Mini Hill Holland
Description
The Mini Hill Holland Route is approximately 14 miles long, all on paved surfaces – roads and the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT). The ride begins and ends at the Dungeness Audubon Center in Railroad Bridge Park, at the end of W. Hendrickson Rd. in Sequim.
This can be an active area with cyclists, walkers, dogs, birders, and all sorts of visitors on any day. Many times, though, you’ll have it to yourself. It’s just the luck of the draw. Due to this activity, preferred parking (if you drive in), is either in the bus lot on the west side of the road just before entering the park, or in the lot on the east side of the road just at the entrance. The park is open dawn to dusk. The Olympic Discovery Trail passes through the park over Railroad Bridge.
This short moderately hilly route is ideal for a brief challenge when you’re pressed for time. We follow the ODT out of the park east to N. Sequim Ave. Turning north, you’ll follow this street until Medsker Rd., where you’ll turn east and start a gentle ascent.
At the intersection of Medsker and Holland, turn to the south. Watch carefully for deer, which are numerous in this area at all times of year, and all times of the day. Turning the curve to the east, you’ll find yourself on a delightful descent which, after you round the curve, brings you face to face with a short steep ascent.
Once at the crest, catch your breath and follow Holland Rd. to the intersection with Port Williams Rd. Turn east toward Sequim Bay, then turn south on Schmuck Rd. If you’d like to add another gentle hill, you could take Port Williams Rd. to its end at Marlon Nelson County Park on Sequim Bay. Again, watch for deer coming across the road, especially early in the morning. This is a beautiful place to see Mt. Baker, Protection Island, and especially in the fall and winter, flocks of migrating birds such as brant and American widgeons.
At the end of Schmuck Rd., turn right up the hill on Washington Harbor Rd. As you ride, note all the dairy cows in the stalls below you. There are only 2 working dairy farms remaining in Clallam County, one of which is Maple View Farm. On the ridge to your left, you can often hear ravens calling to one another.
At the intersection with W. Sequim Bay Rd., turn east, taking the gradual incline to Keeler Rd. Turn south and take the short sharp uphill to the traffic circle at Jones Farm-Lofgrin Rd. This short cut to the Olympic Discovery Trail will lead you back to Simdars Rd., where you will again turn south to meet the Trail.
Follow the Olympic Discovery Trail west all the way back to the starting point at the Dungeness Audubon Center at Railroad Bridge Park.
