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Oly Loop GPS Tour
Latest Info and Updates
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Important Updates!!
Here's where you'll find any addendums to the tour or any temporary or permanent road closures or other events that impact the tour after the current edition's publish date. Please read thoroughly and print out this page and take with you on your tour.
Waypoint names are from the most current edition of the tour.
The "revision ride" for the 2011 edition of
the tour has been completed, and the first edition is now shipping. Repair crews are going to be hard at work this month repairing several washouts
that have been blocking roads from passage for years. Because of this,
there will be two editions of the 2011 tour... one before the repairs are
finished, and another after that will restore some routes that had to be
sidelined for the last couple of years, and will open up an altogether new route
as well. I expect to release the 2nd edition at the end of August or early
September, so if
you don't plan to ride until September or later, you may wish to order when the
2nd edition is completed.
There may be an issue with some tracks not showing up on the map page, even though they were successfully downloaded to your GPS as part of the tour.
It is a good idea to double check to see that they are all set to "Display on Map" after you download the tour. Different models do this differently, so check your instructions, but here's how to do it on the 376C (and may be the same or similar on your model):
Press Menu button twice from "Map" screen.
Scroll down to "Track".
Scroll over to "Saved" tab.
Scroll down to select the first track and press "Enter".
Confirm that there is a check mark in the box next to "Show on Map". If not, check it by scrolling down until the box is highlighted and pressing "Enter" button.
Repeat for the other tracks by scrolling to and pressing "Enter" button on the "Next" box and repeating.
Fallen Tree on Route D.
There is a tree that has fallen across the road just past waypoint RD10KR.
It is about 2 feet in diameter. Though I expect it to be cut away soon, if
it's still there you'll have to either go over or around it. There is just
a tiny bit of room to get by on one end with difficulty, as the ground slopes
away at that point. Not gonna be easy with the real big bikes.
If you're on a light bike or are with buddies, it shouldn't be a problem to lift
your bike over the tree one end at a time. If you don't cross paths with
this tree (it has been cut away), please let me know so I can delete this
warning.
Washout on Route D.
There is a washout on Route D south of Forks on the north side of the Hoh
river. It is on a section of road built on a very steep slope. A
very large section of the hillside and road has dropped several feet, and at one
end of it a large portion of the road slid down the mountain, leaving just the
narrowest bit of earth to get past it on. If you do decide to go past,
you'll probably have to remove any bag or pannier from the left side of your
bike and walk the bike past. Don't look down! It would be good to
have friends here to help each other if you're on big bikes. If you wish to bypass
this section, you can do so by continuing straight instead at waypoint RD26TL and continuing down Hwy 101 and rejoining the route farther south at waypoint
RD37TL where the north shore of the Hoh river road joins Hwy 101.
Slide on Route E.
There is a slide on Route E that is currently blocking the road, but it has a
trail suitable for motorcycles that goes up and over it's high side. It is
on State land just past waypoint RE07KR, on the way down to the paved logging
road that parallels the Clearwater river. I expect it to be cleared soon,
but you should be aware of it just in case. Use caution when going over
it. If the slide has been cleared when you get there, please let me know
so I can delete this warning.
Route W Closed, but...
Well, unfortunately it finally happened. In August of 2010, the Forest
Service permanently decommissioned the road that Route W ran along (found in
2010 and earlier editions of the tour). A sad day for sure. But for
the 2nd Edition of the 2011 tour, I have found what I believe to be the perfect
replacement for riders who wish for a more difficult and challenging section of
road like what Route W once offered. The new section leads to some
extremely scenic and remote areas and has some absolutely spectacular
views. Get some of it before the road decommissioning crews have at it.
2nd Edition coming last week of August.
Route G River Ford
It seems that the Forest Service has decided to shut down the river ford
found at the end of Route G to vehicular traffic. This has made the
approach a little steeper, due to the lack of four wheeled traffic wearing it
in, but it's still perfectly doable on a bike. If it looks like too much
for you or you don't wish to risk getting your feet (or worse) wet, just take
the bypass, which you'll find in your tour package.
Winter Route!
The full Olympic Loop GPS Tour can be enjoyed from May 1st to September 30th, weather and snowpack allowing. However, with just one small detour that is already included in the package, you can remove the date restrictions and enjoy all but 5 miles of the entire 550 mile route and the ability to enjoy 2 of the
"side routes". This will be especially useful in the fall, while there is still no snow in the hills, the maples and alders are turning spectacular colors, and summer vacationers have returned home, leaving the forest quiet and the roads wide open.
Here's what to do to enjoy the trip in the off-season:
Follow the instructions in the tour booklet for avoiding the water crossing on Route G, which you will find on the "Route G--Quinault to Wynoochee" page. That's it! Now enjoy the tour any time of year,
weather conditions permitting.
If you have any questions about the tour, please Contact Us>