Beyond My Doorstep: John Wayne Trail 2014: Day 11

Tidal flats just outside Salt Creek Campground

My final morning of riding began beautifully. However, as I got closer to Forks it got more overcast and rainy. I left while everything was perfectly still. Cutting south toward Crescent Lake, I climbed into the Olympic mountains a bit. The lake was gorgeous. I can see why it was a sacred lake for local tribes.

Last view of the Straight of Juan de Fuca

Heading up in the mountains

Crescent lake, with a few raindrops

On a trail again

The trail around the lake wasn't really a bike trail. It was rocky in spots and had some downed trees. But it was certainly passable. I only feel sorry because it is impolite and not ecologically wise to ride on a hiking trail. In this case though, I felt cutting through this 2 mile trail was the best choice to get to Hwy 101 and continue to the coast.

Not really meant for bikers

Pretty lake

Cool footbridge over a swimming hole

Loving life

Thought about jumping in, but it was too cold

Looking east toward Port Angeles

Yummy

On pavement again

After a short paved sections, the trail joined Hwy 101, heading east to Forks. It had already sprinkles a little but I could see lightening ahead an knew I would probably be getting wet. All went well, except a few moments of confusion with drivers. There are no shoulders on the bridges and some well-meaning drivers will slow down and insist you go ahead of them... thoughtful, but unnecessary on a mostly empty highway.

On the road again, but storm clouds ahead

Heading into Forks

I finally made it to Forks, and took a right to head down to La Push beach. This was the most dangerous part of my ride. The road was really curvy, thin, and wet. There were also many cars. I will never ride that road again! I did make it to the ocean without incident and stopped quite a while to enjoy my achievement. That is a pretty beach where I would love to sea-kayak. I took some pictures of the Twilight paraphernalia, although that was all found in the Forks area. I got the feeling that the tribes in La Push are not particularly pleased with being known as a tribe of werewolves. Then again, I never asked. I did talk with a nice girl on a shuttle back to Forks. We chatted about the choice to leave or stay on tribal land. It seemed to me that "to stay or go" is a particularly difficult decision for people on tribal lands.

Scary road to the beach

Silly sign at a campground

And again...

Hello, La Push

I can see the ocean!

Made it!

Thanks for not falling apart, bike!

La Push beach

Back in Forks, I planned my trip back home. I didn't want to make anyone pick me up because it is a surprisingly long drive from Portland up to Forks. You have to drive around all of the mountains and lakes and can't go very fast at times. Anyway, I found that I had missed the last bus of the evening. So I got some dinner, chilled, and got a place to sleep. Unfortunately, every hotel was full. I ended up paying a little bit to sleep in a hotel lawn.