This is a great ride in a beautiful old growth forest. The Skokomish River valley is an unspoiled low elevation rain forest. The first approx. 5 miles of this ride are smooth and fast. Each mile after
This is a great ride in a beautiful old growth forest. The Skokomish River valley is an unspoiled low elevation rain forest. The first approx. 5 miles of this ride are smooth and fast. Each mile after this is more and more technical and overgrown, until the trail deteriorates and you end up pushing way too much after the 8 mile marker.
There are a couple spur trails along the way which go off to the right which allow bail-outs to the nearby FS road; the easiest one is the one at about 5 miles in.
This is a great trail to take athletic beginners or advanced beginners -- sure you drop into the valley and eventually have to climb out but once on the valley floor the trail is smooth and "easy" for the first 3 miles -- after that it gets progressively harder. Your beginner can let you know when it's too hard and time to turn around.
Even though the final elevation gain is only 600 feet or so, with all the combined ups and downs it's closer to 2,000 feet when all is said and done.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic/recreation-nu/trails/LowerSouthForkSkokomish.pdf
How to Find It
Going north on US-101 from Olympia: about 10 miles past the junction for SR-3, go left onto Skokomish Valley Road. At 5 miles or so take the right fork (this is road 23). The road turns to gravel for a few miles but then surprisingly turns back to a paved road. About 10 miles further you cross the Skokomish River and you'll see a junction on the right for the Brown Creek Campground and another spur road. Turn left and stay on the main road.
In another 0.2 mile is one of the trailheads for the Skokomish Trail, but only take this one if you like the thought of about a quarter mile of steep hike-a-bike. Keep going 0.7 mile, and up a steep hill, and park at the trailhead next to the LeBar Horse Camp and park here. (Figure on 30-45 minutes from Rt 101)
Typical Conditions
This trail is maintained by a few different groups (horse folks and WTA) and is good up to 7.5 miles. It is relatively low elevation which means it is usually snow free earlier than most but does sustain lots of deadfall etc over each winter. A call to the ranger station about conditions can ease your mind. It is in deep forest so when those ridge rides are too dusty this is a good alternative.
Advocacy & Stewardship
WTA works here now and then. If you're a local it would be a good idea to show up and let them know that riders care about this trail.
Turn by Turn
From the parking lot, take the trail until it intersects with the Skokomish River trail. Follow this over a hump and down down down to the valley. Cruise along a smooth trail in incredible old growth. Cross a bridge in about 3 or 4 miles. From here the trail gets technically harder and harder. Expect lots of ups and downs
