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From: Jonathan Subject: Olympic Peninsula: Donkey Creek/Quinault Ridge Ride The Quinault Ridge lies on the western side of the Olympic Peninsula, beginning about ten miles south of Lake Quinault and running for about twenty north toward the Colonel Bob Wilderness. I did not make that name up. The Quinault Ridge is not in the cannon of mountain bike destinations, for that reason the cycling is blissfully lonely. This ride begins in the small town of Nielton, five miles south of Lake Quinault, 42 miles north of Aberdeen on the Olympic Peninsula. Why Nielton? Well, that's where my folks live for one thing and I get free meals there. There's not too much to Nielton. As you approach town, you're informed that you're entering a "Congested Area" and are admonished to slow down to 45 mph. You'll find a small general store and a few houses with monster lawns. Other services can be found in Amanda Park, on 101 near the western outlet of Lake Quinault and along the South Shore Road, where you'll find several lodges and grocery stores. There's also car camping at various points on the lake. So hop on the bike already and noodle 10 1/2 miles south from Nielton along US 101 to the junction of the Donkey Creek Road, USFS Rd. 22. Traffic can be heavy on 101during the weekends between Memorial and Labor Day, and the shoulders are skimpy in places. Watch out especially for behemoth RVs. Ma and Pa Kettle usually drive a Geo Metro and tend to forget how big an RV is. Outside of tourist season, especially during the week, the road is fairly empty. Logging trucks provide some excitement, but the drivers are usually polite. At the Donkey Creek Road turn left. On your right you'll notice the Promised Land, a picnic area sponsored by the lumbering giant Rayonier. (Yes, pun intended. You had to ask?) Beware of the prophet who would lead you there, the Promised Land had been closed for some time now. By the way, I did not make that name up either. Follow USFS Rd. 22 along 8 paved miles to the junction of FR 2302. Turn left and pass the Humptulips Work Station of the USFS. Humptulips is a real name too. Pavement ends a few miles up the road. You're in a clear-cut here. Get a load of the size of those stumps. Back in the forest, proceed over the West Fork of the Humptulips River, stop, and look down into the gorge. Just beyond the bridge, turn left onto FR 2280, in 3/4 miles make a right and grind up the hill. From the West Fork bridge to the Quinault summit, you'll gain about 2000 feet in 6 miles. I once again rekindled my love affair with my granny gear. The Quinault summit is at 2400ft. You have options. Carry your bike across the boulders that block the road that veers off to the NE and follow a deteriorating track to views of Lake Quinault. I've seen fresh bear scat - - still steaming - - on this stretch. The road to the SE, blocked by a locked gate, follows the ridge for another seven miles or so, it's still on my list of explorations. From the summit, check your brakes and then scream down the Quinault Ridge Rd., FS 2258, just over seven miles to US 101. From this junction back to Nielton, it's about five miles. If you left your vehicle at Donkey Creek, go south here and find your car in about five miles. Want more? Of course you do. You can ride around Lake Quinault, about a 38 mile round trip from Neilton. The road is washed out on the north shore, but you can carry your steel steed over that part. There are also miles of little used USFS road in the area to tour on, most of it constructed with your tax dollars to subsidize the logging industry. There is still some ancient forest, and lots of second and third growth, ranging in age from seventy years plus to clear-cut. It's very instructive, much of it is very beautiful. From: Michelle Subject: ride report: Lower Big Quilcene &; Gold Creek Lower Big Quilcene: This is an excellent trail on the Olympic Peninsula - approx. 2 hr. by car and ferry. Its a very well-maintained singletrack trail approx. 6 miles in length. It follows the river until about the last half mile, which is a semi-steep ascent to a road and a hiking trailhead. The ride appropriate for a strong intermediate rider. Pick up a forest service map or stop at the Quilcene Ranger station for directions on how to get there - - there are many logging roads at the lower end of the trail. The owner of a local bike shop said that he is working with the Forest Service because many of the logging roads are scheduled to close this year and many of them will be converted to mountain bike trails!! I don't know if this ride is listed in any MTB books. Gold Creek: This trail is near Sequim - its a poorly-maintained singletrack approx. 6 miles in length. It is extremely steep (20% grade in places), has many switchbacks, and has rock and root outcropping. Parts of the trail are 8 - 10 inches wide with no room for error - ie. you hope to fall on the steep uphill and not over the steep downhill (I endo'd down the steep downhill). The ride is appropriate for strong advanced riders who aren't afraid to eat dirt. This ride is listed in the North Cascades mountain biking book. |
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