'll see you there! I'm feeling a little out of shape lately, so the shorter middle fork ride sounds good to me for just the weekend.
henry
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:09 am
somewhat piggishJoined: 05 Aug 2005Posts: 5415Location: on porch with shotgun
kalen wrote:
I'm feeling a little out of shape lately, so the shorter middle fork ride sounds good to me for just the weekend.
me too! all this summer has made me lazy.
My vote is for the Snoqualmie Valley Trail option.
Is there a Friday group, or is everyone going Saturday?
MikeOD
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 12:47 pm
Joined: 04 Feb 2006Posts: 545
ro wrote:
I believe we are doing the (Ben Country One Redu), Duvall on the rail trail to northbend or Seattle to middle fork or Issaquah parkandride to Preston-snoqualmie trail to middle fork.
The ride to Dosi sounds good but long (140 miles round trip, approx, nice three day trip). The middle Fork good weekend, yes?
Yes, it was 160 miles round trip from Ballard (through Edmonds/Kingston, returning via Bremerton), with a day of hiking in between riding. It's about 80 miles from Elkhorn campground to the Bremerton ferry. Our Monday was 90 miles and we rolled home around 10pm, having missed a ferry by about 3 minutes. Damn those hills in Bremerton! This would be a good overnighter if we car shuttle.
Middle Fork sounds good for this weekend, we just need to decide on the route.
ro
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 1:02 pm
Joined: 29 Jun 2007Posts: 317
How about the snoqualmie valley trail, either from duvall or carnation?
I think Henry seconded this, idea (from Ben).
SKETCHY
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 7:12 pm
Joined: 25 Aug 2007Posts: 336Location: Everywhere
I think we should make up our minds on Thurs. night.
Because we can't fucking do it online, god damn fucking technolgy, and fuck spelling. Shit i'm better now. I can't go this weekend anyways. But I may drink heavely thurs.
_________________ Pissing the world off since 1973.
TrikerTrev
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:16 am
Joined: 23 Oct 2006Posts: 2303Location: FOCO, MOFO!!!
SKETCHY wrote:
I think we should make up our minds on Thurs. night.
Because we can't fucking do it online, god damn fucking technolgy,
yeah, nothin' like group planning!
Hope yall have a kick azz time!
_________________ Insufferable ass, est. 1969
ro
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:47 am
Joined: 29 Jun 2007Posts: 317
Not riding on Thursday, have to work late at El Libre, unless your going to Pac Rim in white center then I'll meet you there.
Whatever is decided is fine by me, Saturday and Sunday looks like pretty great weather(might not even bring rain gear!?!).
It would be nice to ride in one group makes those beer stops eaiser. If we go from Seattle like Andre proposed I will go to the Issaquah park and ride and meet the group in Issaquah. If we do the Snoqualmie Trail I will drive either to Duvall or Carnation and ride from there. I figure we can stock up on refreshment in North Bend and not have to carry said beer,wine,tequila,whiskey the whole distance. Looks like about 10-13 people that I count are going?
Foo
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:04 am
Joined: 27 Jul 2007Posts: 583
I'll be there for a Friday departure or at least the earlier part of Saturday if we leave then. If we go to Duvall, I'll have a truck to carry a few bikes and extra supplies along - although anyone that comes along in the truck is going to have to find some alternate means of return transport.
If anyone needs a tent and can get it back to me fairly soon after the hike, you're welcome to use my gear as well.
ro
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 6:17 pm
Joined: 29 Jun 2007Posts: 317
I'm bringing a rain jacket!
Freezing Levels Freezing levels will be at 7,500 early on Saturday and then up to 9000 for later on Sunday. The levels will be higher for the south, south of Snoq. Pass.
Weather Summary
A weak upper level ridge of high pressure will be over the West Coast for most of the forecasting period. However several weak pulses will drop down from the north one on Thursday and then one for later on Saturday. The net impact will be to keep temperatures cooler and bring a very slight chance for showers on Thursday and then again on Saturday. The forecast models have been struggling with this feature so not a lot of confidence in the chance of showers.
Saturday
West Cascades (West of the crest. This covers Mt. Baker and Paradise area all the way south to Mt. Adams. Not including Stevens and Snoq Passes
Partly cloudy and a slight chance of a late shower. From trace to 0.10 inches.
Stevens and Snoq Passes
Partly cloudy and a slight chance of a late shower. From trace to 0.10 inches
henry
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 12:46 pm
somewhat piggishJoined: 05 Aug 2005Posts: 5415Location: on porch with shotgun
Are we leaving from Seattle by bike or car? I MUST KNOW!!
Joined: 06 Apr 2006Posts: 548Location: Providence, RI
lantius wrote:
i'm on track for a saturday morning departure. 8am, i90 bike tunnel?
Yes, that will do.
So we're bringing our own everything like food, right? (There's nothing provided but whining and hoseplay(horseplay (couldn't lose that typo))?)
_________________ Adam
ro
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:14 pm
Joined: 29 Jun 2007Posts: 317
I'm going to cut off some of this by going to the Issaquah park and ride. I will be there at 8:30am which road/route will you be taking through Issaquah?
Foo
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:20 pm
Joined: 27 Jul 2007Posts: 583
Cool. I'll see folks at 8. I'll just be along for the ride 'till noon-ish. Gotta make sure I'm back at home well before 6.
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