Pac NW Trail - I-5 to Chuckanut Dr
Key Info
(technical difficulty)
(physical difficulty)Stats
General
Also known as the Blanchard State Forest, this is a segment of the Pacific Northwest Trail between I-5 (actually crosses at exit 242) and Chuckanut Drive on the Puget Sound. With the addition of Lake Sammish Rd and a return along Colony Rd, this trail can be done in a 23 mile loop.
Well drained roads, one 1/4 mile area of creek/trail erosion (no need to get wet), and old growth and forested soils.
The trail is monitored, and information provided by www.pnt.org
Alger Bar and Grill in Alger and the Chuckanut Manor Restaurant on Chuckanut Drive.
Take exit 240 off of I -5 and park at the Alger Park and Ride lot just east of the freeway. From the P&R lot continue north on Lake Sammish Road and take a left on to Nulles Road and climb the hill. At the 3.1 mile mark from the P&R, go left and enter the gated fire road. You joined the Pacific Northwest trail when you turned onto Nulles Road. Follow the dirt road until it ends at the beginning of the single track. Motos can be here also so be careful as always.
The PNW Trail is marked periodically with a 2x5" white rectangular paint mark on trees every 100-200 yards and ocassional ribbon tape. If you haven't seen one for a while verify with your map or your GPS with the file provided. The GPS file also includes a spur to the Oyster Dome viewpoint.
Ride Reports
With snow covering all our peaks and wet weather hindering our traction, I decided to just go exploring. I found a weather window and I planned a route to cover single track at the Blanchard State Forest, along with single track at Larrabee State Park, and then enjoy the views of the Sound along...
Started late this morning at the Upper Blanchard trailhead lot and rode north along the east road, B-1000. I then climbed up to the Service Trail and to waypoint Tango. I went down the British Army Trail and then Lonely Sailor, and then climbed back up to Tango to come down Alternate Incline. The...
Went up to The Blanchard State Forest again to ride some of the trails that I couldn't last time when the rear hub failed. This time was much better and I started in the upper trailhead lot and climbed up to the Tango Waypoint using the roads and service trail. I came down the Alternate Incline T...
Started this ride at the lower Blanchard Forest trailhead lot and climbed the Lower Lily Lizard trail to the upper lot. I then took road 1000 north around Blanchard Mountain to the British Army Trail where I began the climb to the lakes and summits. About 5 miles into the ride and halfway up the...
New trail to the site. I went out to Alger yesterday morning early and parked at the Park and Ride lot off of exit 240 east of I-5. After getting ready I went north on Lake Sammish Rd and took a left at Nulle Road. At 3.1 miles from the P&R lot, you'll come to the gate for the fire road part of t...