Post soft serve, Emily would say it was worth it.Ī little further down the trail was our high point for the entire route, which also marked the beginning of a fun descent towards Lake Crescent. Cheap soft serve and a warm meal had us rambling down an old ATV track south towards Highway 101 and cursing that decision on the steep climb back up to rejoin the route. The decision was made early on to detour off the Adventure Route to Granny’s Cafe. While totally doable on a gravel bike, we were happy to be riding mountain bikes to make the climbs a little easier and the descents more fun. The Adventure Route portion of the ride follows a long flowy section of smooth singletrack that weaves its way between the Elwha River and Lake Crescent. In 2011, as part of the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act, both dams were removed, and the river has been making the slow transition back to its original state. The Elwha River, which was dammed in the early 1900s, blocked the migration of salmon and wreaked havoc on the lands of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Our route heads west away from downtown Port Angeles via the ODT, skirting through residential areas and eventually linking up with a paved multi-use pathway. Plus, I never feel more badass than I do when I ride in or out of town on a loaded bike.

There’s nothing better than rolling off a ferry and knowing you’re on route. The route we followed jumps between the two but takes advantage of the ODT right from the start, heading west out of Port Angeles. One of our first discoveries is that the Olympic Adventure Route is an off-road alternative to the paved Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) between Elwha River and Lake Crescent. I prefer to get ahead of the inevitable and provide information to answer questions like, “Where do most people park? How do people get from A to B? Can I ride this on a gravel bike?” It seems the most sought-after information has nothing to do with the space between the beginning and end of the route, and instead focuses on preparation and logistics-and for good reason.

Balancing route beta and the opportunity for discovery is a constant battle, but there’s no substitution for a thoughtfully curated beginning, middle, and end. When I’m planning routes, I’m of the mind that simpler is always better. Plus, the route I planned starts right after arriving in Washington, instead of the official start just outside of town. A one-way ticket costs about $28 USD per person with a bicycle, which is expensive if you’re used to BC Ferries prices, but it’s a beautiful way to get from downtown Victoria to Port Angeles. With our van parked and bikes packed, Emily and I made a quick, but necessary bakery stop for breakfast, grabbed some US cash from the bank, and rolled down to the Black Ball ferry terminal in Victoria Harbour. Getting to Port Angeles from the Canadian side of the border is straightforward for anyone living on Vancouver Island, and it’s even easier when you’ve got a brother living in downtown Victoria. So, I turned to other trip reports and online maps to piece together a variation that only required us to retrace our route when absolutely necessary. Most people appear to be riding it as an out-and-back or some slight variation, but I wasn’t sold on the idea. I love a great route, and Emily loves a ferry ride. Plus, when you really think about it, some of the best foods are loop-shaped, including donuts, pineapple rings, and fuzzy peaches.Įmily and I have been talking about getting down to Washington to ride the Olympic Adventure Route for a while now. You’ll rarely catch me riding back on a trail or road I set off on unless completely necessary, and I even try to make different loops while commuting around town or riding out to some of my favourite swimming spots. From a bikepacking perspective, they simplify logistics, diversify the riding, and often result in a more fluid experience.

Cross country detours