How long is Dosewallips Road?
Usa, north-america
13.84 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Dosewallips River Road, chilling in Washington's Olympic National Park, Jefferson County. It used to be an 8.6-mile stretch of easy driving into the park, leading to campgrounds and trailheads galore.
Now, here's the twist: Back in '02, Mother Nature threw a serious curveball. A massive washout wiped out a 300-foot chunk of the road, leaving a gaping hole where asphalt used to be. So, while the first few miles are paved (and in okay condition), and the unpaved section *was* passable in dry weather, those days are gone, baby.
Can you still *reach* Dosewallips Campground? Sort of! You can park near the washout and then hike, bike, or horseback your way along the remaining road-turned-path. Expect some rocky obstacles at the washout, but beyond that, it transforms into a sweet trail through the forest, hugging the river and leading to those lovely backcountry spots.
Is it open year-round? Mostly, for the non-motorized folks, at least. But be warned: snow, fallen trees, or flooding can turn parts of the trail into an obstacle course.
So, why hasn't anyone fixed it? Well, being smack-dab in Olympic National Park puts some serious limits on major construction. Rebuilding would cost a fortune *and* mess with the environment. So, for now, it’s staying wild and untamed.
What's the draw? Dosewallips Road is a testament to nature's power. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most rewarding adventures are the ones that require you to leave the car behind and embrace the journey on foot. Its very inaccessibility is part of its magic.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 13.84 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
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