A Ride to Round Pass

At the end of the drivable part of West Side Road

Bikes are generally not allowed in parks on trails and I know that I am forever guilty of cursing cyclists on the narrow, shadow laden, windy roads of the park. Guilty of holding up traffic and littering an obscene amount of spend "Gu" packets along the roads, a few inconsiderate bikers have started to turn me off the whole crowd. However, there are a few places where I myself will pick up a bike and ride. West Side Road makes for an excellent ride.

Kiana resting mid snow patch

Made it up to Roud Pass

The last 10 miles of the 13 mile long road have been decommissioned due to flooding and wash out, though they maintain road grade and width and lack traffic which makes them the perfect ride. To kick off July, Kiana, Alicia, Mackenzie and I piled our bikes in the back of my truck and headed up a mile past Nisqually Entrance and to the West Side Road trail head. Despite some ill fitting bikes, some patchy snow, a river crossing, and some normal teenage girl complaining we made it about five miles up to Round Pass. A climb all the way up, the trip down was a breeze, requiring minimal peddling and only quick whits to avoid pot holes or large rocks.

Avalanche Lilies pushing their way through the snow

Fish Creek Crossing

I wouldn't have minded continuing on up to Klapatche Point, but for some of the aforementioned minor hardships as well as being a little pressed for time with peoples schedules, Round Pass was our final destination. For future trips, a ride of to Klapatche could serve more as transportation to more desirable trailheads rather than an outing in and of itself. Klapatche Point is a great insertion point onto the Wonderland Trail and some very desirable parts of the park.

Headed down for ice cream