Early on Sunday I drove east on I-90 heading toward some clouds that were certainly looming low and ominous.  As I exited the highway and made the short drive to Rattlesnake Lake, a steady rain started.  Looks like it was going to be a wet day.  I noticed the sign for the new Olallie State Park trail in late August doing a long 25 mile training ride.  Getting back and rested from my trip to Montana, I was ready for another dose of climbing pain.

Setting off from the car, the rain made for a wet start to the ride along the rail trail.  Reaching the newly-installed trail kiosk after two miles, I dropped into low gear and made my way up the initial trail entrance.  Grinding up the smooth singletrack, this well laid out climbing trail would march up over 3000 feet in a little over five miles (Ugh . . .).  Settling into a nice pace, the tranquil forest put my mind at ease and provided some great cover from the rain.  The trail was firm and well graded with very few wet spots.  Traversing up the mountain contours the trail had nice recovery stretches interspersed between sets of switchbacks.  As I gained elevation, the temperature dropped and I started to see small patches of snow just off the trail.  Passing a couple of the scenic overlooks, the foggy/rainy weather didn’t allow for distant views of the valley below.

Heading due west, I followed a long section of exposed, rocky trail that had a nice downhill run.  Climbing again, the trail was more snowed in higher up and I stopped at the junction with Mt. Washington Trail.  Given my toes were completely frozen I made this my turnaround point and started the slow, careful return.  The downhill route was much more enjoyable.  It was nice getting any early start on the trail as there were few riders heading up.  But, coming back down midmorning, there were large groups coming up that I had to stop for.  Winding down switchbacks and cruising back down the final flowy stretch of trail I arrived back at the kiosk and turned back on the gravel rail trail toward the parking lot.

What a great trail, I really wish I had hit this earlier in the summer when it was drier (and warmer . . .).  With several miles still to be opened, this will make for a great long, climbing ride.  The out-and-back route can be crowded so be prepared on the return trip to yield to uphill traffic.  The cool thing about the lower trailhead is the nice warmup you get on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, which you could certainly extend before or after for some serious mileage.  On weekends, get an early start to get a parking spot (Discovery Pass Required for the lot east of Rattlesnake Lake) and beat the crowds.

Olallie State Park AllTrails Map