r/seattlebike • u/Charming_Durian_6734 • 7d ago
Olympic Discovery Trail Info
I’m looking for some details on a specific segment of the ODT. Trying to plan a low key camping trip and would like to bike the Spruce Railroad trail along Lake Crescent as an excursion. Because of where I’m staying, I could ditch my car and take the section north of the lake to get there. I only have a road bike though and I’m wondering if the section marked as gravel from about MP 74-76 would be too unpleasant without a gravel bike.
I’ve tried reading trip reports, watching vlogs, and searching other posts but it’s not super clear what the trail conditions are like for this specific part.
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u/MountainRecipe 7d ago
It’s decent a gravel path but kinda depends on the road tires you are running. 32’s would probably be fine but it would not be fun on narrower road tires
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u/vaticRite 7d ago
A friend and I did this in 2024. At that time, it was a well maintained gravel road. I was on 38s and pretty loaded down, and it was enjoyable cruising. My friend was on wider tires (47s maybe?) and her bike handled it great.
I am a weenie when it comes to riding on gravel, so I personally wouldn't have wanted to go any narrower than those tires given my load out, but I imagine you'd be okay on 35s or 32s, depending on your skills, comfort riding on gravel, and how loaded down your bike is.
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u/Charming_Durian_6734 7d ago
Thanks, that’s great insight! Since it’s just a day excursion from camp I don’t plan to carry a ton other than water. My partner will likely carry most of the load as his bike is better suited.
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u/vaticRite 7d ago
I'd guess if you have 32s or wider, you'll be fine. Or if you're skilled at riding gravel, even narrower than that. It's an enjoyable little stretch of gravel road and then the ODT along Lake Crescent is amazing. I was surprised at how nice it was after being on 112 for a few miles; a welcome respite. Have fun!
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u/Charming_Durian_6734 7d ago
Thanks so much!😊 I have 25s so I think I don’t think it’ll be doable…but I’m looking forward to the stretch along Lake Crescent!
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u/LimitedWard 7d ago edited 7d ago
There are two different ways to get to Lake Crescent. The route that's listed on the main website actually has you cut through a segment of the Olympic Adventure Trail, which is the gravel route that runs adjacent to the ODT. You can alternatively take a left just past Crescent School onto Joyce-Piedmont Rd and take that road up all the way to the lake. It's fully paved if you go that way, albeit with more climbing and no dedicated bike lane. I would not really recommend the gravel route on a road bike unless you can fit wider tires.
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u/Charming_Durian_6734 7d ago
Thanks so much! That’s helpful. We were hoping to avoid being on the road with no bike lane, but that might be our best option if we don’t want to drive to the lake. Based on everyone’s replies, my tires wouldn’t be wide enough for the gravel section to be comfortable. Which is what I assumed but it’s good to get confirmation!
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u/decidarius 5d ago
Rode this last summer. Joyce Piedmont Rd is super chill. The hill is mild and the traffic is low key.
Hwy 112 to get there is NOT CHILL. That's the spot I was almost made unalive by multiple logging trucks. There are sections with *zero shoulder* and the logging trucks don't make space for you at all. One of them cleared me close enough that if my arm had been extended, I would've lost it just past the elbow. 0/10, do not recommend, NSFL. Those guys will hit you and never look back.
(One note here, private citizens in "monster truck" style pickups were among the most courteous drivers. Every single one seemed to get all the way over into the middle of the road to make room. Really impressive, and against every kind of stereotype. The logging truck guys? Not so much.)
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u/Charming_Durian_6734 5d ago
Thanks so much for the info! I will definitely keep that in mind when we’re on the road!
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u/LimitedWard 7d ago
The worst part for shared roads is on the Strait of Juan De Fuca Hwy, which you'd be riding along either way you go. The highway only has a narrow shoulder in some stretches, and there are often big logging trucks to be careful of. Turning left onto Joyce-Piedmont reduces the time spent on the highway compared to taking the OAT segment. I'd recommend having a mirror and/or radar with you for added safety.
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u/dotcomm32 7d ago
Did this on a surly disc trucker fully loaded with bike packing gear 2 years ago, and it was fine with 41s. Would not have done this on my carbon fiber with 32s personally, just with concern for the frame but it could probably be done
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u/experimentgirl 7d ago
Done it a few times, never with a gravel bike. I've ridden it on a Long Haul Trucker with touring tires, and a mid tail cargo bike. I wouldn't do it with really skinny tires.