2025 Traveler's Journal Presentations - Olympic Discovery Trail

Spruce Railroad Trail

This is a beautiful trailhead located at the east end of the 4 mile long Spruce Railroad Trail. It has designated accessible parking spots and accessible restrooms (pit toilets). It’s a great starting point for heading west to explore the ODT along the shore of Lake Crescent and experience the natural wonder of the Olympic Peninsula. West of the trailhead about a mile the ODT passes through a long tunnel, so you may wish to have a headlight or flashlight along. Cyclists are asked to dismount and walk their bikes through the tunnel, so take care and slow down if you’re in a motorized chair.

Elwha River Bridge

This trailhead is not much more than a large parking area along the east bank of the Elwha River. There aren’t any designated accessible parking spots and there are no accessible restrooms. It’s a great place to head off on the ODT if you don’t need those amenities. It’s also a great place to see the Elwha River and the memorable double-decker bridge, where the dedicated Olympic Discovery Trail hangs suspended below the bridge used by automobile traffic.

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Port Angeles Waterfront

Known as the “Waterfront Trail” the ODT emerges here from the east at the City Pier, at the foot of Lincoln St. It is a very popular portion of the ODT. There is ample parking, restrooms, designated handicapped parking, and many shops and restaurants in the nearby downtown area. The trail is paved and flat for several miles in both directions.

Morse Creek Trailhead

This trailhead is entered directly from Hwy 101 at the bottom of the Morse Ck valley, at Strait View Dr. There is a small gravel parking lot on the right; the trail entrance heading west is directly opposite the parking lot across the road. There is no designated handicapped parking; there is a port-a-potty visible just east of the parking lot. It is a ramped walkway, gaining access to the long trestle crossing Morse Ck. The trail is paved and flat all the way to the Port Angeles waterfront — about 4 miles along the beach adjacent to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Heading east from Morse Ck, the trail climbs steeply out of the parking lot for 0.5 miles to the Deer Park Scenic Gateway Center and is not recommended for disabled users.

Deer Park Scenic Gateway

This access point is opposite the Deer Park Cinemas on Hwy 101. When westbound on Hwy 101 exit the highway just past the cinemas at Buchanan Dr, on the right, then turn left on Cedar Dr into the Scenic Gateway Center. Heading east, exit the highway to the north (Caution: It will be a left turn across oncoming traffic) at Buchanan Dr, west of the cinemas, at the top of the Morse Ck hill. Turn left onto Cedar Dr and take the second left, signed “Scenic Overlook Ahead”. There is ample parking here, with restrooms and designated handicapped parking. The trail to the west is not recommended for disabled users. It drops steeply down into Morse Ck valley for a distance of 0.5 miles. Heading east, however, the trail is flat and level until the steep hill that approaches the covered bridge at the Bagley Ck ravine. After dropping into the ravine and climbing the east side, the trail is relatively flat for about 4 miles.

Siebert Creek Trailhead

This access point is not recommended for disabled users traveling in either direction. The parking area is located on Wild Currant Wy off the Old Olympic Hwy, but descends very steeply down to the creek level, crosses the pedestrian bridge, and then ascends the far side of the valley very steeply again. There is ample paved parking here, but no toilets, and no designated handicapped parking spots.

Robin Hill Farm

Accessed by either Dryke and Pinnell Rds via US Hwy 101, or by Vautier and Pinnell Rds off the Old Olympic Highway, this park has nearly 200 acres of forestland, meadows, 3.5 miles of hiking trails, and 2.5 miles of equestrian trails. These compacted gravel and dirt trails within the park are 2 – 5 feet wide, and some portions are crossed with tree roots, are steep, and may not be appropriate for handicapped use. There is ample paved parking, a restroom, designated handicapped parking and easy access to the ODT at the Pinnell Rd entrance. The trail is level and flat leaving the park in both directions.

Railroad Bridge Park

This is the site of the Dungeness River crossing and one of the first sections of the ODT to be established. It features a beautifully restored, low-level railroad trestle over 700 ft long. At the Dungeness River Nature Center there is ample paved parking with restrooms, a picnic area, and designated handicapped parking. There is an access ramp that allows both disabled users and tandem cyclists to travel directly up onto the trestle deck. The trail is flat as it leaves the park in both directions, passing by the Audubon Center on its way eastward, and over the river on its route west toward Port Angeles. The Dungeness River Nature Center is well worth a visit.

Carrie Blake Park

This is a large, flat park in the city of Sequim, with good access off of Blake Ave from Washington St. There is ample parking with restrooms and designated handicapped parking spaces. The trail enters and leaves the park on level ground and there are several other trails within the park, some paved. Use caution when exiting the park to the west and within the city of Sequim as the trail uses crosswalks and some sidewalks. The trail is flat throughout the city and to the next access point.

Sequim Bay State Park

The park’s access is directly off US Hwy 101, about 2 miles west of Blyn and 4 miles east of Sequim. There are restrooms and designated handicapped parking spaces. The paved trail descends and rises in both directions around a gully as it passes through the park. All roads throughout the park’s camping and picnicking areas are also paved. The trail is flat in both directions as it leaves the park, but begins to rise within 700 ft of the approach to Whitefeather Wy toward Sequim. There are slight rises and descents as it comes into Sequim; it then flattens out as it approaches the next access point.

Blyn Pullout

This access point is along the north side of US Hwy 101, opposite Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Headquarters in Blyn. There is ample parking with designated handicapped parking, as well as restrooms. Access to the trail is at the west end of the parking area. The trail eastward runs around the tribal parking area and continues for about 1 mile to its current end along Old Blyn Hwy. To the west it slopes gently down to the Old Blyn Hwy. It then uses the road surface for about 0.5 miles before the separated paved trail resumes. Use extreme caution for the first 500 ft due to traffic on the road. Continue straight past the turn to access Hwy 101, then another 1000 ft to the marked trail on the left. The trail is level for about 0.5 miles, then begins climbing gently for 0.75 miles to Dawley Rd. It continues on the lightly traveled road surface for 0.5 miles to Sequim Bay State Park.

Cape George Trailhead

Located on the south side of Cape George Road about 0.75 miles west of Discovery Road, this large gravel parking lot is identified as a Larry Scott Trail parking lot with standard-sized restrooms, but no designated handicapped parking spaces. The trail from Port Townsend approaches along east edge of the parking area. The trail to the south descends at a moderate grade from the trailhead, and then rises slightly and falls again within 0.75 miles of the parking area. It is then relatively level south for another 1.5 miles. The trail then turns east along Douglas Wy, where it descends toward S. Discovery Rd. The trail continues as it turns south again along S. Discovery Rd and becomes somewhat narrow and winding with a rougher surface. The completed trail currently ends at the planned crossing of S. Discovery Rd. The temporary trail route continues on the road toward the Four Corners intersection with State Hwy 20, but is not recommended for disabled travel. There are no shoulders on the road, and traffic travels in excess of 45 mph.

Port Townsend Boat Haven

Enter the boatyard from Haines St and park along the fence near the water, just south of the large craft outhaul area. There are restrooms and designated handicapped parking next to the trail entrance. Identified as both the ODT and The Larry Scott Trail, it begins on the water side of the fence and heads south along the edge of the harbor. The trail climbs very gently past the mill and for about 3.5 miles to the next trailhead. There are moderate slopes approaching the underpass of Hwy 20.

Jeff Selby, Jefferson County
Joined: 2008

PTC Focus: Jeff’s current interests are the completion of the ODT in Jefferson County and the annual PTC fundraiser. The connection of the current end of the Larry Scott Trail, the first 7 & 1/2 miles of the ODT from Port Townsend, to the southern end of Discovery Bay is a priority on which there has been great progress made in recent years. His efforts there will hopefully result in a safe route for trail users in the next few years in order to bypass a very dangerous section of State Route 20 between Discovery Bay and Port Townsend. “I’m thrilled to be involved in the effort to complete the ODT over this difficult terrain to connect to Clallam County.”

Background & Hobbies: Born and raised in the Pacific NW, Jeff enjoys both road and mountain biking, skiing, and hiking.

In Jeff’s own words: “Having grown up in Port Angeles, I’ve hiked most of the trails on the Olympic Peninsula, skied on its mountains and lakes, and cycled many miles on the northern Olympic Peninsula. I’ve traveled to all seven continents, but can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather live and play than the beautiful Pacific Northwest.”

Erik Rohrer, Forks
Joined: 2021

PTC Focus: Trail Completion & Maintenance. Erik, an active hiker, biker and sailor, has been an attorney and elected judge in Clallam County for the past thirty years.

Current: Trail Adopter (along with Cari) of a five mile West-end section of the ODT and a member of the Clallam County Trails Advisory Committee.

Past: Chair/President of several boards, including Peninsula College, Pacific Northwest Trail Association and Forks Chamber of Commerce.

Jim Mantell, Jefferson County
Joined: 2020

PTC Focus: Work on trail projects and marketing.

Background & Hobbies: Jim is currently on the board of the Jefferson County ReCyclery. In 2018/2019, he was the President of the Cyclists of Greater Seattle, a recreational cycling club. From 2008 to 2018 he was the co-owner of NetReflector, a Seattle based market research company focused on customer experience.

For over 50 years Jim has been an active cyclist, biking on less traveled roads throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

In Jim’s own words: “Cycling improves the quality of life for both individuals and the community at large.”

Brian Anderson, Clallam County
Joined: 2016

PTC Focus: Corresponding Secretary, Constituent Database and ODT website.

Background & Hobbies: Brian spent his career in sales and marketing. Prior to retiring, he was president of Vision Bankcard, a merchant bank card provider with more than 8,500 clients. He enjoys traveling, hiking, and cycling.

In Brian’s own words: “I want to give others who love the outdoors a means to discover the wonders of the Olympic Peninsula.”

John Dolansky, Treasurer
Joined: 2010

PTC Focus: Provides the PTC with responsible financial management and reporting to enable it to succeed in achieving its mission and vision.

Background & Hobbies: Sixteen years as a controller, assistant controller, and data processing manager in various firms. Owner of John F. Dolansky CPA since 1988. Former Big Brother in Big Brothers Big Sisters; former Jaycee. John enjoys cycling, traveling, and cooking spicy food.

In John’s own words: “Ever since I retired to Sequim and the Olympic Peninsula, my hope has been to help finish the length of the ODT and showcase it to all cyclists around the world.”

Andy Stevenson, Clallam County
Joined: 2008

PTC Focus: Trail construction and maintenance west of the Elwha River.

Background & Hobbies: In addition to his PTC board responsibilities, Andy currently serves as the chairman of the Clallam County Trails Advisory Committee and is a member of the Recreation and Conservation Office WWRP Trails Advisory Committee.

He is a former president and vice president of the PTC. Andy lives on the West End, where he can usually be found cycling the local trails, tracks, and back roads. He also enjoys kayaking and hiking with his dogs. Andy is a Marine Geologist, retired from a 32 year career with the USGS.

2025 Traveler’s Journal Presentations

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