Beans for Bags: Olympic Discovery Trail & Peninsula Trails Coalition

It’s the pathway to the Pacific, and it starts in our backyard!

Your Beans for Bags donations can go to this amazing 130 mile OLYMPIC DISCOVERY TRAIL. It begins in Port Townsend and ends on the shores of the Pacific Ocean with views of majestic mountains, rivers, lakes and forest. More than half of the trail is on non-motorized paths with more being added each year.

Read about the BEANS for BAGS program…

Ride The Hurricane is a challenging, recreational cycling event on Hurricane Ridge Road, in the Olympic National Park free of motorized vehicles. On August 4th, you can take a round-trip ride to the top of Hurricane Ridge from Port Angeles, Washington. The event is a benefit for the ODT and when you register online, you will also have the opportunity to donate to the either or both the Washington's National Park Fund (to support the Olympic National Park) and the Peninsula Trails Coalition (to support the Olympic Discovery Trail)!
Read more

The interactive map on the website has four trail segments to explore: East End, East Central, West Central, and West End. Events are posted, trail alerts that include construction and or natural events such as a broken tree overhanging or wildlife sightings.

Timeline of the Trail

The idea for the trail began in 1988 when three cyclists incorporated a non-profit called the Peninsula Rails Coalition. The origin story dates back to 1887 with the construction of the first railroad grades in Clallam County. By 1915 you could take the train between Port Townsend and Port Angeles. With the convenience of automobiles in 1931 passenger service was discontinued, and the railroad was used for freight and timber. In 1985 the train was completely out of service and track removal began. Railroad beds made for perfect trails, but the railroad company had sold off sections of right of ways. In 1991 the 3,000 ft. corridor that spans the Dungeness River became the first acquired official section of the ODT. With massive efforts the trestle and bridge were turned into a pedestrian walkway which is now part of Railroad Bridge Park and the Dungeness River Audubon Center. The park is owned by the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. In 1993 a critical policy plan was adopted to support non-motorized transportation projects in the northern Olympic Peninsula. The first construction grant was received in 1995 and by 1998 the first two-mile section of the trail beginning in Port Townsend opened and was named the Larry Scott Trail, which is now 6 miles long. Eventually it will be 26 miles long as it meets the Jefferson-Clallam County line.

The ODT Mission:

To promote construction, maintenance, and use of the Olympic Discovery Trail as a nationally significant, non-motorized, multi-use trail across the North Olympic Peninsula.

The ODT Vision:

To create and sustain the Olympic Discovery Trail as a world-class, multi-use, non- motorized trail system connecting communities across the North Olympic Peninsula, while serving as a catalyst for recreation, community health, transportation, and economic development.  

Mailing Address:

Peninsula Trails Coalition
P.O. Box 1836
Port Angeles, WA 98362

Read about the BEANS for BAGS program…