Port Angeles Area

Six segments of the Olympic Discovery Trail are located in the Port Angeles area. From east to west they are:

• Robin Hill Park to Siebert Creek
• Siebert Creek to Deer Park Gateway
• Deer Park Gateway to Morse Creek
• Morse Creek to Port Angeles Waterfront trail
• Port Angeles Waterfront to Dry Creek (still being planned and developed as of 2007)

Each segment has designated parking at either end of the trail. Some parking areas have restrooms and water. Not all of these restrooms are accessible. Facilities and accessibility are documented here in the individual trail descriptions. Also, see the The Peninsula Trail Coalition website for a map of the Port Angeles area section of the Olympic Discovery trail.

Olympic Discovery Trail - Robin Hill Park to Siebert Creek

Directions:

The Robin Hill parking lot is accessed off Old Olympic Highway, just west of Kitchen Dick Road. From Old Olympic Highway, go South on Vautier Road, and then take a right onto Pinnell Road. There is ample parking available in the parking lot. Robin Hill county park is a day-use area with trails running through 155 acres of forest. It has restrooms, water, and a picnic area. See the Sequim area for a description of the park's trails.

The Siebert Creek parking lot can be reached by turning north off of Highway 101 at the Old Olympic Highway intersection six miles east of Port Angeles. Stay on Old Olympic Highway for 1.5 miles and turn left (north) onto Wild Current Way, which dead-ends at the parking lot on the east bank of Siebert Creek. Access to the trail in either direction is by heading up a long hill. Disabled folks may want to start at the Robin Hill Park area or find parking in the area off of one of the intersecting roads.

Features:

From the Robin Hill parking lot, head west on the trail skirting the county park.

The trail follows Pinnell Road for a short distance, crosses the road, and then drops down across McDonald Creek . Both the trail going down to the creek and back up are no more than a 5-7% grade, but the length of the hill may require assistance for most wheelchair users. Electric mobility scooters or wheelchairs will have no problem negotiating the hill. After that, the trail is flat all the way to Siebert Creek.

From McDonald Creek the trail passes along a wooded area until it reaches North Barr Road. It continues west alongside the road for several blocks where you will be crossing many residential driveways. Most yards are fenced, but keep a look out for dogs that aren't confined. The trail reaches an agricultural area and doglegs around pastures to Spring Road.

In the spring, mama cows and their babies are close by the trail. The trail follows Spring road north to Old Olympic Highway. Mountain and pasture views are quite lovely through this area. The trail continues on the south side of Old Olympic Highway past Lewis Road and then drops down the long, steep hill to Siebert Creek.

Olympic Discovery Trail - Siebert Creek to Deer Park Gateway

Directions:

There is designated parking at either end of this segment of the trail. Neither parking area has restrooms or water.

The Siebert Creek trailhead parking lot can be reached by turning north off of Highway 101 at the Old Olympic Highway intersection six miles east of Port Angeles. Stay on Old Olympic Highway for 1.5 miles and turn left (north) onto Wild Current Way, which dead-ends at the parking lot on the east bank of Siebert Creek.

The Deer Park Gateway parking lot can be reached by turning north off of Highway 101 at Buchanan Drive just outside of Port Angeles and turning left into the scenic overlook parking lot.

Unfortunately as starting points, these two designated parking areas are not very accessible.

The Siebert Creek trailhead parking lot is in a ravine (See photo above) and requires negotiating a long steep hill in both directions.

The Deer Park Gateway trailhead heading east toward Siebert Creek only provides a short, accessible trail to Bagley Creek. (See trip notes for possible alternative parking and routes.)

Features:

This is part of the Olympic Discovery Trail begins 3.5 miles east of Port Angeles at Buchanan Drive past US 101 and the Port Angeles Gun Club, through woods and over creeks toward the Sequim area. This section of trail ends underneath the Siebert Creek overpass. The trail is only accessible (with assistance) to Bagley Creek. If you park at Gasman Road and head west, it is accessible with assistance to Bagley Creek.

The trail winds through woods on this section.

Olympic Discovery Trail - Deer Park Gateway to Morse Creek

Directions:

Park in the small parking lot on the north side of Highway 101 at the bottom of the Morse Creek curve 3 miles east of Port Angeles, or at the larger parking lot at the scenic overlook above Morse Creek, approximately 3.5 miles east of Port Angeles.

Features:

From the Deer Park Gateway trailhead, heading east toward Morse Creek affords a scenic mountain vista. The .5 mile trail traverses the hill switchbacks down to the Morse Creek trailhead.

Because of the length of the switchbacked trail, you might want to take in the view from your car at the Deer Park scenic overlook, and then drive down to the Morse Creek trailhead parking to continue the west-bound trail towards Port Angeles.

There is a sanikan portable restroom near the bottom of the trail, but it is not handicap accessible.

Olympic Discovery Trail - Morse Creek to Port Angeles Waterfront Trail

Directions:

Park in the small parking lot on Strait View Drive on the north side of Highway 101. The turn off is at the bottom of the Morse Creek curve 3 miles east of Port Angeles. Be careful as many vehicle accidents happen on this section of Highway 101.

From the parking lot, cross the street to the restored railroad trestle, accessed via a long accessible ramp.

Features:

The 400' long trestle passes 25' high over Morse Creek. Depending on the time of year, as you view the creek from the bridge, you may spot people fishing from the banks of the creek.

After the bridge, the gravel trail gradually descends northwest for about a mile through Morse Creek Valley. Intially, you can hear the traffic of Hwy 101 and see the back yards of residential homes through the foliage. The trail is lined with alders, maples, wild roses and other plants, which makes great bird habitat. Look for American Dippers at the creek and Hairy Woodpeckers, American Goldfinches, fox and song sparrows along the trail.

Soon you leave the highway noise and pass by an impressive stand of big-leaved maples. This short section of the trail is still gravel and makes a rather rough ride for skinny wheelchair tires. It is scheduled to be covered in asphalt 2007-08.

After about a mile, the trail becomes asphalt and shortly you reach the Strait of Juan DeFuca. There is a park bench here to enjoy the view. You can see the Ediz Spit, Striped Peak , Victoria , and on clear days, Mount Baker in the distance. For those that can walk, a path leads down to the water.

The trail follows the Strait of Juan de Fuca waterfront westward to the old Rayonier Mill Site. A variety of waterfowl feed close to the shore such as Harlequin ducks, Western and red-necked Grebes, and Pacific Loons. You might also see Kingfishers, Bald Eagles, and Cooper's hawks.

There is a short, "storm bypass" off the trail, which provides an elevated view of the water. Wheelchair users may need assistance in moving through the loose gravel, but if you can get up there, the views are terrific! During stormy weather stay off this section as waves can throw rocks on the gravel path. The lower asphalt trail bypasses this area.

A small stream is located near the end of the storm bypass and you may see river otters near here on the rocks, or in the water.

The trail continues along the waterfront and through the old Rayonier Mill site. At this point, the trail reverts back to gravel. This short stretch is scheduled to be paved 2007-08. The trail leaves the old Rayonier Mill site and continues on the paved, Port Angeles Waterfront Trail. 

Port Angeles Waterfront Trail

Directions:

You can access the trail from several parking areas in Port Angeles. A good starting point is the city pier on the waterfront at Lincoln Street and Railroad Avenue (follow the signs for the Victoria ferry). There is designated parking and an accessible rest room. Optional starting points include:

• Port Angeles Boat Haven on Marine Drive
• Ediz Hook at boat launch parking
• Ennis Street lot at the former Rayonier Mill
• Francis Street Park - at the end of Francis Street (turn north off Front Street)

Features:

This is a true waterfront trail with views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Park benches are found along the way.The asphalt rail-trail starts out at the vertex of waterfront congestion near the ferry terminal to Victoria and the city pier on Railroad Avenue. There are shops, motels, and restaurants, as well as a viewing platform and a sandy beach. There is also access at the north end of Francis Street. There are two different directions to go from this starting point with completely different atmospheres.

If you head west the trail is a wide paved sidewalk on the north side of Railroad Avenue. Follow the signs and pathway as it winds around onto Marine Drive past old industrial areas and a marina. There are many ships, large and small, on view. In about a mile the trail turns north out onto Ediz Hook. You will pass by a grassy area with a viewpoint of the bay and then the trail crosses over to the north side of Marine Drive and enters the Dai-showa Mill. Be very careful passing through the mill site and watch carefully for the trail markings on the asphalt. This is a working mill with lots of noisy machinery. Stay between the yellow lines and watch carefully for trucks crossing.

Beyond the mill the trail is adjacent to Marine Drive on the south side. There is a boat launch and park and just before the coast guard station is a picnic area and rest rooms are available.. The views from here are spectacular: looking southwest at the Olympic Mountains, north to Vancouver Island, or east to Mt. Baker. This is a great place to come and relax and enjoy being out on the salt water with all of its wildlife and boat traffic.

If you head east the trail is right on the water for 1.5 miles. After a few moments on the trail, you are away from all the noise and congestion and can continue peacefully along the water's edge barely 5 feet above the water at high tide. You are so close you can smell the salt air, hear the ferry whistles, and view the distant mountains of Vancouver Island. On a clear day you can even see the city of Victoria across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The trail is shaded by the steep sand stone cliffs of Port Angeles on the south and can be cold and damp most days. The trail continues at the old Rayonier Mill site, with a short graveled section continuing on to the Morse Creek section of the Olympic Discovery Trail.

Other Info:

The trail is part of the Olympic Discovery Trail that someday will connect Port Angeles with Port Townsend.

Living Forest Nature Trail (ONP)

Directions:

In Port Angeles on US 101, turn south on Race Street. Follow 1 mile to Olympic National Park Visitor Center. From the parking lot take the sidewalk behind the Visitor Center past an old log cabin. There is an initial switchback up to the looped trail.

Features:

Living Forest Nature Trail is a short .5-mile loop through the lowland forest. The Living Forest spur is handicapped accessible with assistance. A longer spur goes south up the Peabody Creek valley about 3 miles.

Other Info:

The Visitor Center has exhibits on natural and cultural history of the park, including a lowland forest display, braille exhibit, programs and displays sound effects. The park orientation slide presentation is shown on request with a large script available. 24 hour recording for TDD users: (360)452-0306.