Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
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Olympics to Cascades Adventure Bike Tour
Trip Overview
The Olympics to Cascades Adventure combines the best off-road riding in Western Washington with the most stunning, jaw-dropping scenery of the Pacific Northwest. The trip closely follows the Cross-Washington Mountain Bike Route, the brainchild of cycling enthusiast and Northwest native Troy Hopwood. This is one of our new Adventure Tours featuring camping, a staff cook, van to carry gear, and self-sufficient riding on your own (or self-rented) bike ... on your choice of a mountain, gravel, touring or cross-bike.
You begin the trip at the far western edge of the Olympic Peninsula. From there, set off on a 330-mile journey from the temperate rainforests of the western Olympic range to the dry slopes of the eastern Cascades on dirt, single- and doubletrack, and occasional pavement. The breathtaking views along the way — of mountains and forests and waterways — will take your mind off the challenging climbs and occasional hike-a-bikes.
The route pieces together a number of popular mountain bike trails and historic rail-to-trail routes. Along the way, you traverse the Olympic Adventure and Olympic Discovery Trails, a portion of the Burke-Gilman, the Tolt Pipeline, and the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. In addition, you pedal along the Palouse to Cascades Trail (formerly the Iron Horse/John Wayne Pioneer Trail), following the historic Milwaukee Railroad that once extended 2,300 miles to Chicago.
Read more about our Adventure Tours here.
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
The trip begins with an 8 a.m. Meet’n’Greet at the Courtyard by Marriot in Tukwila, where we load our bikes, bags, and bodies into the van. Then drive four hours to the start of your ride on the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula, crossing the famous Tacoma Narrows bridge en route. After arriving at the Pacific Coast, you have lunch and then stretch your legs with a 3.5-mile round-trip hike from Rialto Beach to the iconic Hole-In-Wall and back. At your first campsite, you set up your tent, have a brief orientation meeting to discuss trip logistics, and enjoy a tasty dinner together with the group.
Begin your ride at First Beach on the Quileute Reservation. After celebrating the initiation of your adventure by dipping your tires in the Pacific Ocean, you start off with an easy pedal along asphalt. Don’t let this fool you, though — soon enough the dirt roads and climbing will commence! As you pass to the north of Forks, the town made famous by the “Twilight” series, keep your eyes out for vampires and werewolves! Breathe it all in — the fragrant trees, the fresh air, the entire experience. End the day’s ride adjacent to the south shore of the Sol Duc River at a primitive campground in the Olympic National Forest.
With 63 miles of pedaling and 4,300 feet of climbing, today is a whopper of a day! The route encompasses the 33-mile-long Olympic Adventure Trail, well known for its 25 miles of amazing, flowy single and doubletrack through old-growth forests adorned with moss. As you hug the north side of Lake Crescent, make sure to stop for a mid-ride dip in the crystal-clear waters of the Devil’s Punchbowl swimming hole. Nearing the town of Port Angeles, enjoy views of the Olympics Mountains off to your right and vistas of Canada across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to your left. Tonight, you relax in the relatively luxurious offerings of a KOA campground.
The morning starts off with easy riding through the Dungeness Valley along the paved Olympic Discovery Trail. A few miles into the ride, turn south and begin the climbing. Today’s route deviates slightly from the official Cross-Washington Mountain Bike Route. Be grateful for the detour, or else you’d be climbing an additional 2,600 ft on top of your already 5,200-ft elevation gain. At the end of the ride, stop off at the brewery in Quilcene before finishing the short distance to camp. After today’s punishing ride, you deserve a refreshing beverage!
Today you travel in the region between the Olympic and Cascade ranges via bicycle and boat. Arriving at the Puget Sound, the large body of water separating the Olympic Peninsula from the mainland, you pedal across the floating Hood Canal Bridge. Enjoy the ride through historic Port Gamble, but don’t stay too long, as you have a ferry to catch! After crossing the Sound, navigate along commuter trails and small parks. Although you pass through more urban areas, including the northern Seattle suburbs, you won’t see much of civilization … as you ride an impressive amount of dirt and single track. Tonight, you dine together at one of the McMenamin restaurants, compliments of Discovery.
Today is a much-deserved rest day, and McMenamins Anderson School is the perfect place for a day off the bike! Enjoy the amenities here in the Seattle suburb of Bothell. McMenamins is a popular family-owned chain of brewpubs, breweries, music venues, hotels, and theater pubs in the Pacific Northwest. Many of the locations are in rehabilitated historic properties. Anderson School is no exception! Built in 1931, the 5-acre property served as Bothell’s first junior high. The McMenamin family converted the property to a place that makes you happy to revisit junior high. Go for a swim in the saltwater lagoon swimming pool, roam the property’s gorgeous gardens, catch a live music event or a movie, or eat at one of the many on-property restaurants and bars. If you’re itching to get off campus, rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and spend a lazy hour or two on the nearby Sammamish River. Rest up, though, as tomorrow you have many short’n’steep climbs that will challenge our legs. You are on your own for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
After a day of rest, you are fresh for the final two days of riding. Leave McMenamins and enjoy the easy-going, paved Sammamish River Trail. Soon enough you connect to the Tolt Pipeline Trail, where you encounter steep gravel and dirt grades that require even the strongest of riders to hike their bikes. Give your legs a break when you join the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, a rail-to-trail conversion with a smooth surface and an easy grade. Pass though Snoqualmie, where David Lynch filmed the quirky 1990s “Twin Peaks” TV series. Consider taking a short detour to Snoqualmie Falls, featured in the show’s introduction, or visit Twede’s Cafe for a slice of their famous Twin Peaks Cherry Pie. At Rattlesnake Lake, stop for a pleasant listen at the water drum garden before beginning your pedal along the Palouse to Cascades Trail. Though this trail is railroad grade, you work your way up toward Snoqualmie Pass to get onto the other side of the Cascade range. Along the way, pass waterfalls and trestles. Keep your eyes peeled for rock climbers who frequently scale the trailside granite. Tonight’s primitive campground sits along a river, among a towering canopy of fragrant Douglas fir, western hemlock, and cedar.
Today is your final day of riding. Continue along the Palouse to Cascades Trail. Ten miles into the ride, turn on your lights as you enter the 2.3-mile-long tunnel that cuts through the mountainside at Snoqualmie Pass. When you pop back into daylight, you are greeted by the beautiful waters of Keechelus Lake. After relishing your final miles along today’s route, congratulate yourself, as you have now made it to the east side of the Cascade range! You end the ride in Rosyln in the early afternoon, where you enjoy a round of celebratory beverages and snacks before piling into the van and shuttling back over the pass to our starting point. Return to the Seattle area in the early evening where we say goodbye.
Map
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
7 nights on the trail (5 camping, 2 indoors); 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners (you are on your own for all meals on the rest day); prepackaged snacks to take along on the ride; two leaders (one on-the-bike guide, one cook); gear portage; van support for emergencies; and detailed Ride With GPS route directions. WHAT TO BRING: You supply your own camping gear, including a tent, mattress, and sleeping bag. A camping chair is provided for you. We provide a more detailed list six weeks before the departure date. You also need to supply your own bicycle. A gravel, cross, mountain, or touring bike will suffice, though we recommend a minimum tire size of 2”. If you wish, you can coordinate a rental with EVO. You must carry your own pump, spares, patch kit, and front light for passage through the 2.3-mile-long Snoqualmie Tunnel. Also have room on your bike to carry a lunch, snacks, water, and various clothing layers. You should be proficient in basic bike maintenance, including fixing flats and cleaning/oiling chains. There are bike shops along the route that can assist with more extensive repairs, if necessary.
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
7 nights on the trail (5 camping, 2 indoors); 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners (you are on your own for all meals on the rest day); prepackaged snacks to take along on the ride; two leaders (one on-the-bike guide, one cook); gear portage; van support for emergencies; and detailed Ride With GPS route directions. WHAT TO BRING: You supply your own camping gear, including a tent, mattress, and sleeping bag. A camping chair is provided for you. We provide a more detailed list six weeks before the departure date. You also need to supply your own bicycle. A gravel, cross, mountain, or touring bike will suffice, though we recommend a minimum tire size of 2”. If you wish, you can coordinate a rental with EVO. You must carry your own pump, spares, patch kit, and front light for passage through the 2.3-mile-long Snoqualmie Tunnel. Also have room on your bike to carry a lunch, snacks, water, and various clothing layers. You should be proficient in basic bike maintenance, including fixing flats and cleaning/oiling chains. There are bike shops along the route that can assist with more extensive repairs, if necessary.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
The Quileute Nation invites you to share in the bounty of their land, and explore their rich history and vibrant culture – a culture that thrives here in their daily lives. Whether you’re an intrepid explorer in search of a base camp while you trek through the local Olympic wilderness, or a fan of Stephanie Meyer’s "Twilight" series on the hunt for a real-life experience of Jacob’s stomping grounds, this resort is the perfect place to find your bliss.
During the summer when the river is low water, tubing or float runs are available.
Interpretive programs are presented in the amphitheater during the summer.
Amenities: Picnic areas, playground, basketball court, tennis court, toilet, trash container, fresh water. Local attractions: Quilcene shops and restaurants, Linger Longer Marina and Quilcene Bay, Olympic Mountains hiking and biking, Mount Walker hiking and view points, Quilcene River fishing, Quilcene Museum.
Escape the everyday at the North Shore Lagoon; swimming and South Seas rum drinks await. We invite you to explore the reimagined space around you—all 5.41 acres!
Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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