DONE! We are DONE building the new trail!! For those of you who have been following this journey, I'm sure you can imagine a tiny bit of the exhilaration we feel at finishing this major project! We have been picking away at it since 2019. 85 days were put into this project (I think).
For those of you just catching up, the original Striped Peak trail is and was lovely, but it dead ended in a parking lot. Folks either had to do an out and back on the trail, or loop back on logging roads. We have added several miles of trail (WCC did some of it, we did most) which turns the whole thing into a loop.
The folks who dedicated their time, talent, money, energy, etc into this project are nothing short of amazing human beings. We are all better trail workers for having built this trail through difficult terrain. It was a technically difficult-to-build trail. But go have a hike / bike / ride, we think we nailed it.
Next season we will turn our attention to the original trail to see what we can do about its troublesome spots. Right now that trail is closed to stock due to a safety pinch point. We will see if we can fix that starting in the fall. (spring and summer is backcountry season when we work more in the National Forest and National Park).
We are VERY PROUD of our new trail and happy to gift this to the community. This was built for stock, bikers and hikers. So remember to follow the share the trail rules and ENJOY!!
- Rebecca (Becca) Wanagel, Volunteer WTA crew leader and Port Angeles Resident. :-)
Comments
Anna Roth on Striped Peak
Woohoo! Congratulations -- that trail looks fantastic.
Posted by:
Anna Roth on Mar 08, 2022 02:28 PM
BeccaW on Striped Peak
Thank you!! I miss you! 💕
Posted by:
BeccaW on Mar 08, 2022 02:47 PM
U_dag on Striped Peak
Well done!
Posted by:
ursula.dago@gmail.com on Mar 09, 2022 09:03 AM
Joerg Zuend on Striped Peak
Thanks so much. We met a couple of times while I was biking the trails under construction. I now biked the Bunker trail in both directions. It is superbly built and even the tight turns are bike-able up hill. Well done.
I try to promote the trails on Trailforks. The entire loop is a very challenging bike ride but rideable in both direction (with few exceptions). I am blessed to have this trail almost in my backyard.
Posted by:
Joerg Zuend on Mar 12, 2022 08:00 AM
BeccaW on Striped Peak
Hi there! Yes we met several times, I'm so glad you are enjoying the final product! Could you let me know what those few exceptions are in terms of it being ridable in both directions? Are the trouble spots on our newly built trail, if so exactly where? Or are the trouble spots on the original trail that we'll do some fixing on next fall? Thanks!
Posted by:
BeccaW on Mar 13, 2022 09:05 AM
Joerg Zuend on Striped Peak
There are no trouble spots on the new trail. It is perfect. It it at points steep where the rear wheel spins out uphill if it is wet or if the tire is too much inflated. All turns are good both up and downhill.
The first turn on the peak trail to the very top is too tight. I do not think you built that trail if I recall correctly.
The old trail has a few problems. There are a few roots that are too high to step over it when going towards Salt Creek in the lower section. There is one turn in the middle section that is too tight. I think a very good rider maybe able to it. (Not me) It is fairly obvious which one.
The section just after the cove trail when going uphill is at the limit in terms of steepness especially because it is wet there all the time. I have tried to ride it but never succeeded. Maybe one day I will. In my opinion there is no need to make it more flat. It’s fun to get challenged.
Of course the stairs are not rideable uphill including the stone plate above the stairs. Downhill it can be ridden. But I am too old to risk my neck so I walk the stair steps in both directions.
Posted by:
Joerg Zuend on Mar 13, 2022 03:16 PM
BeccaW on Striped Peak
Super helpful! You are right, we did not build the spur trail. We also noticed that switchback is way too tight. We’ll go address that next fall along with the issues on the original trail. We won’t try to take any steepness out but we WILL do a lot to address drainage and large roots, it’s a muddy slippery mess. Thank you!
Posted by:
BeccaW on Mar 13, 2022 06:16 PM