This was actually an inaugural bikepacking overnight for all three of us! It was my first trip on my new Priority 600X hardtail… “Billy”. It was Makaela’s first trip on her hardtail… “Ruby”. As for Catherine, well, it was her first bikepacking trip ever! However, she rode the veteran bikepacker, Mama Cass.
Nearly ready to go.
The loop we planned was a gravel ride that Makaela, Jana, and I had done awhile back. The intention was to put on a bikepacking overnight that was suitable for beginners and advanced beginners. The loop started near the end of Lincoln Creek Road west of Centralia. It climbed on gravel Forest roads up and over to the Doty/Dryad area, and the Willapa Hills Trail where we camped at Rainbow Falls State Park, then road back via the Willapa Hills Trail to Ceres Hill, Bunker Creek, Ingalls Rd, and back to Lincoln Creek Rd. In total, the loop is 39.1 miles with 3265 feet of elevation. Because the first day to Rainbow Falls is the majority of both the gravel and the elevation, it is just 16 miles. The first day is definitely the more “advanced beginner” level due to the climbing, but remains doable due to the shorter distance.
We had planned to park at a mysterious gravel lot that Makaela, Jana, and I had parked at before. It’s no longer a mystery. It is someone’s private property. Now there are two large RVs parked there.
No problem for us, we just went a short distance up L3000, and parked at a large pullout, right at the beginning of the gravel. Either way, we had to start with a steep climb. I got to use Billy’s 15.9” easiest gear right away. Makaela is a very strong climber, so she motored right up. At one point, I looked back, and Catherine was climbing right up too. She is very strong, but she was on a bike she had never ridden before, and on top of that, loaded down with gear. Didn’t seem to be a problem for her! Amazing!
Happy Bikepackers R Us!
The weather was perfect! As we climbed higher, we could see Mt. Rainier, then Adams, and finally St. Helens.
Rainer
Adams
Still climbing Makaela
St. Helens
Catherine and Makaela still climbing
All three…Rainier, tip of Adams, and St. Helens
Last time we did the route we turned off of L3000 onto L3200 (this was what RWGPS had routed). Then we turned off L3200 onto a road that was supposed to take us back to L3000, but dead ended. That day, we just rode L3200 all the way down to Chandler Rd. This time, however, I remade the route having us stay on L3000. This was much better! The descent was not quite as hairy, and really fun. We got all the views (not just the western side). It was definitely the better way to go.
At the bottom, we came out to Chandler Rd. Across the street we were greeted by two puppies. They were wiggling and so excited to see us. We had to go say hi.
Puppies!
Makaela in her happy place!
This one was a chunk!
We were afraid they were going to try to follow us. Chandler Road isn’t terribly busy, but still not a place for puppies. I walked my bike down their driveway, getting them to follow. There were cars at the house, but no one came out. There was a bigger dog barking (mama?), but it was chained up. I suspected the pups had escaped out of the fence. Of course, as soon as I turned around, the pups followed. We just decided we had to go, and hope they wouldn’t follow us for long. They followed until the next driveway, then ducked in there.
We got to the Willapa Hills Trail around 2:45. We had heard there was a cafe further west (Rainbow Falls was to the east) on the trail called “Owl and Olive”. I checked to see how far, and if they were open. They were open until 4:00, and just 2.6 miles away. We headed that way.
We pulled into the place to see many cars parked in the “Event Parking” area. Hmmm… something was going on. As we got closer, we could see it was a wedding. We rolled up and talked to a wedding goer. He said the wedding was done, and now it was the reception. He figured we could still come, as the reception was upstairs (the cafe and bar was downstairs). So we did. We didn’t try to order food that had to be cooked (like pizza). Instead we got some olives, fig jam, crackers, hummus, and various beverages.
The reception was upstairs in the “barn”
Oh, and I got a salted caramel cheesecake
Nice floral table decorations. They had a game of cornhole going on (we were tempted…)
Even got a glimpse of the bride!
We had a good snack, then headed back to the trail. I would definitely like to come back and try some of their other cafe items!
Once we got back to Chandler Rd, we only had another mile to Rainbow Falls. We got there about 5:00. Catherine had borrowed my Zpacks tent, so the three of us set that up together. Makaela and I had set up on my “usual” site…W2. This is, I think, the 4th or 5th time I’ve camped on this site.
Good ol’ W2.
After we all got our stuff set up, we went for a walk on the trail by the Chehalis River.
The namesake falls.
Some fairly awesome looking mushrooms.
For dinner we all managed to bring curry freeze dried meals. I had the Mountain House Yellow Curry, and both Makaela and Catherine had the Backpacker’s Pantry Kathmandu Curry. The only difference between Catherine and Makaela’s was that Catherine’s had expired approximately 11 years ago! It was…well…less than fresh! But, Catherine managed to choke down some of it. Who knew they had even been making them that long ago??? They also, back then, hadn’t spelled “Kathmandu” correctly (left out the “h”). We had a good laugh about the whole thing.
We rode 21.34 miles with 2136 feet of elevation. Almost the perfect “golden ratio”! And…we crashed a wedding! A good day all the way around!
Day 2-A Woolly Bear Rescue
We woke up to a bit of misting in the air. It was also a little chilly. Once we had our breakfast, and packed up, it was about 50 degrees. We headed back to the Willapa about 10:00. When we got out of the trees, it was a little warmer, but we still rode in our puffy jackets until we got to Ceres Hill Rd.
An interesting…sight…to start the ride.
Willapa heading East.
At the turn to Ceres Hill Rd, we stripped off the puffy jackets for the climb. Since the last time we did this climb, they have graded the road. It was very smooth, almost felt like pavement.
I think I’ve taken this photo every time.
Smooth “gravel”
The descent down the other side had also been graded. It was a fun ride down. That was the end of the gravel for the day. We still had two climbs, but they were on pavement.
The valley between the Willapa and Lincoln Creek.
There were tons of woolly bear caterpillars on the road. Many had met their end trying to cross the road (why did the caterpillar cross the road???). At the turn onto Ingalls Rd, we stopped for a snack. This guy was heading across the road.
Why???
I grabbed a stick, encouraged the little bear to climb aboard, and transported him to the other side of the road. It was just in time too, because two vehicles came by not long after. Whew! One woolly bear saved!
We made it back to the cars just before 1:00 making for a “Sub 25” hour bikepacking overnight. The last bit back to the cars was a mere 15% grade.
Just. A. Little. Further.
We rode 23.56 miles and 1355 feet of elevation. Definitely easier than yesterday.
We finished by harvesting some elderberries (Makaela makes a tincture).
This was a great overnight bikepacking trip! I would still classify it as a “Beginner/Advanced Beginner” Route. The climbing is no joke, but with the shorter miles, even if someone had to walk parts, it would still be doable. The descent is not so scary either. The pavement on Day 2 is on low traffic backroads, and a pretty ride through the valleys.
Thanks Makaela and Catherine for coming on this ride!
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