General Trail Information (Revised 1/2009)
The Olympic Discovery Trail is a non-motorized recreational
corridor open to walkers, runners, cyclists, and equestrians. It is planned to run from Port Townsend on
the northeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula to Forks on the west, a total
distance of about 150 miles. Wherever possible, the trail utilizes the rail-bed
of the now abandoned route of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific
Railroad. Originally used for hauling
freight and timber products from Port Angeles and points west to Port Townsend,
the route passes through some of the most beautiful and scenic areas of the
northern Olympic Peninsula.
Currently there are over six miles of trail completed in Jefferson
County and close to 30 miles in Clallam County. Additional trail mileage is being constructed by work parties of many
volunteers and property owners adjacent to the route. The goal is to continue
the trail to eventually connect with completed sections in both Jefferson and
Clallam Counties
Jefferson County
In Jefferson County the
county and volunteer constructed trail currently runs six miles
beginning at the Port of Port Townsend’s marina just west of
downtown Port Townsend where drinking water and restroom facilities
are available.The route rises gently past the Port Townsend paper mill west to State
Route 20 where it crosses under the original railway bridge
underpass and also connects with the highway. It continues westerly on a
recently completed section, under South Discovery Road, to the Cape
George Road trailhead and parking area. Beyond this point the trail
winds down from the high point on the Quimper Peninsula toward
Discovery Bay. It meets Edwards Rd. approximately one-half mile beyond the Cape George Rd.
trailhead, where it turns south and continues on another recently
completed section, and an acquired Pope logging road approximately a
mile and a half until meeting the Douglas Way right-of-way. The trail parallels Douglas
easterly on its south edge about one-quarter mile until reaching
South Discovery Road. Some trail rights-of-way are in place beyond this point, but
negotiattions are currently under way to extend the trail to the
Four-Corners area (the intersection of State Highway 20 and Four
Corners Road), so that this is currently the end of the completed
trail. The official trail route location has not yet been determined past the Four
Corners intersection. At the intersection, a right turn onto Route 20 will lead to
US Highway 101 at the head of Discovery Bay. From that point, the
Jefferson/Clallam County line can be reached by continuing on 101
and following sections of the Old Gardiner Road. The construction of the ODT
on some if the abandoned sections of the Old Gardiner Road will lead
to the county line at Diamond Point Rd. on the Miller
Peninsula.
Clallam County
In Clallam County the trail currently extends 27
miles from Blyn (Mile
Post 27) to downtown Port Angeles (MP 0).
It is not completed between Blyn and the Jefferson County line.
Access at the east-end of the trail is at the area of the Jamestown
S'Klallam tribal offices. Access at the west-end of the trail in
Port Angeles is in front of the Red Lion Hotel on the waterfront in
downtown Port Angeles. With the exception of the eastern side of the
city of Sequim (between N. Sequim Bay Avenue and Carrie Blake Park),
the trail is now complete between Port Angeles and Blyn.
Topography
The
trail is relatively flat but drops into and climbs out of several
creek drainages. On the Quimper Peninsula, it rises from sea-level in Port Townsend to
an altitude of about 225 ft. at the Hiway 20 underpass as it crosses
over to the Discovery Bay side of the peninsula. At the route will descend to
sea-level again at the head of the Discovery Bay. From there to the
Jefferson/Clallam County line, it remains at a relatively constant
elevation and never exceeds about 150 ft. in altitude through the
Gardiner area on the Miller Peninsula.
In Clallam County, the valleys of McDonnell Creek (MP12.5), Siebert Creek(MP9.5) and Bagley Creek (MP6) have elevation changes of 75-125 feet.
Water
Drinking water is available along the trail at the PA city pier (MM0), Carrie
Blake Park (MP20) and Railroad Bridge Park (MP17). Also, Sequim Bay State Park
and Blyn have water available. Further east, in Jefferson County, water can be found at the
head of Discovery Bay, and again at the Four Corners intersection,
and finally at the eastern terminus of the trail in Port Townsend at
the Marina.
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at the Port Angeles city pier, Railroad Bridge Park and Carrie Blake
Parks in Sequim. Sanicans are also available at Mileposts Robin Hill Park and the Rayonier Mill parking trail access point in Port Angeles. There are restroom facilities located in Blyn at the Casino complex, and at
the head of Discovery Bay, as well as the Four Corners intersection and at the Port Townsend marina. There is a Sanican located
at the Cape George trail access parking lot as well.
Hotels
Hotels are available in Sequim, Port Angeles, and Port Townsend. See “Lodging” under the “Planning a Visit” tab on the home page.
Camping
Camping is available at Sequim Bay State Park (360-683-4235) (MP 25) and at Dungeness County Park (360-683-5847) 2 ½ miles north of where the trail intersects Kitchen-Dick Road (MP14). Camping is also available at; Conestoga Quarters RV Park (ConestogaQuarters.com , (360) 452-4637) on Highway 101, Port Angeles/Sequim KOA (PortAngelesKOA.com (360) 457-5916) on Highway 101. To reach either of these private campgrounds you will need to leave the trail around MP10 and take Old Olympic Highway to Highway 101. There is also a tent camping in Port Angeles at Al’s RV Park at 521 N Lee’s Creek Road (457-9844). This place is located near the east Safeway in Port Angeles and to reach it you need to exit the trail at Morse Creek (MP40 or the Rayonier Mill Site (MP2).
In Port Townsend, camping is available at Fort Worden State Park (888) CAMPOUT). Also, to reach Old Fort
Townsend State Park, exit the Larry Scott Trail at the Highway 20 underpass and travel south on Hwy. 20 approximately 1.5 miles to a
left turn onto Old Fort Townsend Rd.
The land adjacent to the trail is all private and as
yet, no camping is available next to the trail.
Trail surface
The trail surface is asphalt or chip-seal and suitable for skinny tire bikes for 95% of the distance. Hard-packed gravel covers the remaining 5% of the trail.
Bike Shops (See our webpage for more
information)
Port Townsend - PT Cyclery -252 Tyler St.,
Port Townsend, WA 98368, (360) 385-6470
Williwaw - 123 Frederick St., Port Townsend, WA 98368,
(360) 379-8809
The Genetic Link - 20 Colwell St., Port
Hadlock, WA 98339, (360)385-5115
Sequim- Mike’s Bikes, 150 W
Sequim Bay Rd., Sequim, WA 98382, (360) 681-3868,
www.mikes-bikes.net has some area maps on line.
Port Angeles- Beckett’s Bike Shop,124 W
1st St # B, Port Angeles, WA 98362, (360) 452-0842
www.beckettsbikeshop.com
Sound Bikes and
Kayaks, 120 E Front St., Port Angeles, WA 98362,(360) 457-1240,
www.soundbikeskayaks.com
