Bon Jon Pass Ride - June 2007
I've wanted to head up further into the Olympics by bike and this was one of those pretty nice days that I had to go for it. Weather was really pleasant coming down from Port Townsend but the mountains were socked in a bit as I headed toward them. It's about 25 miles to the start of the climb up from Quilcene.
Took Highway 20 south to Highway 101 south to Quilcene. Nice shoulders, not too much traffic and some great views along the way. Clouds kept the sun popping in and out so there were lots of interesting shadows played out in the fields. Stopped at the little convenience store just north of Quilcene proper for water and snacks.
At this point, you have to ride back a couple miles to Lord's Lake Loop Rd. and go up there. I've ridden this enough, a very sweet paved climb for about 4-5 miles through the trees. It comes to a T-intersection at Lord's Lake (resevoir) and becomes gravel. If you head right you continue on the same road and it drops down again to Highway 101. Today I get to go left and head up Forest Service Rd. 28 to Bon Jon Pass at about 3000 feet.
Basically the next 8 miles are up the gravel road, winding back and forth with only the last couple of miles having an increased grade. The road condition was very smooth and no wash-outs or new gravel. Could have done this on 25s.
Made it to the pass at about 12:30 p.m. and broke out the Triscuits and cheese. The wind had picked up and two layers of wool jerseys with arm and kneewarmers was just enough. Met a guy who was up there to scatter his father's ashes and wondered if it would be OK. I told him it was really just him and now me that knew about it, so no worries.
My original plan was to head down FS 28 and come out on Palo Alto Rd. To my right was FS 2810 to the Mt. Zion trailhead, but that would bring me down too low I thought, so I headed straight on 28.
Within about two miles I found the road closed. Current maps I had showed it as a secondary road now (with 2810 being the now dominant route) after the winter damage the last few years, but still passable. I took a little hike down it and decided it was too overgrown to make it today. Took a left on a smaller spur 010 thinking it may reconnect, but after a mile of diminishing double track, I opted to turn around.
This was a bummer. I had no tent or bag, but did have enough to stay out for the night if necessary, but by the time I road back the few miles to Bon Jon it was near 2:00 p.m. I decided to skip heading north and went back down to the interesection with FS 27 going south.
This proved to be a great plan, had a nice downhill through the trees and instead of bushwacking I was cruising! The road surface was still very smooth and well-packed and once past Deadfall Creek it started to climb again. This was to be the case for the next few miles as it wound it's way up to about 3750 feet. The higher up though meant that the views got better and I could see the Cascades, Puget Sound and the Hood Canal.
Along the way I saw a few roads to explore another time as they went up higher on the surrounding ridges. Once I'd reached the high point it was a short drop down to FS 190 which is the road up to the Mt Townsend trailhead.
And here's where the road actually turned into pavement! Ancient chipseal to be sure, but basically I was looking at about 15 miles of downhill to Highway 101 on it. Not only that, the sun was coming out too. I still had to add a third wool shirt and a jacket, but the sun was trying.
For the next hour I just rolled down the hill. Every 1000 feet I dropped I could take off another layer. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was in there. Haven't been on this road for over a decade and now I had it to myself to enjoy. The Big Quilcene Trail is also accessed off this road as is Tunnel Creek.
Toward the bottom it turns to smooth gravel for a few miles as you exit the National Forest boundary and then out past the quarry. Finally on Penny Creek Rd I came to Highway 101 about a mile south of Quilcene.
It was a shock to see all the traffic after having nearly 6 hours of quiet, but I was hungry and made my way to Peninsula Foods for a Coke and some snacks before heading the 25 miles back home. A bit of a headwind and some climbs on the way back, but the weather was now warm and sunny. I actually took off my knee warmers.
Saw a car at the store with this written on the side: "Kiss Your Ash Goodbye - Creamated Ash Scattering" with a phone number. Strange coincidence?
Center Valley was lovely, with tractors pulling hay cutters and the smell of fresh cut grass - perfect for the start of summer. I rolled in about 7:15 p.m. to a delicious dinner and a beer. What a perfect day!
Ended up around 95 miles total and now I have some new places to explore after seeing what the terrain is like.
One could also ride a more knobby tire and take in some of the single track that's available and save on fuel. Doubt that would be very popular with any mountain bikers though....
I've wanted to head up further into the Olympics by bike and this was one of those pretty nice days that I had to go for it. Weather was really pleasant coming down from Port Townsend but the mountains were socked in a bit as I headed toward them. It's about 25 miles to the start of the climb up from Quilcene.Took Highway 20 south to Highway 101 south to Quilcene. Nice shoulders, not too much traffic and some great views along the way. Clouds kept the sun popping in and out so there were lots of interesting shadows played out in the fields. Stopped at the little convenience store just north of Quilcene proper for water and snacks.
At this point, you have to ride back a couple miles to Lord's Lake Loop Rd. and go up there. I've ridden this enough, a very sweet paved climb for about 4-5 miles through the trees. It comes to a T-intersection at Lord's Lake (resevoir) and becomes gravel. If you head right you continue on the same road and it drops down again to Highway 101. Today I get to go left and head up Forest Service Rd. 28 to Bon Jon Pass at about 3000 feet.Basically the next 8 miles are up the gravel road, winding back and forth with only the last couple of miles having an increased grade. The road condition was very smooth and no wash-outs or new gravel. Could have done this on 25s.Made it to the pass at about 12:30 p.m. and broke out the Triscuits and cheese. The wind had picked up and two layers of wool jerseys with arm and kneewarmers was just enough. Met a guy who was up there to scatter his father's ashes and wondered if it would be OK. I told him it was really just him and now me that knew about it, so no worries.My original plan was to head down FS 28 and come out on Palo Alto Rd. To my right was FS 2810 to the Mt. Zion trailhead, but that would bring me down too low I thought, so I headed straight on 28.
Within about two miles I found the road closed. Current maps I had showed it as a secondary road now (with 2810 being the now dominant route) after the winter damage the last few years, but still passable. I took a little hike down it and decided it was too overgrown to make it today. Took a left on a smaller spur 010 thinking it may reconnect, but after a mile of diminishing double track, I opted to turn around.
This was a bummer. I had no tent or bag, but did have enough to stay out for the night if necessary, but by the time I road back the few miles to Bon Jon it was near 2:00 p.m. I decided to skip heading north and went back down to the interesection with FS 27 going south.This proved to be a great plan, had a nice downhill through the trees and instead of bushwacking I was cruising! The road surface was still very smooth and well-packed and once past Deadfall Creek it started to climb again. This was to be the case for the next few miles as it wound it's way up to about 3750 feet. The higher up though meant that the views got better and I could see the Cascades, Puget Sound and the Hood Canal.
Along the way I saw a few roads to explore another time as they went up higher on the surrounding ridges. Once I'd reached the high point it was a short drop down to FS 190 which is the road up to the Mt Townsend trailhead.And here's where the road actually turned into pavement! Ancient chipseal to be sure, but basically I was looking at about 15 miles of downhill to Highway 101 on it. Not only that, the sun was coming out too. I still had to add a third wool shirt and a jacket, but the sun was trying.For the next hour I just rolled down the hill. Every 1000 feet I dropped I could take off another layer. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was in there. Haven't been on this road for over a decade and now I had it to myself to enjoy. The Big Quilcene Trail is also accessed off this road as is Tunnel Creek.
Toward the bottom it turns to smooth gravel for a few miles as you exit the National Forest boundary and then out past the quarry. Finally on Penny Creek Rd I came to Highway 101 about a mile south of Quilcene.
It was a shock to see all the traffic after having nearly 6 hours of quiet, but I was hungry and made my way to Peninsula Foods for a Coke and some snacks before heading the 25 miles back home. A bit of a headwind and some climbs on the way back, but the weather was now warm and sunny. I actually took off my knee warmers.Saw a car at the store with this written on the side: "Kiss Your Ash Goodbye - Creamated Ash Scattering" with a phone number. Strange coincidence?
Center Valley was lovely, with tractors pulling hay cutters and the smell of fresh cut grass - perfect for the start of summer. I rolled in about 7:15 p.m. to a delicious dinner and a beer. What a perfect day!
Ended up around 95 miles total and now I have some new places to explore after seeing what the terrain is like.
One could also ride a more knobby tire and take in some of the single track that's available and save on fuel. Doubt that would be very popular with any mountain bikers though....