Packwood "Un-Meeting" Route Sheets

Next weekend is the Bicycle Quarterly “Un-Meeting” in Packwood. The weather forecast is great: warm during the days, a little cooler at night, sunshine. Bring sunscreen! Here are a few things about logistics:
Getting there: Here is a route from the nearest train station in Centralia to Packwood.
For those riding from Seattle, there are several routes, either via the Green River Trail, Enumclaw and Cayuse Pass, or via Sumner, Eatonville and the Nisqually valley. We’ll probably take the latter, so we may see you out there on Friday.

Meeting is at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13,  at the Packwood library (above, right in the center of town, across the street from the Hotel Packwood and the Packwood Campground).

Here are three rides in the area that we plan to do. Please be aware that the terrain is very mountainous and challenging. Don’t overestimate your capabilities! There is no cell phone service, and nobody to pick you up if you cannot make it.

1. Packwood, Skate Creek Road, Longmire, Paradise (Mt. Rainier National Park). A scenic road, all paved except a short stretch of smooth gravel to get into the park (through the backdoor). 52 km/ 33 miles round-trip. Extension to Paradise (4500+ ft climb) possible, for a total of 90 km/60 miles round-trip. Lunch available at Longmire and Paradise lodges (sit-down restaurant). Return the way you came (preferred), or by descending to Box Canyon, Ohanapecosh, Packwood (last 8 miles on busy highway). Click here for map, and here for route sheet.
2. Packwood, High Rock, Longmire, Paradise (Mt. Rainier Natl. Park). Same as 1, but going over the top of the ridge at High Rock, rather than in the valley at Skate Creek. Adds beautiful views, and gravel. 76 km/48 miles round-trip. Extension to Paradise (4500+ ft climb) possible, for a total of 117 km/73 miles round-trip. Lunch available at Longmire and Paradise lodges (sit-down restaurant). Return the way you came (preferred), or by descending to Box Canyon, Ohanapecosh, Packwood (last 8 miles on busy highway). Click here for map, and here for route sheet.
3. Packwood, Walupt Lake, Babyshoe Pass, (Trout Lake), Randle. A long gravel climb, a beautiful mountain lake, Babyshoe Pass. Plenty of gravel. Possibility to turn around at Walupt Lake (73 km/45 miles round-trip). 145 km/90 miles with no services for most of the ride. Extension to the remote Trout Lake with its diner famous for blackberry shakes offers services, but full distance is 223 km/140 miles. Click here for map, and here for route sheet.

Please print the route sheets for the rides you plan to do, since we’ll only have a few at the start.
On Saturday night, there will be a campfire at the Packwood Campground. On Sunday, we’ll ride back to Seattle.
About the Bicycle Quarterly “Un-Meeting”: The “un-meeting” isn’t an organized event. There is no entry fee, no services will be provided, there are no rules, and there is no insurance or liability of any kind. The goal is to meet like-minded cyclists and to have a good time. We hope to see you there!