Olympic Peninsula E-Bike Tour

Seattle to Lake Quinault

We pick you up at our recommended tour hotel near the SeaTac Airport, the Hampton Inn and Suites Seattle-Airport/ 28th Ave at 8:30 AM and begin our adventure trek into the beautiful Olympic Peninsula. Once we depart the Seattle area, our van carries us through rolling farmland that gradually changes into undulating forest. After about three hours of driving, we reach Lake Quinault Lodge, a historic lodge set on the shore of Lake Quinault. Stepping out into the fresh air, we enjoy our first taste of the verdant forests of the Olympic Peninsula.

The name “Quinault” is an anglicized version of kʷínayɬ, the name of a village located where the Quinault river meets the sea, and today called Taholah. For eons, the land of the Olympic Peninsula has been the home of a number of tribes of the Salish people. Today, The Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) consists of the Quinault and Queets tribes along with the descendants of five other coastal tribes: the Hoh, Quileute, Chehalis, Chinook, and the Cowlitz.

We enjoy lunch in the lodge dining room and afterwards take a short hike to see the world’s largest spruce tree, with an immense trunk that stretches high into the sky. Later, we check into our rooms and you have free time to explore one of the many trails near the lodge, enjoy a pontoon boat ride on the lake (extra charge) or simply relax on the expansive lodge lawn, or the inviting lakeside beach. We enjoy dinner in the lodge dining room as we all get to know each other better.

ACCOMMODATION : Lake Quinault Lodge

MEALS INCLUDED : Lunch, Dinner

Morning Ride, then on to the Coast

After breakfast in the lodge dining room, we begin our ride on a paved road that turns to dirt after about five miles. Soon we are following the Quinault River. We pass gigantic trees and a magical forest of ferns and moss and stop to appreciate two different waterfalls that tumble down from side canyons into the river. The pristine waters of the Quinault River flow some 69 miles from the peaks of the Olympics and is fed by a number of snowfields and glaciers.

After 11 miles we cross the river on a bridge and begin our ride westerly, towards the sea. At the end of this lovely ride we stop by the edge of Lake Quinault for a picnic lunch.

Afterwards, we board the van and drive to the coast where we will settle into Kalalach Lodge for the night which is situated in a stunning location where beach and surf welcome explorers.

• Biking: 22 miles. 21.6 miles · +712 ft / -691 ft Gentle grade. Some short ascents and descents.
• Walking: Beach walking once we arrive at our accommodation.

ACCOMMODATION : Kalaloch Lodge

MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ride the Olympic Discovery Trail

After breakfast we start cycling on the Olympic Discovery Trail just outside of Sappho. First up is a 10-mile paved ride along the seldom driven Mary Clark Road through brilliant emerald forest. If road riding isn’t your style, take the sag-wagon to the next trailhead and rejoin the rest of the group on a paved, designated bike trail. Soon we’re on the Spruce Railroad Trail, one of the most beautiful rails-to-trails in the country. This railroad line was built in order to transport spruce lumber destined for use in the construction of World War 1 airplanes. However, by the time it was finished in 1919, the war was over. Following the shore of glacially-carved Lake Crescent, towering peaks surround the dazzling clear sapphire waters. The trail passes through two tunnels adding novelty to our ride. Near one of these, if the weather is warm, we may set the bikes aside momentarily and take the short stroll out to the Devils Punch Bowl for a refreshing dip in the lake.

We finish the day with a shuttle to the charming oceanfront town of Port Angeles just 18 miles across the water from Victoria, British Columbia.

• Biking: Distance: 20.5 miles all paved designated trail + optional 9.3 miles paved road, no shoulder but very little traffic. Elevation + 971; - 753  / plus optional +132; - 463.

ACCOMMODATION : Red Lion Inn, Port Angeles Harbor

MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hurricane Ridge and Afternoon Ride

After an early breakfast we drive south into the mountains and the Olympic National Park to visit Hurricane Ridge. As the name suggests, this is a windswept topography with endless views in all directions. In the distance you can see Vancouver Island while closer in are the majestic Olympic mountains that inspired the designation of this National Park in 1938. There are several trails to explore, ranging from a half mile to a couple of miles, all boasting dramatic views.

We return to Port Angeles and on the way, if time allows, we stop at the Olympic National Park Visitor’s Center before continuing on to lunch in town. Our afternoon ride begins from our hotel parking lot, heading east on another beautiful section of the Olympic Discovery Trail. This is an out and back ride that leaves the coast and heads inland towards the Elwha River. We cross the river at the half-way point and learn about the two dams that were removed between 2011-2014, making this the largest dam removal project in world history.  It’s an inspiring story of recovery and regeneration as salmon have returned to spawn and coastal diversity has increased. We trace our route back with ever-new perspectives until we arrive again in Port Angeles and our hotel.

• Biking: Distance 14 miles · +669 ft / - 669 ft.

ACCOMMODATION : Red Lion Inn, Port Angeles Harbor

MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Port Angeles to Port Townsend

After breakfast we mount our bikes and ride directly onto the Olympic Discovery Trail, going easterly along the coast. The trail turns inland after a few miles, and we ride through farm fields of lavender interspersed with evergreen forests. After 16 miles we stop to visit the informative Dungeness River Nature Center. This is a U.S. Audubon Center that is the result of partnerships with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society and the National Audubon Society.

The Center is involved in the restoration and stewardship of the Dungeness watershed and features an excellent exhibit room where you can learn about the incredible diversity found in the Dungeness watershed as well as the people who have utilized the resources of the area for millennia.

Our ride continues through the town of Sequim (pronounced "SqWim" like 'swim'), unique in that unlike the rest of the Olympic Peninsula, it only gets approximately 17 inches of rain on average, compared to 6-7 times that not far away. We pass over 9 bridges on today’s ride, four of which are restored railroad trestles dating to 1914-15. These are sections of the abandoned Milwaukee, Chicago, Pacific and St. Paul lines, making for gentle grades. Our ride ends at Blyn Crossing and we load up the bikes. As we drive toward Port Townsend, we pass the southern tip of Discovery Bay. The bay was named in 1792 by Captain George Vancouver, after his ship, the HMS Discovery. On a mission to explore the northwest, Captain Vancouver sailed these waters, including the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. He is responsible for giving colonial names to many geographical features in the region including the Hood Canal, the Dungeness River, Port Townsend and the Olympic Mountains.

Soon we arrive in the quaint and delightful Port Townsend. The Port Townsend Historic Landmark District was established in 1977 and is one of only three surviving Victorian-era seaports in the nation. Located near where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets Admiralty Inlet, this was the home to a band of the Klallam Tribe as well as smaller groups from other tribes. The first colonial settlers arrived in 1851 and it wasn’t long before Port Townsend became a bustling seaport. It has a colorful history and went through several boom and bust phases. Today its stunning location on the water combined with Victorian-era architecture make it a real treasure.

It’s also a busy tourist town and easily explored on your own. Today you find your own restaurant for lunch which is not included. Afterwards you may want to visit the fascinating town museum and drop into some of the many shops, or relax with a drink overlooking the water. We reunite a couple of hours later to check into our evening’s hotel. At our final dinner together, we share stories and tall tales of our adventures.

• Biking: Distance 27 miles, paved trail with elevation: +1200 ft, -1160 ft.

ACCOMMODATION : Bishop Hotel

MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Dinner

Larry Scott Trail and Return to SeaTac

This morning we ride from the hotel to the waterfront trailhead of the Larry Scott trail. Thanks to the vision of a local trails advocacy group, the first section of this trail was opened in 1991. Since then it’s been expanded and has become part of the Olympic Discovery Trail. This is a lovely ride through forests of hardwoods and conifers that are a feast for the senses. Our out and back ride is the perfect way to end our cycling journey.

We take you to lunch at a nearby cidery where we toast our time together. Then we drive about two hours to return you to the tour hotel at SeaTac.

• Biking: 14.6 miles paved out and back trail to/from Port Townsend.

MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch